Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-05-22
Never mind said Bessie, 'I'll g

iibht Ill ~ 10 'SiJ p"'''
So the old lady opened the dining
room door, and Bessie walked in. She
had never been in such big room be
lore IN her life, and there, at one enc
of large table, with his breakfast be-
fore him sat the deacon all alone.
Good morning. said Bessie, stand
lug timidly in the doorway, with hel
bonnet in her hand. l have come to
see you.'
The deacon looked up greatly surpris'
ed, and then he laughed as he had
laughed the day before-a short, queer
laugh.
Does the Sunday schoo! tell you to
do this, too p he asked.
No. said Bessie, thinking how she
should bring in her apologize
We'll, come in, child, come in he
said impstently, and sit down.
Bessie came in, and taking one Of the
big chairs opposite the deacon watched
him 6ll plate with all sorts Of goot
things.
DO you eat your dinner as well as
your breakfast ali alone? p she asked al
last Haven't you any little girls mol
boys-not one?'
Not One.'
If | had known that she went on
looking at him wistfully, l would have
brought my breakfast in pail and eat
en- it with YOU
Suppose you try this, said the dea
con, handing her the plate he had filled
Bessie wasn't hungry, but she though
it would be impolite to refuse, so she
took it, and she aud the deacon ate theil
breakfast together, she at the head o
the table and he at the foot.
Il am very sorry you are all alone,
began Bessie after moments silence
Wouldn't YOU like a little girl lik'
me-?
And what good do little girls lik'
YOU do = asked the deacon.
"Chr none at all said Bessie ; 'on
IL if you had one she could love yoI
lots
She could said the deacon, will
something Of a sigh, and after that h'
let Bessie do all the talking until th'
old housekeeper came to the door an
the horse was waiting ut the gate. lhel
what do you suppose the deacon said
Nothing less than this We'll, Bessi
how would you like TO take another rid
home with me:'
oh I'd like it lots, said Bessie, jump
ins up and clapping her hands.
And this time you invite me. i don
invite you
Certainly, said the deacon. 1 IN
vite you > and out they went, and Bcs
sic scrambled up once more INTO IT,
cid buggy.
The, had a merry ride home, for tn
deacon's hat blew off and he had t
chase it along the road. Bessie laugh
ed till the tears rolled down her checks
and even the deacon smiled when h
was once more seated at Ier side.
When they drove up to the door c
the cottage Mrs. BLY, met them.
She thanked the deacon TOR bringin
Bessie home, aud then turning to tn
little girl, who had jumped down afte
giving the deacon a kiss for thanks
asked her if she had apolosized pre.ti
ly,
There said Bessie, 1 thought ha
forgotten something
You don't mean to say that you for
got to tell him what you went up ther
for y cred ber mother. Why, Bessie
what could he have thought OF YOU ??
L am sorry, mama, said Bessie sol
rowlully, but never mind, l will 80 u
again tomorrow | like to apologize
That Bessie did not do. but, wonder
ful to relate, the deacon came to Sc
her. In fact, she aud the deacon be
came such fast friends that the neigh
bors ceased to wonder al seeing eros
old Mr.. Fox driving about with one
the school.children seated by bis side
Only Aunt Jemima could not forge
Bessie's first ride, and would alway
shake her head when she saw them to
.ether, au d say, Well, well! To thin
it should all have turned out so beaut
fully