Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-03-11
Bessie's Ride with Deacon
Fox.
please, sir, give me a ride"

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 big basket much too heavy for her
little arms.
whats all this, what's all this ?''
cried the deacon, sharply. "What are
you stopping me on the road for, eh ?"
81 thought perhaps you would give
me ride" said the little girl, looking
rather frightened. 1--WE are both going
the same way, and my basket is awful
heavy just lift it and see"
The deacon stared.
MAY l get in ?" she continued,
scrambling up, basket and all, and TAX
ing the empty seat beside him.
And never a word did the deacon say,
but he gave old Dobbin, who had been
placidly switching the flies off with his
tail, such 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 companion, beginning with the
pink sun-bonnet and confding blue eyes
beneath, and ending with the little dusty
boots that were resting on the lid of the
basket.
''Hum !" said the deacon. ''are you
one of the school children %
EYES," said blue eyes. looking up, 81
am Bessie BLY,. Don't you remember 1
missed in the multiplication table when
you examined us? But 1 knew it; it
was only because you hurried me So"
"Well, we'll, well," said the deacon
to himself, "things have come to a pret-
ty pass y and he shook his head sadly.
Il 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 mammas.
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 bug.
gy, with one of the school children and
a 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 timid
fingers. He looked down and two large
blue eyes met his.
care you cross" said Bessie, "'cause
| asked for a ride ?"
Tut, tut child" said the deacon.
"Then if you amt, why don't yol
talk to me" continued Bessie, "and ash
me who discovered America You al
ways 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 he
hands and crossing her thumbs as if sh,
were about to repeat lesson.
"What do you learn there ?"
81 learn 'to do unto others as woul,
they should do unto me, :" replied Bes
sic, glibly, "and to love my neighbo
as myself F"
$50 you learn all that" said the dea
con. "Well, that's something; and VIII
is your neighbor? Does he go black
berrying with you ?"
"Oh yes" said Bessie, laughing, "bu
then he is my real next door neighbol
you know. 1t don't mean | am to Low
him, for of course should do that, bu
it means | am to love everybody. Eve
!, you"
''Well," said the deacon, lookin
down at her, show are you going t
; manage about that ?"
"Why, l must love you, of course,
replied Bessie. ''Do you mind yer
t much ?''
1--WE must do as the Sunday schoc
says" replied the deacon, and then b
laughed; though what there was t
? laugh at Bessie couldn't for the life {
z her think.
Z On they went, old Dobbin, Bessie an
the deacon, now up hill and now dow1
till they came to tiny cottage standin
under the shadow of big house.
a Heres where live," said Bessi,
e briskly, ''and there's where you liv'
Isn't it convenient ?" and she kissed ht
. hand to the deacon and skipped dow
a He handed her the basket, and Bess
: opening the gate and calling out, 5000
$ BY" walked up the little path that lie
to the cottage door.
/ On the step sat boy, a little biggt
s than Bessie, whistling to himself "Tur
:, around" he said to her as she Dire
e near, 81 want to see your wings"
! wings ?" repeated Bessie, her ey,
) wide with amazement.