Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-23
BeSSie's Ride With Deacon Fox.
please, sir, give me a ride"

oOHSou LIZA sloppeu LIS uUISS anu
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 big basket much too heavy for her
little arm.
"Wnat's all this, what's all this2' cried
the Deacon, sharply. "What are YOU
stopping NE On the road for? chi"
81 thought perhaps you would give me
ride" said the little girl, looking rather
frightened. "We are both going the
same way, and my basket is awful heavy;
just lift il and see."
"The deacon stared.
MAY get in:'' she continued, scram-
bling up, basket and all, and taking 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 q sharp touch o: 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. .........
"Hum!' said the deacon, "are you one
of the school children2''
eyes" said blue eyes, looking up, ~
am Bessie Bly,. Don't you remember 1
missed in the multiplication table when
you examined me? But knew it; it was
only because you hurried me So"
"Well, we'll, 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
awesome dread of Mr.. Fox. It was he
who examined them at the end of school,
1t was he who punished the naughty
girls; and it was he who always asked
them terrible questions when he came to
Jail upon their mammas.
So it was strange sight to see the old
deacon, with his keen eyes twinkling be-
meath his bushy eyebrows and his stern
hard face, driving in his old buggy, with
one of the school-children and q market
basket by her side.
They drove along some distance in ST.
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.
''Are you cross" said Bessie, zoos
asked for ride?''
Tut, tut child" said the deacon.
"Then if you amt. why don't you talk
to me2" continued Bessie, "and ask me
who discovered American 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" cried Bessie, folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs as though
she were about to repeat lesson.
"What do you learn therea" asked the
deacon.
II Learn 'to do unto others as I would
they should do unto me-" replied Bessie,
glib1y, 'and to love my neighbor as my.
self"
$50 you learn all that" said the dea.
con. well, that's something; and who
is your neighbor2 Does he 90 blackber-
rying with you2'
"Oh, yes," said Bessie, laughing, sbut
then he is my real next door neighbor,
you know. It don't mean I am to love
him, for Of course should do that, but
it means l am to love everybody. Even
you"
SWELL" said the deacon, looking down
at her, how are you going to manage
about that2"
why, I must love you of course" re-
piled Bessie. "Do you mind very much9'
I'VE must do as the Sunday-shcool
says" replied the deacon, and then be
laughed; though what there was to laugh
at Bessie couldn't for her life of her think.
On they went, old Dobbin, Bessie and
the deacon, now up hill and now down.
till they came to tiny cottage standing
under the shadow of big house.
"Here's where live" said Bessie,
briskly, "and there's where you live. Isn't
it conveniently and she kissed her hand
to the deacon and skipped down. He
handed her the basket and Bessie opening
the gate and calling out, 'sgood-by, ;
walked up the little path that led to The
cottage door.
On the step sat boy, little bigger
than Bessie, whistling to himself ssTurr
around" he said to her as she drew near
II want to look at your wings"
"W1ngs?" repeated Bessie, her eye.
wide with amazement.
"Yes, wings. Haven't you been riding
with the deacon2 I expected no less"
II have had very pleasant ride" sale