Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-04-08
A tithe?" interpolated the minis

"And not 90 beyond that, con-
tinued Deacon Larabee, he'd be better
off in one respect, and no worse off in
the other, to my thinking. | don't
believe in indiscriminate giving"
"Nor do l." was the quiet reioinder.
Then there was another silence, while
Deacon Larrabee filled another pail
with snowy foam.
Chow many COWS have you, Dea-
COM"
'Ten," answered the deacon, with a
pardonable pride showing itself in
voice and feature; "and it's the finest
herd in our county. They're grade
Jerseys"
eyes, :" returned Mr.. Weston, a. littly
absently. Then, after a slight pause:
"Deacon, | overheard the conversa-
ton between you and your neighbor
| Gray, this morning, relative to Mrs.
Sperry and her misfurtunes. Poor
! lady! Sheneeds substantial sympathy
Can you afford to lend a 1.-THE of your
COWS to the lord?"
(Which means that [ give one O
them to the widow uttered the
deacon, with wry face "No, sir, Pm
afraid can't. She wanted to buy one
the other day, but [ told her I'd none
to spare. 1t was all owing to care
lessness that she lost her COW, and |
don't believe in upholding improvi-
dence. Get to going on that way, and
we'd all be on the town farm before
we knew it,"
Mr.. Weston wore q thoughtful ex-
preston, yet a CLEAN of something like
amusement lighted up his eyes
"Will you sell one of your COWS ?"
he asked
"I-I have no need of the money
now" replied the deacon, hesitating-
ly.
The minister continued: 81 heard
| you say this morning that you would
be glad to give good man extra
wages to help you through your hay
ing, but you were afraid it would be
difficult to procure the needed assist
ance at any price. VIII you take me,
and let me pay for the COW in that
way?"
A twinkle both genial and quizzical
dawned in the deacon'sgray 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 q just
| appreciation of the quality of benefi-
| cence III other people. Neither was he
a hard man at heart. twas 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.
cts a 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 a smile,
"and save me that trouble"
Accordingly a little while later the
minister, accompanied by the deacon,
led his recent acquisition down the
farmhouse lane, and away along the
thoroughfare OF the sleepy littleham
let to the tiny cottage where dwelt
Mrs. Sperry and her brood. There
they fastened the animal to a conven-
lent post, raped softly and departed
with the peaceful consciousness which
attends upon a worthy deed resting
upon Oneof them, at least, as q man
tie.
Next morning when the deacon, hoe
on shoulder, was leaving his dooryard
for his cornfeld, he encountered Mrs.
Sperry. Her eyes were red, as with
long watching and weeping, and her
thin lips trembling with the emotion
which she vainly endeavored to con-
ceal.
L IL L,
deacon Larrabee," she said, ~ 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 over
take you and all becauseyo would
not sell me the COW you meant to
give me"
''I-really-I-I," began the deacon.
The situation was a most embarrass-
ing one, and rendered doubly so by the
knowledge that beside the open window
OF the room appropriated to his
library, the minister was sitting, no
doubt enjoying the conversation in the
fullest measure. Greatly, Mrs. Sperry
IL
"Now don't try to deny it, laughed
the widow, al ttlenervously. "Iknow
the COW, Deacon Larrabee, and ''-she
laughed again-"I am bowed with con-
triton to think of my unjust feelings
toward you. But [ shall always pray
that you may prosper, hereafter, dea-
con; for [ am sure you will have agood
account Of your stewardship with the
Master"
The deacon mopped his scarlet face
in sore perplexity. How could hecon-
TESS that the gift was none-of his? Yet
there really seemed no other way of
escape from the one-horned dilemma
in which he found himself, unless
Well, the widows generous thanks
were very pleasant to hear, and, after
momentary deliberation, the old dea-
cons good sense and genuine manliness
came to the fore. He only wished the
happy thought had been his, the chart
ty his own spontaneous deed.
'Tm glad if the gift pleases you, Mrs.
l I