St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-04-19
Bessie and Deacon Fox.

HOW TO MAKE A REAL NICE APOLOGY.
Edith Haywood in Christian Unon)
''Please, sir, give me ride"
Deacon Fox stopped his horse and
peered round the side of his old buggy.
On the road stood little girl, the top
of her head about even with the wheel
of the deacon's carriage, and by her
side was a big basket much too heavy
for her little arms.
''What's all this, what's all this n
cried the deacon sharply. "What are
you stopping me on the road for? ell y
81 thought perhaps you would give
me ride" said the little girl looking
rather frightened. ave are both going
the same way, and my basket is awful
heavy; just lift it and see."
The deacon stared.
''May get in ?" she continued, scram-
bling up, basket and all, and taking the
empty seat beside him.
And never a word did the deacon
say, but he gave old Dobbin, who had
been pIacidly switching the flies of
with his tail, such a sharp touch of the
whip that away they went rattling
along the road, and almost bouncing
out of the carriage. Then the deacon
turned and looked at his little compan-
ion, beginning with the pink sun-bon-
net, and cOntiding blue eyes beneath,
and ending with the little dusty boots
that we're resting on the lid of the
basket.
Hump said the deacon, ''are you
one of the school children ?"
eyes," said blue eyes, looking up, 81
am Bessie Bly,. Don't you remember
missed in the multiplication table when
you examined us? But l knew it; il
was only because you hurried me So"
"Well, well, Nell," said the deacon
to himself, "things have come to pref
ty pass" and he shook his head sadly
81 wonder what this generation will be
up to next"
You see the deacon had no little girls
or boys of his own, and the school chill
dren generally crossed the road when
they saw him coming, for they all felt
an awesome dread of Mr.. Fox. 1t was
he who examined them at the end OF
school. 1t was he who punished the
naughty boys, and reprimanded the
naughty girls; and it was he who al
ways asked them terrible questions
when he came to call upon their man.
mas. So it was strange sight to see
the old deacon, with his keen eyes
twinkling beneath his bushy eyebrows,
and his stern, hard face, driving in his
old buggy, with one of the school chill
dren and n market basket by his side.
They drove along some little distance
in silence, and then the deacon felt his
sleeve pulled by gentle and rather tim
id fingers. He looked down and two
large, blue eyes met his.
"AIe YOU crOss,n said Bessie, "cOs |
asked for ride ?"
'Tut, tut child" said the deacon.
"Then, if you amt, why don't you
talk to me 2" continued Bessie, "and
ask me who discovered America You
always ask us that"
"Then it is to be hoped you know by
this time," said the deacon. Do you go
to Sunday school, child ?"
"Oh, yes" said Bessie, folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs as
though she were about to repeat lesson.
"What do you learn there ?" asked
the deacon.
81 learn to do unto others as | would
they should do unto me-" replied Bes-
sic, glibly, "and to love my neighbor
as myself"
$50 you learn all that" said the dea-
con. Well that's something; and who
is your neighbOr? Does he go black
berrying with you ?"
"Oh, yes," said Bessie, laughing, "but
then he is my real next door neighbor,
you know. 1t don't mean am to love
him, for of course | should do that, but
it means | am to love everybody. Even
you"
"Well," said the deacon looking down
at her, chow are you going to manage
about that ?'
"Why, must love you, of course u
replied Bessie. "Do you mind very
much ?n
eve must do as the Sunday school
says" replied the deacon, and then he
laughed; though what there was to
laugh at Bessie couldn't for the life OF
her think.
On they went, old Dobbin, Bessie,
and the deacon, now up hill and now
down, till they came to tiny cottage
standing under the shadow of big
house.
"Here's where l live," said Bessie,
"and there's where you live. Isn't it
convenient ?" and she kissed her hand
to the deacon and skipped down. He
handed her the basket, and Bessie, open
ing the gate and calling out, "GOod
by walked up the path that led to the
cottage door.
On the step sat a boy, little bigger
than Bessie, whistling to himself. ''Turn
around" he said to her as she drew near.
81 want to look at your wings.n
''Wings 7" repeated Bessie, her eyes
wide with amazement.
ayes, wings. Haven't you been rid
ing with the deacon l expected no
less.n
81 have had very pleasant ride, y
said Bessie with dignity, and she passed
by her brother and entered the house.
"Well, Bessie" said her mother, who,
tea-kettle in hand, was busy making
the tea, 81 am glad to see you back. |
have been thinking of you all the after
noon, walking so far with that heav !
basket sit down, child, and rest"
But before Bessie could answer, Aunt
Jemima rushed in with cap-strings hy-
ing. She had been sitting in the win
dow, and saw the buggy drive up.
"Sakes alive sister," she cried, "Bes-
sizes been driving with the deacon, and
he handed her the basket with bis own
hands, 1
"With the deacon 2" repeated Mrs.