The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-05-08

~ u1AA4A \ /" 81 NOGN
wickedq"
"Ye are of the world and worldly,
minded. cannot judge thee, but thy
ACTIONS hav9 not my approval"
"Oh, what do I do that you don't
llkes" she asked, in a penitent voice.
You know that I have been brought
up so, and how could I know what to
do?"
THAT isn't the question ye can do
better now"
"Oh, 1 would like to do better-so
muchl Will you tell me how9 1 should
like so much to have you, for 1 like
you"
This was said in so artless and inno-
cent a tone that it went straight home
tothe mans heart. As he walked away
from the place five minutes later he
recalled the look which accompanied
the words. Such a face, such eyes,
mouth and expression are not often
seen n this prosaic world, and Bro.
Cox should be forgiven for thinking of
them again, and then again. He never
knew before how pretty and winning
the "Stratton girl" was.
IF she was only of our belief and
number, "he muttered to himself. But
l might try to maze her one. She is
not yet lost to wickedness. She wants
to learn, I'll teach her."
After that the old hedge proved a
regular TRUSTING place for the two. Ella
found plenty of excuses for going out
to the fields, and Bro. Cox cultivated
the field near that fence oftener than
elsewhere. The weeds persisted in
cropping up on the west side of the
field, and he felt bound to keep them
under control.
One day Ella brought some lemonade
out to him, carrying it in a small silver
pitcher. 1t was some of her own man
ufacture, and the day was so warm
that it was very refreshing.
"Oh, Mr.. Cox, have some lemonade
for you," she said, as she hurried over
the field. 81 hope you like lemonade.
l made it myself, and you looked so
hot and tired out here in the u that
I had to bring you a drink"
Bro. Cox did drink, and smacked his
lips. 1t was so kind of her to think of
him, and while he talked he admired
her bright face and manners.
Gould any man look upon such a
vision of beauty and not feel his pulse
beat faster9 Cold and dutiful as the
Quaker was, there was still much vital,
ity of youth in his strong frame.
After all, he was only a man, and
the rights of nature soon broke through
all barriers of steel. He loved the
beautiful girl who helped him to lemon
ade.
Was he too old for such a bright girl
to look upon with favor7 He had been
called the handsomest man Of the com
munity before he courted his dead
wife, and he vas sure he still possessed
some Of the requisites of a lover
He could teach her the ways of his
sect, and give her a fine home. He
would gradually draw her away from
the ways of evil, and centre her mind
upon thoughts Of love, charity and re-
ligion.
'She may be frail now, but the
sturdy oak was onc but a sapling, " he
said. "She can learn and grow" He
trod the floor of his old home with a
lighter and firmer step. The baroness
of the old fashioned rooms impressed
him with a sense of dissatisfaction.
They would have to be refurnished an6
brighted. The fowers and vines around
the house needed cultivation and prun-
Jog, and even the outside of the house
would need a new coat Of paint.
1--WE thought of doing this before"
Bro. Cox muttered, land it may be
done now"
There we're improvements about the
yard, the gardens and the outbuildings
which were readily suggested to his
critical eye. He made notes of these
things and resolved to make a com
plete transformation.
"Shehas been brought up in the ways
of the city and she would not like to
come to a gloomy house. 1t will be
just as we'll to improve things a little
at first. She can't grow into our ways
at once"
The golden harvest of the autumn
was approaching. The crops nodded
obedience to the reapers on every side.
The autumn colors suggested peace
and q~uietnees in the Quaker com
munity after the toilsome days of the
summer.