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

little church. Rettic would not walk with
the preacher, and, in fact, she would
not have attended the meeting had not
ker father compelled her to do so. One
evening, Just before church time, the
old gentleman called Hettie. He re.
ceived no answer. The old fellow
raved. He searched the premises, but
could not find her. The preacher was
grieved and Mrs. Billingsly was humili.
ated. Thay went to church without
the girl. When they had gone, Hettie
came out from her hiding place. Her
eyes were red, and her cheeks were tear.
stained. She attempted to read, but
threw down the book. She tried to
laugh but burst into tears. The clock struck
nine. Brushing back her hair, she stood
for moment as though she were deeply
thinking, then, throwing a light shawl
around her shoulders, she rushed from
the house.
The preacher had begun to call fol
mourners; the brothers and sisters had
begun to sing an old hymn, when Hettie
entered the church. Without looking up
she walked quickly to the mourners'
bench and knelt down. The people were
astonished. When the services were
closed, the preacher looked for Hettie,
but she had disappeared. He did not
see her at the breakfast table the next
morning. In apology, Mrs. Billingsly
said that her daughter was not we'll She
did not come down to dinner, neither
did she make her appearance at the sup.
per table. The old man was much
softened toward the girl, and before
going to church he went up and kissed
her. 1t was such surprise, it moved
her so deeply that she sobbed aloud.
That night when the preacher called
for mourners, Hettie suddenly appeared
She looked at no one but with low cry,
she sank upon the bench. People who
had never had kind word to say of the
girl, gathered around her and whispered
consoling words in her ears. Everyone
seemed to be glad that Mean Het was
unable 10 longer fight against the spirit.
The girl was so earnest that the meet
ing was prolonged. Just as an old ex-
horter arose to say that the services
would be brought to q close, Hettie
sprang to her feet uttered cry of Joy
and seized her mother. 1t was now
useless to attempt a dismissal of the
meeting The little church had never
known a season of such shouting. Old
man Billingsly lifted his lusty voice and
his wife in transport of happiness,
singing in a voice of tremulous Joy, time
and again declared that the Lord had is
sued special decree in her favor.
The preacher was happy. He had
been the means of accomplishing a work
which every one had thought to be i'm
possible. He was ardently sincere; he
believed that soul had been saved.
Hettie no longer avoided him. Hel
face had undergone an entire change
Her smile was radiant. One evening,
shortly after her conversion, she and the
preacher sat on a large rock.
"Hettie, you do not know how brigh,
your face has grown"
"And you, Mr.. Wilkins, do not know
how light my heart has grown. 1 looB
with pity upon my former self. l car
now realize the truth of what you have
told me-"
"Hettie, you have been more to m,
than | have to you, yes, much more. J
taught you duty; you taught me love
Oh, girl, | love you, love you."
She did not reply, but she put her arm!
around his neck.
This occurred several years ago. Mrs
Hettie Welkins, wife of the presiding
elder, is one of the most modest and
pious women in Arkansaw. She Otter
tells her husband that he more than once
saved her-that his "hello" was almost
as saving as his earnest voice of admoni.
tion. .-ATkansGa0 Traveller.