Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1878-08-21
When shs lifted her head from is

berries 2 he asked, touching II ca
rcssingly, as a little gleam Of sunlight
looked through ap opening In the
trees aud ieasted u moment on its
warmth aud brightness,
Il found It lying alone Ia the road
aud took It up-as you have taken
me, she answered softly.
The bright tiats that wele gathering
In the west warned her that supper
time was approaching, and the minis
tor took tho pail Of butter from It's
resting place at the end OF tho log, and
they were soon at the Deacon's gate
The Deacon was in tho barnyard
feeding the fowls, and tho minister
went out there. Melissa went 10 tho
kitchen. Johnnie SGT on the steps
with piece Of apple pic IN his hand,
aud she bent down and softly kissed
his brown cheeks
Have you been courtln', Melissa :
he asked, looking at her wonderingly,
4 bet you have, cause your eyes look
Just like Dellas when Tom lliggs
comes TO sec her"
Melissa laughed and went in TO the
house,
How are you, Mr.. Ridgcly,' said
the Deacon aS the minister entered
the barnyard. 1T has been iino day,
sir very fine day. How is the new
pulpi, getting on!'
Il have not been in the church to.
day answered the minister almost
impatiently. 4 came to ask you,
Deacon-ttat is, to speak with yon,
about Miss Perry
About Melissa. asked the Deacon
with surprise.
About Melissa, answered the min.
lister,
'Mr. Ridgely,' said the Deacon with
a lengthening face. 4 have tried to
do my duty by that girl. | pray for
her morning and night at family wor-
ship, and l have several times prayed
with her alone tor more than three
quarters Of an hour at time. new
er let a Sunday pass without speaking
to her about the concerns of her soul,
and she yet remains indifferent. She
is growing hardened, and lately !
have notced---
you have noticed nothing Of the
kind interrupted the minister. Then
he said abruptly, Deacon, / have
asked Miss Perry to be my wife, and
as she has been member of your
family for several years l feel that 1T
is my duty to acquaint you -
Your Wife exclaimed the aston
ished Deacon. why, Mr.. Ridgely,
she is my help, my bound g~l'
'She is the daughter Of the late
Maxwell Perry, said the minister.
quietly. ..
But, sir, what will the church say?'
4 really do not know, answered the
minister in a tone that meant Il really
do not care.
She is from good family contin-
ued the Deacon, 'but she is not a
church member, and l fear the con-
greation--'
Il have thought of accepting a call
to the Bloomington church !! said the
minister shyly.
oh, no, no!' cried the alarmed
Deacon. You must not think OF
leaving us, Rldgely. The church has
never been in so prosperous condi-
ton, spiritually and temporarily. Don't
speak OF leaving, Mr.. Ridgely. AS
to your marrying Melissa, | am per-
fec,ly willing. l only thought--but
there is the supper bell. Come up to
the house.
Words fail to describe the amaze
ment of the Lyntonians when they
knew for certainty that their minis
ter intended to marry Deacon Os.
goods help. A few:-among whom
were Martha Samson and Amarantha
Peabody-hlnted that he had better
resign, but they were ordered to keep
their hints 10 themselves by the more
sensible ones who, when they Iecov-
cred from the shock, went to work to
find house suitable for parsonage.
The decided upon cottage opposite
the church, for which they paid the
sum of two thousand dollars.
The wedding took place Christmas
morning in the church. The minister
took his bride to his aunt's for a
weeks visit, aud when they returned
to Lynton, the congregation had for
gotten that Mrs. Judson Ridgely, waa
once a bound.girl, and received her
with epen arms. They have never
L