The Forrest City times., 1891-03-20
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

"BnAUrY and the Beastl Minnie Stokes for Beauty-who'll be the Beasti" and Mrs. Lovejoy looked at the group of eager children before her for an answer.
 Minnie had already stepped from the ranks; and now there sprang to her side a boy some three years her senior, who said, II will, Mrs Love joyl"
 "Youll do," was the laughing re- sponse. "Stand over there, both of you;"--and the young couple joined the ranks of performers, whose posi- tion was assigned them.
 "What are you doing9" cried Q merry voice at the door; and in a moment the newcomer was the centre of a group composed of all the chil- dren in the room"
 "Now, Lou, see how you've bother ed me. shall never get these chil- dren sorted again in the world"
 But what is it?"
 My Clara is going to have tab leaupartv, and we are taking fairy the tales to illustrate. I've fonnd parts for some of the children, and sent them of to that end of the room.'
 "Well, sort them out again; come, I'll help you;''-and, catching up the book, the merry girl called name after name from those written.
 Beauty and the Beast; Minnie Stokes; Beast, Henry Wood. Oh. Fan!" she whispered. .'how could yous'
 "Chose it himself, my dear" was the answer. "A gook joke call it'-and Mrs. Lovejoy took up her list again,
 But Lou's spiteful eyes, resting on the children. did not mirror any ofher cousins mirth. Minnie and Henry were standing in one of the window niches, talking earnestly, unconscious of the soft blue eyes bent so lovingly upon them.
 Minnie was beautiful child oftwelve years, with brown curls and dark eyes. perfect in form and feature. Henry had the face of an angel. with the fig ure of Caliban. He had been tall, well-dcveloped boy for five years of his life, when a terrible fall had ruined his form. His spine was injured, curv- ing till he was almost hump-haekcd, his hip was. crooked, causing him to limp; and the whole figure was twisted out of shape and almost the semblance of humanity. The face was lovely. blonde, waving hair, large blue eyes, delicate features, and an ex- prcssion of perfect good-humor were its leading points of beauty.
 Minnie. the pet of the whole town of Fairwater. was the warmest champion and friend of the crippled child ot the clergyman. the Rev. Godtred Wood. She was tho only one who knew how false was tho content the unseliish boy protessed to his sorrowing friends. She alone knew how every jest he made upon his own deformity was q sword-thrust to his sensitive spirit; and now, as they stood in the window, she was pleading with him to relin- Quish the part he had chosen. But he was obstinate; the character would keep him at her side, and he had de- termined to take 1t.
 At last all were provided, and the rehearsals and dresses were the main business of all tho little folks of Mrs. Clara Lovejoy's s circle of friends.
 The birthday party was T complete success Never had Minnie looked lovelier than when she knelt over the expiring beast. whose false head and shaggy coated figure her tender little heart longed to hide from the curious eyes looking at them. As is often the case, the names of the performers clung to them: and for many weeks Minnies heart swcled painfully at hearing Henry called Beauty's Beast; but at last the tableatix and names faded away in new interests among the young folks of Fairwater.
 Years glided by, and Henry Wood was ordained. He had followed in his fathers footsteps; and Fairwater was waiting to hear his first sermon, before he left them for the home and duties to which he had been appoint ed.
 Minnie, m heiress and belle, beauti- full beyond even the promise of her childhood, was most anxious to hear the first effort ofher old friend. Years of study and humble seeking for the will of tho Master he had chosen. had set their seal upon the pure spirit ual face of tho young clergy man; and, as he stood up to face the friends of his life, there was hush od awe went round tho church. The full white robes and hood concealed the misshaped figure, and only the fair face spoke to them of the boy they had watched grow from childhood to youthfu manhood.
 Slowly they dispersed, each wonder ing at the eloqnence and piety of the young devoted; and the next day Henry Wood went out from amongst them on his Masters service.
 In one of the largest houses in Fair water, Minnie Stokes sat, reading love-letter. Her rich beauty was fully developed. and every decoration wealth could give her was at her com mand. From the jewelled band that held her clustering curls. to the dainty slipper that covered her tiny foot. her drcss was exquisite and costly. She had been dressing for large party when the letter was brought to her. With 1t was n bouquet. which she was implorcd to carry, ii tho an swer to the suit wasa favorable one.
 She was offered all that had con l.~ In, haA