The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-02
said Bessie with dignity, and she passed

said Bessie with dignity, and she passed
by her brother and entered the house.
"Well, Bessie" said her mother, who,
tea kettle in hand, wac busy making the
tea, 81 am glad to see you back. have
been thinking of you all the afternoon,
walking SO far with that heavy basket;
sit down, child, and rest"
But before Bessie could answer, Aunt
Jemima rushed in, with cap strings fly
ing. She had been sitting at the win
dow, and had seen the buggy drive up.
"Sakes alive, sister," she cried, "Bes-
sizes been driving with the deacon, and
he handed her the basket with his own
hands,"
"With the deacon% repeated Mrs. Bly,.
"Well, Bessie, what an honorl I hope you
thanked him prettily. Whatever made
him think ct inviting your"
"He didn't" said Bessie, untying her
bonnet and sitting down, 81 invited him"
Mrs. BLY, let the tea-kettle almost drop
Aunt Jemima held up her hands, and
sank speechless into chair, and Jack,
standing in the doorway, gave vent to a
whistle as shrill as small locomotive.
Bessie stared from one to the other.
"What is the matter?" she said.
"Wellr cried Aunt Jemima, as soon as
she had breath enough to speak, off you
are not the forwardest child ever saw.
Asking the deacon, as pert as you please
to give you ride, as if you didn't know
he was the richest man in town, and
didn't see him every blessed Sunday
passing the plate"
"pm astonished at you, Bessie" said
her mother reproachfully. cit will be all
over town next, and what the neighbors
will say of you, I'm sure can't think"
s'If she was my child she should go to
bed without any supper" continued
Auut Jemima.
''Why do you act so?' said her mother.
"Any one would imagine to zee you,
that you hadn't any bringing up. Now,
Bessie. eat this piece Of bread and go to
bed"
But Bessie couldn't eat. She was very
unhappy, and all she could say was:
81 had very pleasant ride, mamma"
As this didn't mend matters, she picked
up her bonnet and went up stairs. After
she had been in bed few minutes, Jack
came in, and sat down. The sun was
just sinking, and the sky, which the chill
dren could see through the open window,
was streaked red and gold.
"What made you do it, Bess?" asked
Jack, who was whistling softly, and look
ing first at the little face on the pillow
and then at the bright sky beyond.
"Do what, Jack?"
"Why, ask for ride"
Bessie raised herself upon her elbow,
and looked anxiously in her brothers
face.
sWas it very awful?" she asked.
"Aunt Jemima thinks it was" said Jack.
"It's very queer" said Bessie, 81 don't
think any little girl would have been
afraid to ask father for a ride when he was
alive and all grown up people are alike"
90, no." said Jack eagerly, "not at all,
That would have been very different. Why
the deacon is worth thousands of dollars,
and father wasn't worth any thing at
ALL"
"He was, too," said Bessie, sharply.
"He was worth ten deacons, fifty deacons,
a hundred deacons, so there, Jack Blyp
and Bessie turned her face to the wall,
and wouldn't say another word.
OF the important events that happened
the next day, and how Bessie had to apol-,
ogize for her forwardness, you will be
told, perhaps, some other time.