Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-02-22
RlllINGS-AN ANGEL.
IBy Flavel Scott Mines

- ILLINGs was an angel in the dis
guise of a small negro. He had
TX attained the age of IL and was
exceedingly short of stature, II
being the generally expressed be-
lief that his spiritual development
had been at the expense of his physica
increase. Plainly stated by more irrev
erent admirers, it was because the bless
ings showered upon his woolly head had
been so many that they weighed him
down and made it impossible for him tc
rise above material level of four feet
HOwbeit, Billings was small for his age
and supernaturally good. 1t was actual
ly painful to see how good that boy was
rebuke to his elders and betters in So
ciety. He went to Sunday-school twice
every Sunday, evincing wonderful i'm.
Partially by attending shouting minis.
ter of his own race in the morning and
the Episcopal mission in the afternoon
He went year in and year Out-beine
neither fair weather Christian nor q
Christmastide scholar-and he passed
through this dual trial every Sunday IN.
scathed or undisturbed by conflicting
doctrinal or theological questions. He
reconciled the varied teachings in some
way and made continual progress in
goodness, and what more was necessary
He was altogether too good to live,
was Billings, asserted the women OF the
household, connecting for some reason
not apparent to the male mind longevity
with more or less wickedness. 1t was
useless for mankind to point to the pa
triarchs to furnish instances of age and
goodness. Things were different then,
asserted the weaker sex with more force
than logic, apparently pinning their be.
lief to the literal Interpretation of the
old adage which boldly declares 'the
good die young" and means something
entirely different. These points are
worth nothing, because they were
brought up in several family controver-
sizes in re Billings.
A county in Virginia bounded Bill
ings's world-a country house where
his ancestors had been slaves furnished
his knowledge of polite society. He was
one and the youngest OF many children,
and the only one Of his clan who showed
any capacity or desire for work. Morn.
ing and night Billings trudged to and
fro between "rhe Manor" and his hum
BILE cabin. Servants were scarce; that
is, they were like the birds of the air,
and not to be caught with golden bait
so Billings filed large space for so
small body in the mepage OF the Man
or. 1t was the custom for all the family
even the third and fourth cousins-to
gather at the old house In the autumn,
and at the end of the first six months of
Billings term Of service the house was
filled with near and remote members OF
the family. 1t being pleasant season,
tent with the sweetness of doing nothing,
hor hnunnH tho A hnpr
the stable and Billings at the house the
household was taken in charge by the
numerous girls who thought it more OF
less fun-for little while.
Then that meek and gentle youth
shone with glory. He was always smil-
ing, always agreeable and ever ready to
stop in the middle of one duty to begin
another, and leave that half done at the
solicitation of a third-but the marvel
was that Billings returned to his first
and second services and finished them
A sigh went up each night as the little
figure started across the fields-a sigt
of uneasiness lest he should fall into the
family prejudice and fail to return tt
work. But the sun was not more regu
lar, and Billings would appear the mex
morning, find the kitchen key hanging
by string from the upper piazza, ant
the fire lit and the cows MIXED before
the amateur cooks appeared on the scene
to set breakfast. Then during the day
he was always in demand and ever busy
The proverbial bee himself would hav'
worn out his wings in accompanying
Billings in his daily work.
The family consisted of six girls, three
mothers, half dozen boys of all age
and fifth cousin from New York. Thi
latter was young man of 80 who dit
his best to win the approval o. all hi
neutrality-suspicious. one. This one
it was believed, was the magnet which
drew him to Virginia, he having been I'm
aware of her existence until the summe
previous, when they had met in the Adj
rondacks. He was alous marion
A.hton-and groaned at the praises Law
ished upon Billings.
tsYou'll make him go conceited," pro
claimed Tom, the oracle, THAT he'll b
worth nothing"
ssBut he seldom gets word of praise,
pat in Billings's fair defenders, land h
surely deserves it."
.sThat may be-" returned the youn
man, ssbut when the atmosphere is fairl
charged with fiattery the object of it
bound to become acquainted with IT'D
absorption or telepathy or some way
Now Grace and Nan and all the rest d
nothing but discuss Billings all da
long"
siYou're jealous" retorted Nan; s'may
be you'd like US to talk about you"
siWny, yes" Tom answered with sue
ayidity that Nan blushed consciously
and one of the others was forced to ga
that ssThen the remarks wouldn't be g
complimentary"
81 doan reckon Mr.. Ashton favor
me-" drswled Billings one day Will
busy in the kitchen. "'cause he neve
asks me to do nothin' for i'm"
SHOW" said Nan, after repeating tn
remark, "what do you call that b.
Christian charity? The poor atom hs
but one idea-that of being useful
somebody"