Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-04-25
BEssIE,s RIDE WITH DEACON FOX.
"Please. sir. give me a ride

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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 ali this?"
cried the Deacon, sharply. "What are
you stopping me on the road for? eh!"
q 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.
scrambling up. basket and all, and talk
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.
"Humw said the Deacon, are you
one of the school children ?'
eyes," said blue eyes, looking up
g | am Bessie BLY,. Don't you remem-
Der | missed in the multiplication table
when you examined us? But [ know
it; it was only because you hurried me
So"
"Well, well, well, 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 he 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 n strange sight to see the old
Deacon, with his keen eyes twinkling
beneath his bushy eyebrows and his
gy, with one Of the school children, and
II lldIkGG Ddok6b Ny Ills cluG.
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, cos l
asked for a rider
"Tut, tut, child" 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
go to Sunday school, child?"
"Oh, yes" said Bessie, folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs as
though she were about to repeat Il les
son.
"What do you learn there?"
az learn to do unto others as | would
they should do unto me-" replied
Bessie glibly, and to love my neighbor
as myself"
$50 you learn all that" said the
deacon. "Well, that's something; and
who is your neighbor? Does he 90
backberrying with YOU"
F" Ohyes," said Bessie laughing, but
then he is my real next door neighbor,
you know. 1t don't mean am tC love
him. for of course / should do that,
but it means / am to love everybody.
Even YOU"
WE'LL" said the deacon, looking
down at her, show are you going to
manage about that?"
"Why, | must love you, of course"
replied Bessie. "Do you mind very
much ?"
We must do as the Sunday school
SAYS" replied the Deacon, and then he
laughed: though what there was to
laugh ut 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 q tiny cottage
standing under the shadow of Il big
house.
Heres where l live" said Bessie,
briskly, "and there's where you live.
Isn't it convenient and she kissed her
He handed her the basket, and Bessie,
opening the, gate and calling out,
"Good-bye," walked up the little path
that led to the cottage door.
On the step sat boy, little bigger
lIliIl bSSSl6. NHlSllliS W hlillSclI.
"Tun around, he said to her as she
drew near, L want to look at your
wings"
Wingsg" repeated Bessie, her eyes
wide with amazement.
Yes, wings. Haven't you been
riding with the deacon? | expected no
less''
Il have had q very pleasant ride, ;"
I said Bessie with dignity, and she
passed by her brother and entered the
/ house. l>s.-zzss-a.@.
@Well. Bessie" said her mother,
who, teakettle in hand, was busy MAX
ing tea. am glad to see you back.
[ have been thinking of you all the
afternoon walking so far with that
heavy basket; sit down child and rest"
But before Besse could answer Aunt
Jemima rushed in with cap strings fly
ing. She had been sitting in the win
dow and saw the buggy drive up.
/" Sakes ahvel sister," she cried
Bessie has been riding with the dea-
con, and he handed her the basket with
his own hands,
"With the deacon?" repeated Mrs.
Bly, "Well, Bessie. what an honor? l
hope you thanked him prettily What
ever made him think of inviting vou?'
"He didn't," said Bessie, untying her
bonnet and sitting down; IL invited
him.
Mrs. Bly, let the teakettle almost drop,