The Russellville Democrat., 1880-10-14

she wanted Nathan to 20. because he looked as if he wanted to go somewhere awfully. In a few minutes Nathar re- turned with shining face and clean jumper, and then they were ready for the woods.
 The long ride had made them think that the dinner was the first thing to be talked of and they quickly chose a pleasant spot for their dining-ropm. In very short time the long linnen cloth was spread, the baskets and pails emptled, and the merry little party. with happy faces, sat down to dinner.
 The deacon arese, took off his broad hat, and asked simple blessing, while the little heads all bowed reverentIy. It seemed very solemn to Becky. The great trees with their protecting shade. the soft murmur of the little brook, and the merry voices all hushed, while the kind old deacon. with trustful face turned toward the szheavens, prayed earnestly that none of these little ones might ever take step toward sin, Becky's heart grew very heavy. Could 1t be that little bit of cocoanut cake? The merry voices began again. and the dishes clattered but it all had far away sound to littce Becky, as if she were no part of the innocent merry- making. Her appetite had fled with her spirits. In vain Jerry offered her the dantiest bits; and Nandie Potter said City folks couldn't eat much.u She could not eat any more than if the little cake had been fastened over her mouth.
 When there was a demand for the eandy basket, one little heart went thumpl thump. as if candy baskets had been knowE to contain instruments ot torture.
 Io1nmy Potter watched Mamie as she teok out the candy. "One more cocoa { nut cake, Man," he said, as his sister put down the basket. "No," she said, "that's all." | q know better" said Tommy. "One, two, three, four, five (get your hand out of the way, will you?) six, seven, eight, nine (bought lem myself, ought to know,) ten, 'leven,-I paid for twelve; and when 1 pays for thing gets it ! Somebody has hooked a cocoanut cake.
 They all laughed, not excepting Becky. She will never forget how much it cost her to laugh that day.
 You don't s'pose I care for cent cocoanut cake, do you?" sad Tommy, almost wrathfully. But hate to know we've got fellow in the party mean enouogh to take it."
 "Sit downp said Mamie, "you have made speeches enough. How do you know't want glrl took it." l "Oh, never, neverp said Jerry, gal lantiy.
 "I'll leave it to Becky now" declared the investigating Tommy, If when she had the basket there wasn't twelve cocoanut cakes?"
 T really did not count them," said Becky, cooly, wandering at her own self-possession. "Come now," persisted Tommy, q re- member there were only three pink ones. Did you notice that, Becky?"
 "I did" said Nathan, cooly. Poor Becky Had she been the means of bringing her own accuser? "There, therep said Tommy, "hear that. When did you see them, Nat?" "When she" (pointing but not looking at Becky) was a-setting the candy basket right"
 "What difference can it make, any way?" said one of the girls, seeing | Becky's confusion; Deacon, will you please to tell Tommy to be quiet?'
 The deacon smiled, but sad nothing; he was anxious himself to see how they would come out. "You saw three pink cakes, Nat, are yon sure?" said Tommy.
 'I know I did said Nathan; 1.-two big and little might of one"
 Remember Becky's grandfather is a Judge" said Jerry, laughing. | lngf hot saw, the little punk cake, Nat?" said Tommy, excitedly.
 'In my hand, said Nathan. l Becky's hand went involuntarily to her pocket. The small pink cake was gone!
 "Where did you get it?" cried l Tommy.
 Becky dropped it and I picked it up."
 awhy didn't you give it back to Becky2D
 "None of your business"
 Tut, tut" said the deacon.
 Nathan threw the little cake among the others.
 "If you paid cent for that you got cheated" said one of the girls.
 "'T was worth stealing, anyhow" said Tommy.
 "It wasn't worth eating though, was it. Nathan?" said Mamie.
 All through the trial Nathan had not cast his eyes once towards Becky. Did he know the truth2
 After dinner they went to the mea' dow.
 Becky tried in vain Co get near enough to little Nathan to question him about the cake. "fie knows l meant to take it." she thought; "why did he say he took it?''
 She thought the deacon looked sor. rowfully at him, when he said so coldly q did" The deacon was stretched out now under trees, with great red silk handkerchief over his face. Becky went back and sat by his side. "l will not leave this seat" she said to her self, ''till tell him, that I took the cak instead of Nathan"
 In few minutes he said: "Who IS that?"
 Its Becky" she answered very humbly.
 He was about to draw off the hand kerchief from his face, when she said 'Please leave the handkerchief on Deacon, I want to tell you something and ana ashamed"
 Hard, indeed, must have been the deacon's heart that would not have been touched by her humble, penitent voice 'What's the little girl ashamed ofF he said kindly. "I took the pink cocoanut cake, Dea con instead of Nathan.