The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-04-18
BESSIE AND DEACON FOX.
A Pleasant Story for Old and Young.

1leaSe, sir, give me q roe.
Deacon Fox stopped his horse and
peered round the side of his old buggy.
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 a big basket much too heavy
for her little arms.
"What's all this, what's all this?''
cried the Deacon, sharply. "What are
you stopping me on the road for, eh?''
Z" | thought perhaps you would give
me a ride" said the little girl, looking
rather frightened. eve are both 60
ing the same way, and my basket is aw-
full heavy; just lift it and see"
The Deacon stared.
"May 1 get IMP" 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 a 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 companion, beginning with the pink
sun-bonnet. and coniiding blue eyes be-
meath, and ending with the little dusty
boots that were resting on the lid of the
basket.
"Huml'' said the Deacon, are you
one of the school-children?'
"Yes," said blue eyes, looking up, 81
am Bessie BLY,. Don't you remember
missed in the multiplication table when
you examined us? But | knew it; it
Cd
"Well, well, well," said the Deacon
to himself, " things have come to pref
ty pass" 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 bows of his own, and the SCHOOLGIRL
dren generally crossed the road when
they saw him coming, for they all felt
an awesome dread of Mr.. Fox. 1t was
he who had 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
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 81
lence, 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 ride?n
"Tut, tut, child" said the Deacon.
"Then, if you amt, why don't you
talk TO me?n continued Bessie, land
ask me who discovered America? You
always ask us that
"Then it is to be hoped you know by
this time," said the Deacon. $40 you
90 to Sundav-schoOl, child?"
ooh, Yes," said Bessie, folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs as
though she were about to repeat les
son.
"What do you learn there?" asked
the Deacon.
Il learn 'to do unto others as | would
they should do unto me, '" replied Bes-
sic, glibly, land 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 go
blackberrying with you?"
"Oh, yes," said Bessie, laughing,
" but then he is my real neXt-dOOr
neighbor, you know. 1t don't mean |
am to love him, for, of course, | should
do that, but il means am to love every
body. Even you"
Well" 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?"
ave must do as the Sunday-school
says replied the Deacon, and then be
laughed; though what there was to
laugh at 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 a tiny cottage
standing under the shadow OF a big
house.
Here's where / live," said Bessie,
briskly, land there's where you live.
Isn't it convenient" and she kissed her
hand to the Deacon and skipped down
He handed her the basket, and Bessie,
opening the gate and calling out, Good
by" walked up the little path that led
TO the cottage door
On the step sat a boy, little bigger
than Bessie, whistling to himself. Turn
around" he said to her as she drew
near. al want to look at your wings"
IS Wings?" repeated Bessie, her-eye
wide with amaZement.
"Yes, wings. Haven't you been rid
ing with the Deacon? expected no
less