The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-22
q. t;thop,, ;nternolated the minister

"And not 90 beyond that, continued
Deacon Larrabee. she'd be better of
in one respect, and no worse off in the
other, to my thinking. don't oelleve
in-in indiscriminate giving"
..Nor do l." was the quiet reJoinder.
Then there was silence while Deacon
Larrabee filled another pail with snowy
foam.
"How many cows have you, dea
con-"
Ten" answered the deacon, with a
pardonable pride showing itself In voice
and feature; land it's the finest herd
in our county. They're grade Jerseys"
YES returned Mr.. Weston, little
absently. Then, after slight pause
deacon Larrabee, | overheard the
conversation between you and your
neighbor Gray this morning, relating
to Mrs. Sperry and her misfortunes.
Poor lady! she does need substantial SYM
pathy. Cannot you afford to lend 1.-THE
of your COWS to the Lord?"
(which means that give one OF
them to the widow" uttered the dea-
con, with wry face. ''No, sir; I'm
afraid can't. She wanted to buy one
the other day, but | told her I'd none
to spare. 1t was all owing to careless
ness that she lost her COW, and don't
believe in unfolding improvidence.
Get to going on that way, and we'd all
be on the town farm before we knew
it."
Mr.. Weston wore thoughtful
countenance, yet CLEAN Of something
like amusement lighted up his eyes.
"Will you sell me one of your cows!"
he asked.
81 have no need of the money
now" replied the deacon hesitatingly.
The minister continued: Il heard
you say this morning that you would be
glad to give good man extra wages to
help you through your haying, but that
you were afraid it would be difficult to
procure the needful assistance at any
price. Will you take me, and let me
pay for the COW in that wayP"
A twinkle, both genial and quizzical,
dawned in the deacon's gray eyes. For
a moment he studied the young minis
ter attentively. He was not at all
what his neighbors would have denom-
mated free-handed. yet he had Just APP
probation Of the quality of benehcence
in other people. Neither was he a
hard man at heart. 1t was only that
the prosperity which had attended his
every undertaking caused him to look
upon the lack of it in a neighbours af-
fairs as an entirely unnecessary evil
one which prudence and forethought
might overcome. Now he shook his
petitioners hand heartily.
"It's BARGAIN said he. "When
will you take the COW off my hands?'
Tonight, if you will lend me your
assistance" was the ready response.
''Better take one of those | haven't
MIXED" said the deacon, with smile,
''and save me that trouble"
Accordingly, little time later, the
minister, accompanied by the deacon,
led his recent acquisition down the
farmhouse lane, and away along the
thoroughfare of the sleepy little hamlet
to the tiny cottage where dwelt Mrs.
Sperry and her brood. There they
fastened the animal to a convenient
post, raped softly, and departed, with
the peaceful consciousness which at
tends upon worthy deed resting upon
one OF them, at least, as mantle.
on shoulder, was leaving his door-yard
for his corn-feld, he encountered Mrs.
Sperry. Her eyes were red, as with
long watching or weeping, and her
thin lips trembled with the emotion
which she vainly endeavored to con-
ceal.
She put out both hands to him.
'Deacon Larrabee," said she, 81 have
come to thank you, and to ask your
forgiveness. Oh, have had such hard
thoughts of you!-how cruelty hard
only God knows-and my own heart.
Why, | almost came to pray that some
dreadful misfortune might overtake
youl-and all because you would not
sell me the COW you meant to give
men ~
"I-really-I-" began the deacon.
The situation was most embarrassing
one, and rendered doubly so by the
knowledge that beside the open win
dow of the room appropriated to his
library the minister was sitting, no
doubt enjoying the conversation in the
fullest measure. Really, Mrs. Sper-
ry-I-"
snow, don't try to deny it" laughed
the widow, a little nervously. IL know
the COW, Deacon Larrabee; and" she
laughed again-''I am bowed down
with contrition, to think of my unjust
feelings towards you But | shall al
ways pray that you may prosper, here
after, deacon; for am sure you will
have good account of your steward
ship for the Master"
The deacon mopped his scarlet face
in sore perplexity. How could he con-
fess that the gift was none of his?
Yet there really seemed no other way
OF escape from the one-horned diem
ma In which he found himself, unless
Well, the widows generous thanks
were very pleasant to hear; and after a
momentary elaboration the old dea-
cons good sense and genuine rilanli-
ness came to the FORE He only wished
that the happy thought had been his.
the charity his own spontaneous deed.
81 am glad if the gift pleases YOU,
Mrs. Sperry," said he, shaking her
proifered hand; land now, please saw
no more about il. Go into the house
and see the woman. I'll warrant she
has glass of jelly for the sick boy.''
10 MIR. Weston later on he said with
laugh, and jocular twinkle in his
| eye, 1--WE hired my man. and shall not