Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-24
BESSIE'S RIDE WITH DEACON FOX.
Please, sir, give me a ride. !"

On the TOaO StOOu llttic gin, VIC 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? ehP'
Ct thought perhaps you would give
me ride" said the little girl, looking
rather frightened awe are both going
the same way, and my basket is awful
heavy; just lift it and see.'
The Deacon started.
May [ get In ?" she continued,
scrambling up. basket and all, and tax
ing the empty seat beside him.
And never 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 rafting 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.
Hunt" said the Deacon, care you
one of the school children ?''
YES" said blue eyes, looking up.
"I am Bessie Bly,. Don't you remem-
Der I missed in the multiplication table
when you examined us? But I know
it; it was only because you hurried me
So"
"Well, we'll, we'll" said the Deacon to
himself, things have come to pretty
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 awful dread of Mr.. Fox. It was he
who examined them at the end of
school. 1t was be who punished the
naughty boys and reprimanded the
naughty girls; and it was he who always
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.
Are you cross" said Bessie, cos I
asked for ride ?"
"Tut, tut, childr' said the Deacon.
Then, if you amt, why don't you
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
90 to Sunday school, child?"
"Oh, yes" said Bessie, folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs as
though she were about to repeat q les
son.
What do you learn there?"
| learn to do unto others as [ would
hey should do unto me-" replied
Bessie glibly, " and to love my neighbor
IS myself"
$50 you learn all that" said the
ieacon. well, that's something; and
Who is your neighbor? Does he go
,lackberrying with your
"Oh yes" said Bessie laughing, "but
hen he is my real next door neighbor,
-ou know. 1t don't mean [ am to love
i'm. for of course / should do that,
ut it means [ am to love everybody.
ven you"
WE'LL" said the deacon, looking
own at her. how are you going to
lanage about that?'
Why, [ must love you, of course"
piled Bessie. " Do you mind very
uch p
1--WE must do as the Sunday school
VS." replied the Deacon, and then he
ughed: though what there was to
ugh at Bessie couldn't for the life of
er think.
On they went. Old Dobbin, Bessie,
I'D the deacon, now up hill and now
own, till they came to tiny cottage
landing under the shadow of big
.ouse
"Here's where 1 live said Bessie,
,riskly, "and there's where you live
sn't it convenientY' and she kissed her
and to the deacon and skipped down
he handed her the basket, and Bessie,
opening the gate and calling out,
Goodbye" walked up the little path
that led to the cottage door,
On the step sat a boy, a little bigger
than Bessie, whistling to himself
Turn around" he said to her as she
drew near, I want to look at your
wings"
Wings" repeated Bessie, her eyes
wide with amazement.
yes, wings. Haven't you been
riding with the deacon? [ expected no
less"
9 / have had very pleasant ride, /"
said Bessie with dignity, and she
passed by her brother and entered the
house.
"Well, Bessie" said her mother,
who, teakettle in hand, was busy MAX
ing tea. II am glad to see you back.