The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-22
' From the Boston Pathfinder.
The Deacon's aIle.n

''~t4 fi'' From the Boston Pathfinder.
The Deacon's "Ile."
Ten years ago, a better hearted, more
iovial GLASS of men did not exist than The
stage drivers Of Maine. They knew eve;
rybody and everybody knew them, II
there were "wars or rumors ofwars, they
were the FIRST TO communicate the news; il
any Of the young men-who went from the
village where they "put up to the city for
the purpose of getting into business, fell
into bad ways-with what sincere sorrow
did they communicate the dark tidings to Z
the "old folks at home;" and if, on tho
contrary, the, young men Aforesaid were
steady and prosperous, how gladly and
with what satisfaction did they tell The fond
parents they "know'd 'twould be SO l''
But the stage drivers, professionally speak
ing, are no more, and where once they
cracked their merry whips now snorts the
Iron Horse. -. s...s-ssa
Mr.. Thomas c., or as he was famil:
iarly called ..Old Tom" used to drive on
the Portland and Green line, and q more
Jolly chap never held the reins Of four
horses. Always obliging and pleasant, he
was liked by everybody. As practical
joker, hardly think he had his equal, since
the flood. The exploits of Signor Blitz,
Valentine Vox, and Perciyal Keene, when
compared with Toms, at once sunk into
the most remote insigniicance.. In short,
to use rare expression, somewhat in
vogue out West, he was trump. J.
In the village Of Greene, at the lime
write, there dwelt worthy Deacon-by
name Jones. Deacon Jones was great
man among his townsmen. AT town meet
ings, trainings, church meetings. &C., he
took the lead. But alas all great men
have their failings, and the deacon had
his. The deacon, | regret to say, would
at times take drop too much; but then
Everybody in s'them days" idibibed now
and then, SO but little was thought 81 -
But the even Cor rather uneven) tenor Of
the deacon's way was destined TO be inter.
rupted. temperance society was fofm-
ed in the town, and the deacon-thougk
reluctantly he did it-in order TO s.keepup
his posilion," put his autograph to ths
pledge. ,n y..s.'5.a ....t4
One bright morning as old Tom-whom
| we almost lose sight of in our description
| of the deacon-was about starting, he was
4 hailed by Deacon Jones who handed him
large jug with the remark that he wished
him to call at we'll known grocery store
and get it filed with the best s.lamp lie. -
On his arrivalin Portland, Tom proceeded
to the store, gave the keeper the deacon'S
letter, who, after reading it with quiet
grin, put the "ile''' up and handed the jug
to Tom. On his way 10 the hotel whore
he stopped, Tom couldn't help thinking
that there was something rotten in Dom
mark" or in palmer words, that the oil in
the jug was oil Gin a horn'!'' His suspic-
ions were excited first by the. grinning Of
the trader while drawing it and as he shook
it, tho't it trattled light for oil. Determined
TO know what was in the Jug, he examined
its contents as soon as he got to the hoiei,
!, and found that good brandy therein lay
) concealed. The next day about Eve, o..
clock, large crowd was gathered found
the "Greene Hotel" waiting for the stage.
> Soon old Tom drove up, and no sooner
7 had he thrown the reins to the ostier than
> Deacon Jones came rushing up sffave
r you got the s.ile?" said the Deacon.
e ayes, old boy" replied Tom. who, from
, too frequent potations, from the deacon =
. Jug, was little tight, s.here 'tis-all right
e "Bu, how's all this ?' enquired tho dee.
i con. shaking the jug and glancing ma
$ trustfully at Tom, '.the jug isni half fnll!'
: '.Oh," replied Tom, in a ryloud voice,
y ''the lie was so Numbering good, 4 ilsd ny
g in'ards acith about half of ~" .sez'
II The crowd yelled, the deacon tnizzled.l
and left. @s9 e.sA III ess
d This little sketch can hurt the feeling,
g of neither party, for the deaconss dead
o and s9tsSs 7sssss sftssksss
:. - ...Poor Tom ) !, cofa ~, u.