Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-02-08
THE GOLD BEADS;
Or, Amy,s Blessed Sacrifice.
BY JENNIE p. MERCHANT.

II decla1e to gracious, Amy, I ha'n't
no patience ac5th you. Ef I'd ha'
knowed you was goin' to lose all your
sense, runnin' to hear that Prophet
Miller talk UP his new-fangled doctrine,
I'd ha' very soon stopped your goin'.
The greedy old monster! wants to build
his Advent Church so bad, he must
even take bits of keepsake jewelry from
the girls to turn into money first, an
lumber arterward.
81 Jest wish Id a. bin there; he never
would la got them beads that's all.
There, now child, get to bed, quick"
1t was late when Amy Race got home
from meeting, and her aunt had re-
tired: but the young girl went to her
room to tell her about the sermon, the
exhortation, and appeal for funds
to build house Of worship.
Mr.. Miller, generally called Prophet, "
had expatiated on the sin of wearing
jewelry, and had gone through the con-
gregation talking to individuals, and
urging them to cast in their mite" of
gold, no matter if it were not in the
form Of coin.
1t had required good bit of argu-
ment, but he finally convinced Amy
that the money her beads would bring
would help along the Lords work, and
at the same time she could claim His
blessing by showing a spirit of self
denial.
Now, Amy Race was very pretty
girl; indeed, the village of Rouford,
up among the New Hampshire hills,
could beast no prettier, though it was
the home Of many fair damsels. At her
age, just Is, it was but natural, and not
at all improper, that she should
be fond of personal adornment.
The beads had been in her
possession but short time, hav-
ing been her eighteenth birthday pres
ent.
Miss Penelope Race had unclasped
them from her sister-in-law's neck when
she lay i'll, and promised to keep them
for the little girl whose blue eyes had
but fairly opened when those Of the
young mother closed forever.
She was SCARCELY sorry to go, for her
husband had already gone, only few
days before, and she said life without
him would be int01erable.
70 Aunt Pennies care baby Amy was
committed, and so tender and loving
guardian had she proven that the little
maid grew to wonlanhood without know
ing aught of trouble or care.
Some months previous to the open
ing Of our story Mr.. Miller preached a
&series of powerful sermons, and when he
departed for a new field had sent
several jealous Adventists there to keep
before the new converts what Aunt
Pennie was pleased to term tsthe new
tangled doctrine"
Though Miss Race chung tenaciously
to her old faith, the Methodist, Amy
was one of the many converts to the
new idea.
As was her usual custom, Amy kissed
her Aunt goodnight, and retired to her
own room; candor compels the state
ment that before she slept, Amy had
shed many tears; something new for
her.
Good Miss Race was greatly disturbed
that night, and slept but little. She
was determined to get back the beads if
it were possible. &
Amy was early astir the next morn
ing. One glance at Aunt Pennies
friendly set lips convinced her that that
lady had made up her mind" on some
point; but she asked no questions.
Breakfast over, Miss Race was about
to start out to make an early call on the
minister who had SO wrought upon her
niece's heart and scattered her senses. I"
But neighbor ran in with frightfh
story of want and sickness not far away;
so Aunt Pennie filed basket and went
to the place designated.
A full hour elapsed before the good
woman could leave the sick ones, and
then she hurried to the house of a
@Millerite" who entertained the great
preacher
Too late, alas! to redeem the beads.
A peddler had spent the night there,
and before, starting away had bought
the jewelry collected Of the meeting.
In those days-more than fifty
years ago-peddlers abounded and
2ourished. Our peddler, with his
smart team and big, red wagon, had
finished up" with Rouford, and before
Miss Pennies call, was miles on his
way to some neighboring village.
Strange to say, none of the family
hal learned just where he was going.
Religion being the main topic, may
have explained it.