Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-06-12

HuSslyt
81 was thinking ofthe sinfulness there
is in this world"
Eyes, the world is full of sin; but it
is our duty to radicate it."
"Well, let us go.to the house."
When the preacher had gone to bed,
Mr.. Billingsly having secured the apple
tree sprout, called his daughter.
Father, please don't whip me. 1
won't do it any MORE"
"Do whatW
'Do anything. I'll be good, de.
clare will. l won't go fishing any
more unless you tell me to 60"
"What made you put that rock under
the saddle and turn the horse loose,
hah2".
81 don't know, but if you won't whip
me, will never do it any more"
81 heard you talk that way before.
Come here to mem
Just as he raised the switch, the
preacher calling from the head of the
stairs, said:
"Oh, Brother Billingslyw
eyes"
'Step here a minute, please"
The old man went up. The preacher
said: "You must really excuse me for
going to bed without having held pray
ers. l am very young in the cause, you
know, and really forgot it. Is it too
late2"
mo; we might pray a little"
| The preacher put on his clothes, came
down stars and summoned the family.
Mean Hettie joined the circle of devo-
ton. When the services were over, the
preacher, the old man and the old lady
engaged in long conversation. The
prayer had aroused them and they
talked until late hour. In the mean
time the girl slipped away and went to
bed.
The next day was Sunday. Mr.. Will
kins had an appointment to preach in a
little church situated short distance
from Billingsly farm.
"When the time arrived, Wilkins
asked the girl if he might accompany
her. She laughed uproariously.
You are the first person that ever
wanted to go with me anywhere" she
said.
ut does not, however, give you cause
to refuse"
ooh, Pm not going to refuse. The
girls-and l hate nearly all of them
think it is awful smart TO catch new
preacher"
81 hope that this alone does not in
fuence you to accompany me-"
"No.n
"You have nobler motive"
eyes, want to see how foolish it will
make father look"
"You ought not talk that way"
"Why, don't you like to hear the
truth2"
ooh, yes, but no one should entertain
such truths. They are pernicious. A
truth can be quite as bad as lie."
"Well, l have another reason" -
II am glad to hear it,"
''It is better reason than the other
one"
"What is it2"
81 want to see how curious it will make
mother look"
"Miss Billingsly, you are provo
king"
80 are you. They are ready. Come
on"
Mr.. Billingsly and his wife were sur.
prised to see the preacher walking with
their daughter, for, having listened to
neighbors who are never complimentary,
they thought that Hattie was the worst
child in the world.
The young preacher was success. AT
first he was embarrassed, but receiving,
from the kindly faces around him, an in
spiration of confidence, he threw off all
restraint and thrilled the congregation.
"How did you like my sermon2" he
asked of Hettie as they were walking
along the road.
''It did first rate for beginner"
The preacher was disappointed. Of
all the people in the house, he desired
m ost to impress the girl. Perceiving his
disappointment, and suffering o slight
sting of remorse, she added:
'It was the best sermon | ever heard.
The heather was touched"
He looked earnestly at her. She
laughed so loud that Billingsly and his
wife, who were walking some distance
in advance, looked back at her.
"You do not call yourself a heather,
do you9"
"Yes."
''You have no cause to call yourself q
heather. Are not your parents good
Christians2"
''Yes, but | am heather. Wonder
what would become of me if I were to
die. Oh, | know. would be buried. y
"Miss Blllingsly, you should not talk
so."
"Do you know why am so bad9"
81 do not know that you are so bad. >
81 am though"
'"Then, why are you2"
because. ever since can remember,
everybody has told me how bad am.
must have been a repulsive child, for /
cannot remember that visitor to our
house ever took me up and carressed
me. Nothing could make me bitter, so
l just became bad. have made many
attempts to behave myself, but the first
thing knew, something would come
up to turn me back. l know thst / am
almost a woman-but we have talked
enough about it. have already talked
more freely to you than | have evel
talked to anyone else"
wilkins boarded with Blllingsly. Th'
preacher tried in vain to engage the cir
in another serious conversation. She die
not avoid him, but when he attempted
to draw from her serious expression
she would make perplexing replies.
! A great revival was organized at tie