Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-03-20
SEBA'S PRAYER,
ACCIDENTALLY OVERHEARD.


OR
ACCIDENTALLY OVERHEARD.
Mrs Olcott, the minister's wife, did not
care much about old Peter Bishops not be
lieving in the efficacy of prayer, but che
hated to see him pervert his daughters
mind on the. subject.
Peter said he was quite willing to be con-
WINGED, and to prove that he was right his
daughter was to pray for two weeks for
something she wanted. If she received the
proper answer to her prayers he would
doubt no longer.
And SO it was agreed upon between the
two.
Now, there was to be fair in town very
soon and the principal attraction at least in
the children's mind was doll with an i'm
ported outfit, a Saratoga trunk and set of
jewelry.
This doll, called Violetta Grey, was to be
sold on the last day of the fair at auction.
Seba had seen her dollship and longed to
have her. She therefore began to pray very
hard every night that it might be given to
her.
Now, DIR. Dobbins happened to hear the
little girls prayer one night, and meeting
Mr.. Olcott some nights afterward they had
a confidential talk about her case.
Seba had coaxed her father to take her to
the fair on the evening of the day when the
auction finished up the fair.
He bought her small toy and some ice.
cream. He let her stand as long as she
would in front of the doll. Over its head,
in golden letters, shone the name, "liss
Violetta Grey" Some of its costumes were
displayed. A great stuffed chair and pier
glass were near; also toy poodle.
'fOh, papa!' cried the child.
eyes, them sort is for the children of
capital. Laboring men can't get 'em, -"
said Bishop.
He walked away, and the child followed
him. He bought her white sugar rabbit
and a bunch of paper roses. But she thought
only of Miss Violetta Grey, with her clothes
for four seasons, and at intervals she pray
ed silently. If this was wrong, she never
dreamt it could be.
And now the auction began.
The auctioneer, noted lawyer of the
place, arose. Things fell beneath the ham
mer. The unlikeliest people bid for things
Men had their arms full of trifles: ladies had
bags and laps full.
At last all was gone. Miss Violetta Grey
remained at home alone, standing near her
possessions, with her never changing smile,
her fan forever poised, her parasol that
moved not.
~ o ColcUIdtcu uUlli MISS tlOleGGa
Grey" said the auctioneer, "as we'll provid-
ed with garments as any fashionable belle.
Her chair, the trunk, all the things about
her, go with her. How much do hear for
Miss Violetta Grey?"
A voice rang out clear and deep; Given.
ty-ive dollarsp'
1t was the rich western mantle Silver
King, some called him-who had made the
bid.
Thirty ~ cried another voice.
That was DR.. Dobbin.
''Forty p cried the Silver King.
"Fifty ~ came in feminine voice.
The good Mrs. Olcott had just that much
in savings bank. She ventured it.
''Fifty Fifty p repeated the auctioneer
'Fifty dollars bid for this exquisite doll =
''Seventy-hvev' said the Silver King.
"One hundredr' roared DR.. Dobbin.
The Silver King roared with laughter.
"Two hundredr' he said.
DR.. Dobbin added: 1.-TWO hundred AMI
temp
''Two hundred and fiftyr' said the Silve
King.
Dr.. Dobbin sat down. The minister
wife sat down, too.
There was laughing and talking. Tn
Silver King took the doll in his arms.
''The more they have, the more they get,
said old Bishop. 81 couldn't have bough
that for you. eff you died cryin' fur it.
Seba was silent.
Meanwhile, the rich man had drawn tn,
minister's wife aside.
''See here" he said. 81 want you Il
help me. My girl has got hold of a stor,
about child that has been praying for thi
doll two weeks. She made me say I'D buy
it and give it to the little creature. Where
Is sheq''
It's that child there. Bishop, the black
smith-his little GIRL" said the minister
wife; ''you angel of man. Heaven bless
you and your little daughter"
1.-THE yellow frame house near the smithy
said the millionaire and was off
Seba and her father plodded homewar6
shortly afterward. He struck match anc
lit lantern, standing outside the door be
fore he went in.
He felt in angry mood. He was poor
hard working, ignorant. and had beer
amongst many we'll dressed, fashionable
folks. The millionaire paying two hun
dred and fifty dollars for doll made him
furious. "While we toll for a crust" he
said. Then he saw bundle tied to his
door-knob. 1t was a thing Of human
shape; baby wrapped in paper, it look
ed.
who's done this? he said furiously; but
Seba united the cord directly, and took il
in her arms.
II think it is what I've been praying fol
for two weeks, papa" she said. 81 CUES:
it is Miss Violetta Grey. And here is hel
trunk. Papa, you see Mrs. Olcott is right
after all.''
He held the lantern while she united the
parcel and stared stupefed with asronish.
ment as she read the note-"A stranger is
glad to give this doll to little Seba
Bishop"
81 saw him pay the money for it." he
said. "IG's what call q miracle !"
Then the watching group outside the
window tiptoed away, and all were very
grave and very happy.
And old Bishop never hindered his child
from praying again.
"However it was answered, it was an.
swered, anyway" he said. sim fair,
whatever | am. You can have her all you
like, and teach her what you choose
don't set up my Judgment any more. TIE
child has a right to her own. She's an.
swered, If I've never been. Maybe it's be
cause she's better. Heaven knows"
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