The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-26

umphantly, ~if neighbor Gray would give
certain portion
"a titheP interpolated the minister
"And not 20 beyond that" continued Dea-
con Larrabee. she'd be better off in one re-
spect, and no worse off in the other. to my
thinking. don't believe in-in indiscrim-
mate giving"
@Nor do /, was the quiet rejoinder. Then
there was silence while Deacon Larrabee
filed another pail with snowy foam
"HOw many cows have you, deaconf"
@Tcn,n answered the deacon with par
donable pride showing itself in voice and
feature; land its the finest herd in our
country They're grade Jerseys"
Yes" returned Mr.. Weston, a little alb
sently. Then, after slight pause. Deacon,
overheard the conversation between you
and your neighbor Gray this morning, re-
lating to Mrs. Sperry and her misfor.unes.
Poor LADY, She does need substantial sym
patty. Can you afford to lend 1.-THE Of
your cows to the lordl
(Which means that give one Of them u
the widow" uttered the deacon, with wry
face. ''No sir, Pm afraid L can't She
wanted to buy one the other day, but told
her I'd none to spare. 1t was all owing TO
her carelessness that she lost her cow, and
don't believe in upholding imp.oyidence.
Get to going on that way, and we'd all be on
the town farm before we knew it
Mr.. Weston wore thoughtful expression,
yet CLEAN of something like amusem emit
lighted up his eyes
@Wnl you sell me one Of your cowsl" he
asked
T-I have no need Of the money now"
replied the -sscon hesitatingly.
The minister continued: Il heard you
say this morning that you would be- glad
| to give a good man extra wages to help you
throu h your hayisg, but you were afraid it
would be difficult to procure the needful
assistance at any price. VIII 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 minister at
| tentively. He was not at all what his
| neighbors would have denominated free
handed, yet he had just appreciation Of
| the quality of benevolence in other people
| Neither was he 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 affairs
/ as an entirely unnecessary evil-one which
| prudence and forethought might overcome.
/ NOW ne Sn0OK MS petitioners nand nearI
| lily.
ats bargain" said he. "When will you
take the cow off my handsp
Tonight, if you will lend me your assist
| ance,n was the ready response.
"Better take one Of those | haven't
MIXED, said the deacon, with smile, "and
| save me trouble"
Accordingly. little while later, the min
recent acquisition down the farm house lane,
4 i, - I, g, ,e% ~
sleepy little hamlet to the tiny cottage
where dwelt Mrs. Sperry and her brood.
There they fastened the animal to Z con-
venient post. raped softly, and departed,
with the peaceful consciousness which at
tends upon worthy deed resting upon one
Of them, at least, as mantle.
Next morning when the deacon, hoe on
shoulder, was leaving his door yard for his
cornfeld, he encount tered Mrs Sperry. Her
eyes were red, as with long watching and
weeping, and her thin lips trembled with the
emotion which she vainly endeavored TO
control
She put out both hands to him. @Deacon
Iarrabee," she said, IL have come to thank
you, and ask your forgiveness. Oh, 1 have
had such hard thoughts of you-how cruelty
hard only God knows--and my own heart.
Why, 1 almost came to pray that some
dreadful misfortune might overtake you
and all because you would not sell me- the
COW you meant to give me-"
"I-really-I-" bagan the deacon. The
situation was a most embarrassing one, and
rendered doubly so by the knowledge that
beside the open window of the room appro-
priated to his library the minister was sit
ting. no doubt enjoying the conversation
in the fullest measure. "Really, Mrs.
Sperry-I-"
snow, don't try to deny it." laughed the
widow, little nsrvously II knew the cow,
Deacon Larrabee and" she laughed again
al am bowed with contrition to think Of
my unjus. feelings toward you But l shall
always pray that you may prosper, here
after deacon; for am sure you will have q
good account of your stewardship for the
Master"
The deacon mopped his scarlet face in sore
J perplexity. How could he confess that the
gift was none of hiss Yet there really
seemed no other way of escaping from the
one-horned dilemma in which he found him
self, unless
Well, the widows generous thanks were
very pleasant to hear; and, after momen
tary elaboration, the old deacon's good
sense and genuine manliness came to the
fore. He only wished that the happy thought
had been his, the charity his own spontane
Gus deed.
Il am glad if the gift pleases you, Mrs.
Sperry," said he, taking her hand; land nov
please say no more about it Go into the
house and see the woman. I'll warrant she
has glass of jelly for the sick boy"
To Mr.. Weston, later on he said, with {
laugh, and jocnlar twinkle in his eye, @pv'
hired my man, and shall not need you; Sc
we'll shake hands and call it square.
think that's what / meant to do all the
while. though wasn't really sensible Of it
But I'll tell you one thing, Brother Weston
| don't believe the next 1.-THE will come q
hard