River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-02-27


hadn't had any bringing up. Now, Bes
sic eat this piece OF bread and go I
bed"
But Bessie couldn't eat. She was yer.
J unhappy, and all she could say was, 8
! had a very pleasant ride, mamma
As this didn't mend matters she pickles
an her bonnet and went up stairs. Afte
she had been in bed few minutes, Jacl
came in and sat down. The sun was jus
sinking, aud the sky, which the childrel
could see through the open window, wa
streaked red and gold
"What made you do ii, Bess2' saiC
Jack, who was whistling softly, and look
| ing first at the little face on the pillow
sud then at the bright sky beyond.
DO what, JACKIE
"Why, ask for a ride"
Bessie raised herself upon her elbow
and looked anxiously into her brother
| f9ce. "Was it very awful - she asked.
Aunt Jemima thinksit was, said Jack
ats very queer" said Bessie; Il don
think any little girl would have beer
afraid 20 ask father for d ride when ht
was alive, and all grown people are
alike"
.'Oh, no. said Jack, sagely; mot a
all. That would have been very differ
eut Why, the deacon's worth thousands
Of dollars. and father wasn't worth any
thing at ali"
"He was, too" said Bessie, sharply
"He was worth ten deacOns, fifty
| fifty deacons, a hundred deacons-sC
here, Jack Bly, and Bessie turned hel
face to the wall and wouldn't say an
other word.
The next morning, when she opened
her eyes, they fell upon her mothers face
bending over her.
"Get up Bessie" said Mrs Bly,, "anc
dress carefully. | have something fm
YOU to DO this morning.
Bessie had forgot all about the nigh
before, and skir ping ont of he'd proceed
ed to dress and 90 down stairs in the bes
cf spirits.
Bessie said her mother, as she en-
tered the kitchen, "you cause me "A great
deal Of anxiety ! have been thinking OF
your behavior of yesterday, and have
made up my mind that you must go W
to the deacon's and apologize"
~ hats that, mother:' asked Bessie,
frightened out of her wits.
THAT means to ask his pardon for your
rudeness oil yesterday. You must say
ycu regret your behavior very much and
Will never do so again; and now you have
finished your breakfast, go right along,
and be sure you speak prettiiy.'
Bessie put on her bonnet and started
toward the big house at the top of the
hill She was a good deal frightened,
for "apologizing" seemed to her an aw-
fui thing to do, and the deacon much
more formidable than the day before.
Nevertheless, her mother had told he
to 20, and she did not stop until she
pulled the bell at the deacou's door. The
OF housekeeper appeared in answer to
her ring and demanded what she wanted
Il want to see the deacon said Bes-
sic timidly.
He is al his breakfast, said the old
lady, eying Bessie somewha. suspicious
ly
Never mind" said Bessie; "Il' go
right in; it is verv particular.
80 the Old lady opened the dining
room door, and Bessie walked in.
She Lad never been in such big room
before ia Ter life, and there, at one end
of ., large table, with his breakfast before
hiIa. sat the Deacon all alone.
Good morning." saiG Bessie, stand
ing timidly in the doorway, with her
bonnet in her hand, Il have come to see
you
The deacon looked up greatly surprised,
and then he laughed as he had laughed
the day before, short, queer laugh.
Does the Sunday school tell you to
do this too!' he asked
No said Bessie, thinking how she
should bring in "her apologize"
Well, come in, child, come In" he
said impatiently, "and sit down.
BESSIE came in, and taking one of the
big chairs opposite the deacon watched
HIM fiji plate with good things.
10 Won eat your dinner as well as
your breakfast all alone2" she asked al
last haven't you any little girls mol
boys-not onc9"
Not one"
"ItI had known that, she went on
locking at him wistfully, II would have
brought my breakfast in a pail and eaten
it with you
suppose you try this" said the deacon
handing her the plate he had filed.
Bessie wasn't hungry. but she though
il would he impolite to refuse, so she
took it, and she and the deacon ate theil
breakfast together, she at the head of the
table and he at the foot.
II am very sorry you are all alone,
began Bessie after moments silence
Wouldn't you like little girl like me?
And what good do little girls like
you do?" asked the deacon.
ooh! none at all, said Bessie; "only il
YOU had one she could love you lots"
$50 she could" SAID the deacon, witt
something of sigh, ana after that he lei
Bessie do all the talking until the ole
hClsekeeper came to the door and said
the horse was waiting at the gate. Their
what do you suppose the deacon said
Nothing less than this: well, Bessie
how would you like to take another
ride home with me2"
"Oh, I'd like it lots" said Bessie
Jumping up and clapping her hands
sAnd this time YOU invite me, | don
invite you
Certainly," said the deacon, l invite
YOU !" and out they went, and Bessie
scrambled up once more into the buggy
( They had merry ride home, for th'
( deacun's hat blew off, and he had t
chase it along the road. Bessie laughe,
/ till the tears rolled down her cheeks, ant
even the deacon smiled when he wa
/ once more seated at her side.
Wren they drove up to the door of tn
} cottage Mrs Bv met them.
She thanked the deacon for brlngln!
Bessie home, and then turning to her llt
tie girl, who had jumped down after Civ
ing the deacon a kiss for thanks, asket
if she had apologized prettily.
There" said Bessie, u thought | hat
forgotten something"
You don't mean to say you forgot t
tell him whatyou went up there for !
cried her mother. "Why, Bessie, wins
could he have thought of your
I'm sorry, mamma" SAID Bessie, sol
rowfully, "but never mind. | will go u
again tomorrow; like to apologize"
That Bessie did not do, but, wonderit
To relate, the deacon came to see her.
facl she AID the deacon became sue
friends that the neighbors ceased + Won
der al seeing cross old Mr.. Fox drivin
abcut with one of the school childre
seated by his side. Only Aunt Jemim
could not forget Bessie's first ride, an
would shake her head when she saw the
, together and say "we.l, well, To thin
Z -