The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-25

one.
He sent for his sister, Miss Priscilla Bas-
satt, who certainly carried out his views
in regard to raising children. She dear
ly loved the little Prudence, but, like her
brother, she never allowed her affection
to show ITSELF Strict and stern had been
the religious training Of both the deacon
and herself. There was no compromise
with Satan in regard to either dress or de-
pertinent. Anything that savored of
worldly desires or heshly vanities was
stricken out of their lives.
"Levity in manners leads to laxity in
principles" was part OF her creed. So
she sternly glowered at the bad little
boys who sat in the back benches. The
possibility that there might be some
good ones among them never entered her
head. OF course they we're all bad. How
could they help it with such raising as
they hadl
Yet, when the fever ragged in the village
and few we're found willing to enter the
infected homes, Mrs Priscilla came to the
front. From house to house she went,
with nourishing food and medicine, and
tenderly bathed the flushed, burning
brows with her cool, steady hand.
Prudence Bassatt grew to womsnhood
pure and sweet, like a fair, lonely little
harebell, clinging with all its gentle
might to the great stony rocks; dainty
little lady, with eyes as blue and soft as
her dead mothers. She never had COM
panion except the squire's young daugh-
ter, and she had died when she was fifteen.
So from that time Prudence had gone on
her way, lonely and quiet, for the deacon
was very careful of his daughters friends.
Deacon Passatt had one great desire.
Until that was grati6ed he could not, he
thought, devote his time to anything else.
Years before he had made up his mind
just how many thousands were necessary
to make Prudence rich woman before
he would waste one moment in pleasure.
SO all his energies were directed to that
end.
It came to pass one bright morning
that Zadok Bassatt was surprised by a
visit from his cousin, Harriet Wentworth.
"Pm going to take your little girl home
with me, Cousin Zadok," she said en-
phatically. prudence does rot look
very strong and certainly needs change
from the humdrum life she has been
leading"
Humdrum life! Deacon Bassatt stared
in amazement. 1t was the same life that
he had always lived and his father had
lived before him, and therefore it was
good enough for her.
"She is just the age of my Alice" con-
tinued Mrs. Wentworth, "and am sure
they would both enjoy the visit"
At first the deacon was strenuously op-
posed to the unheard of proceeding. He
thanked his cousin very stiff1y, but said
he preferred to keep his daughter at
home and away from the follies of city
life. But Mrs. Wentworth was not to be
baked.
"Let her come with me, Zadok,' she
pleaded. Indeed it is for her good. She
grows more like her mother every day"
That last suggestion made him falter.
He remembered how her mother with
the same sweet disposition and gentle
ways, had faded before his eyes.
So, after little more persuasion, it
was decided, and when Cousin Harriet
went back to town Prudence went with
her; but not without many silent prayer
in her fathers heart that she might not
be led away by the pomps and vanities OF
this wicked world.
At first, the hustle of city life confused
the quiet, shy maiden. Many time
she wished herself back again with her
silent father and precise Aunt Priscilla.
But as days wore away things altered.
One afternoon her cousin Alice came
busting INTO the room, exclaiming: ooh,
Prue, Tom is waiting down stairs with a
friend of his, Owen Rainsford, who is
going to try our new organ in the church;
and Tom says he will take us, if we hur-
ry."
"In the confusion Prue hardly noticed
the dark eyed stranger who was intro
duced to her; and in few minutes under
Cousin Toms quick escort, the party
reached the church.
LET me stay down here" pleaded
Prudence, as they prepared to go up to
the organ loft; 81 will wait in one OF
these pews for you; indeed, 1 would
much rather"
"Why you bashful little Prue," laugh
ed Alice. But they let her have her wish.
With hands clasped tightly. together,
Prudence Bassatt looked with awe
around the beautiful church, so different
from any with which she had been accus-
toned. Down through the great stained
windows the sun fell in mellow light
at her feet and glittered on the chancel
rails.
Suddenly there fell upon her ear such
burst of music that she fairly held her
breath. Louder and grander the notes OF
the organ pealed forth, and then sank to
low, sweet tones, and finally died away
into silence.
The pink on her cheeks deepened to a
carnation as she listened breathlessly.