The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-02
BESSIE'S RIDE.
"Please, sir, give me q ride"


peered round the side Of his old buggy.
On the road stood little girl the top of
her head about even with the wheel of
the deacon's carriage, and by her side was
big basket much too heavy for her little
arms.
"Whats all this, what's all this2"
cried the deacon, sharply. "What are
you stopping me on the road for? Eh!"
II thought perhaps you would give me
ride" said the little girl looking rather
frightened. "We are both going the
same way, and my basket is awful heavy,
just lift it and see."
The deacon stared.
"May 1 get in?' she continued, scram-
bling up, basket and all, and taking the
seat beside him.
And never word did the deacon say,
but he gave old Dobbin, who had been
placidly switching the flies off with his
tail, such sharp cut of the whip, that
away they went rafting over the road,
and almost bouncing out of the carriage.
Then the deacon turned and looked at
his little companion, beginning with the
pink sunbonnet and confding blue eyes
beneath, and ending with the little dusty
boots that were resting on the lid OF the
basket.
"Humr' said the deacon, "are you one
the school children?"
"Yes," said Blue Eyes, looking up, 81
am Bessie BLY,. Don't you remember
missed in the multiplication table when
you examined us? But knew it; it was
only because you hurried me 3d."
"Well, we'll, we'll! things have come to
a pretty pass" said the deacon to himself
and shook his head sadly. 81 wonder
what this generation will be up to next"
You see, the deacon had no little boys
or girls OF his own, and the school chill
dren generally crossed the road when
they saw him coming, for they all felt an
awesome dread of Mr.. Fox. 1t was he
who examined them at the end of school.
1t was he who punished the naughty
and it was he who always asked them ter
rible questions when he came to call upon
their mammals.
So it was strange sight to see the old
deacon, with his keen eyes twinkling be
meath his bushy eyebrows, and his stern,
hard face. driving in his old buggy with
one of the school children, and market
basket by his side.
They drove along some little distance
in silence, and then the deacon felt his
coat sleeve pulled by gentle but timid
fingers. He looked down, and two large
blue eyes met his.
"Are you cross" said Bessie, "cos I
asked for u rider"
"Tut, tutl Child said the deacon.
"Then, if you amt, why don't you talk
to me?" continued Bessie, .and ask me
who discovered America? You always ask
us that"
"Then it is to be hoped you know by
this time" said the deacon. "Do you go
to Sunday child?'
ooh, yes" said Bessie, folding her
hands and crossing her thumbs, as though
she was about to repeat lesson.
"What do you learn there?" asked the
deacon.
81 learn to do unto others as would
they should do unto me, replied Bessie,
glibly, sand to love my neighbor as my
SELF"
$50 you learn all that?" said the dea-
con, swell, that's something; and who is
your neighbor? Does he go blackberry
ing with you?"
"Oh, yes" said Bessie, laughing, "but
then he is my real, next door neighbor,
you know. 1t don't mean am to love
him, for, of course, should do that, but
it means am to love everybody. Even
you"
SWELL" said the deacon looking down
at her, show are you going to manage
about that?"
'Why, 1 must love you, of course" re-
piled Bessie. "Do you mind very inuch?"
"We must do as the Sunday school
says" replied the deacon, and then he
laughed; though what there was to laugh
at, Bessie couldn't for the life of her
think.
On they went, old Dobbin, Bessie, and
the deacon, now up hill, and now down,
till they came to a tiny cottage standing
under the shadow of big house.
"Here's where 1 live" said Bessie
briskly, sand there's where you live.
Isn't it convenient" and she kissed her
hand to the deacon and skipped down.
He handed her the basket, and Bessie,
opening the gate and calling out "Good-
by" walked up the path that led to the
cottage door.
On the steps sat boy, little larger
than Bessie, whistling to himself. Turn
around" he said, 81 want to look at your
WINGS"
"Wings2" repeated Bessie, her eyes
wide in amazement.
"Yes, wings. Haven't you been riding
with the deacon? expected no less"
81 have had very pleasant ride"