The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-06-29

mile from the town she saw Q
little bunch of scarlet berries lying
near the road. There was no bush
near them; they were alone with
their warm, bright beauty, and she
picked them up and fastened them
in her dress at the neelz<xonderina
where they came from-just as the
minister had often wondered where
she come from. The minister saw
the berries, and he forgot whether
her dress was colico or no!.
After she purchased the butter
she took the tin pail on her arm,
again and went out at tllp kitchen
door. The minister saw her go,
and went out at the front door and
overtool. her, and insisted on carry
ing the pail. They talked in a gen.
eral way until they reached bit OF
woods through which they had to
pass, and then he persuaded her to
sit down by him on an old log and
rest. Something-perhaps it was
the bright day or the Independent
Autumn air-made her forget that
she was Deacon Osgood's "help,''
and she talked unrestrainingly,
with an intelligence that surprised
him.
At last with delicate tact ne led
her to talk about himself, and she
told him how her parents were
both buried on one day, leaving her
penniless end friendless, and how
She had been bound to Deacon Os-
good until she was eighteen years
old
"They are kind to you, are they
not?" he asked.
eyes they are kind, but" she
stopped abruptly;
But what? Tell me all about it,
he said encouragingly.
They do not care for me-" she
answered with great tears in her vio-
let eyes. They do not love me-and
nothing can live without care and
love-" she added.
The minister's heart was swelling
under his coat, but he kept very
calm.
"How old are you?" he asked
quietly.
~ am nineteen.
why not leave them? You are
not obliged to stay"
Il have no home, no place to go
to-" she answered sadly.
"Come to me-" said the minis
ter.
She looked at him wonderingly
for moment, then she understood
and went to him.
When she lifted her head from
its nest in his grey coat her eyes
were glowing. and the sweet, pale
face was beautiful, transfgured.
where did you get that bunch
of berries ?" he asked touching it ca
as little gleam of sun
light looked through an opening in
the trees and feasted moment on
its warmth and brightness.
Il found it lying along the road
and took it up-as you have taken
me-" she said.
The bright tipts that were gath
ering in the west warned her that
supper time was approaching, and
the minister took the pail of butter
from its resting place at the end of
the log, and they were soon at the
deacon's gate.
The deacon was in the barn feed
ing the fowls, and the minister went
out there. Melissa went to the
kitchen. Johnnie sat on the steps
with piece of apple pie in his hand,
and she bent down and softly kiss
ed his brown cheeks.
''Have you been courtin', Melissa"
he asked, looking at her wondering
ly. II bet you have; cause your
eyes look like Della's when Tom
Higgs comes to see her."
Melissa laughed, and went into
the house.
"How are you, Mr.. Ridgely ?"
said the deacon as the minister en-
tered the barn-yard.
at has been fine day, very
fine day. How is the new pulpit
getting on?"
Il have not been in the church
to-day" answered the minister al
most impatiently. Il came to ask
you, deacon-thatis, to speak to you
about Miss Perry
about Melissa" asked the dea-
con with surprise.
about Melissa" answered the
"Mr Ridgely," said the deacon
with a lengthening face, Il have
tried to do my duty by that girl. |
pray for her morning and night at
family worship, and / have several
times prayed with her alone for
more than three quarters of an hour.
never let a Sunday pass without
speaking to her about the concerns
of her soul, and yet she remains in
different. She is growing indifferent,
and lately l have noticed
"You have noticed nothing OF the
kind" interrupted the minister.
Then he said abruptly. Deacon |
have asked Miss Perry to be my
wife, and as she has been a member
Of your family for several years /
feel it my duty to acquaint you
"Your wife!" exclaimed the as
tonished deacon. why, Mr.. Ridge
ly, she is my help, my bound grill"
"She is the daughter of the late
Perry" said the minister
quietly.
"But, sir, what viii the church
sayl
Il really do not know" answered
the minister, in tone that meant,
Il really do not care"
"She is from a good family" con-
tinued the deacon, ''but she is not a
church member, and | fear the con-
gregation-"
II have thought of accepting a
call to the Bloomington church, !"
said the minister slyly.
oh, no. no. !" cried the alarmed
deacon; "you must not think of
leaving us, Mr.. Ridgely. The church
has never been in so prosperous