The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-04-26
TIID CADIZ DEMOCRATIC SENTINEL,


paper Of matches. Deacon Goodman need
ed no secondary motive to Christian duty;
yet historical truth demands the concession,
that the wife of the poor drunkard was his
first love. She Tilted him, or as we Yam
KEGS say, gave him the mitten, in favor Of
the ablect wretch who was now become her
tyrant. And this was the way he fed fat
the ancient grudge' he owed herl The
truth is, Deacon Goodman knew nothing a.
bout grudges ancient OF modern. The old
Adam would occasionally flare up, but al
ways got him under before sun.down.
All was ready, and in FIVE minutes the
Deacon was exposed to the peltings of the
pitiess storm But what did he care fol
the storm? / am going on Gods errand,
said he to himself. Il am going to visit the
worse than widow and faLherless." The
next thing he said was, 'Oh, get out That
he meant for the promptingS of his own
proud heart.
Misery, misery, indeed did he find in that
most miserable dwelling. The poor wretch
himself was dead drunk on the floor. The
poor pale woman was sobbing hervery heart
out. The children were clamorous; and but
few were the words Of their clamor. / am
cold Il am hungry,--and that was ALL
The Deacon brought in the wood; made up
fire; lighted candle; and emptied the bag
and basket. The poor pale woman wept
and Sobbsd her thanks. 'Oh, you varmint,
said the Deacon, as he looked at the nus
band and father; and broke off piece OF
bread for each of the children. The gen
eral commotion aroused the poor wretch
from lis drunken stupor. He looked up
and recognized the Deacon.
Halo, old music, said he, ARE you here?
give US staye, old nightingale, Sing as
you do in meeting. Sing and scare the rats
away why, what on earth does the crit
Ter meap?' said the "Deacon. The poor,
pale, grateful woman smiled through her
tears. She could not Lelo it. She had been
"A singer in her better days; she had also
heard the Deacon sing
do not record these incidents merely be-
cause they are honorable to Deacon Good
man, but because they are particularly con
nected with my story. In this errand OF
mercy the good Deacon caught a very Sc
rious cold; it affected his throat, and his nose,
and even his lungs; and gave to his voice
a tone not unlike to that OF the lowest note
of a cracked bass-viol alternating with the
shrek Of clarionet powerfully but unskill-
fully own. On Saturday evening he soak.
ed his feet in hot water; drank copiously OF
hot balm tea; went TO bed and said he felt
comfortable. Now Deacon, said Mrs.
Goodman you are dreadful hoarse;--you
apon't sing to morrow, will you% Singing is
praying and-'-he dropped asleep. And
sure enough he did sing tomorrow and it
surpassed all that had gone before "This
is the last of it, said the choir leader, i
have done In the afternoon, the chsir
was vacant, some Of the singers absent and
others scattered about in the pews. The
Minister read three verses Of a psalm; and
then observed, 'the choir being absent. sing
ing must necessarily be omitted But Dea-
con Goodman saw no such necessity. He
arose, and sung the three verses himself
He stopped six times to snee2e; and blew
his nose between the verses by way of sym
phony! The next day he was sick abad.--
A parish meeting was hastily called, and a
unanimously passed, that, Where
as the soemnty and decorum Of public wor-
ship depend much on the character of the
music resolved, chat hereafter, NO person
shall sing in meeting, in this parish without
the appreciation of the chcir! Rather a
stringent measure; but what could they do?
The Minister called on Deacon Goodman,
and handed him the resolution. He read
it over three times. He then calmly fold
ed up the paper, and handed it back to the
Minister. This is free country yet, l hope.
| shall sing in meeting He said those
very words! He was dreadfully set in his
way.
Then Deacon, said the Minister, 4 have
a most painful duty to perform; | am in
structed to tell you, that your connection
with the society must cease The Deacon
here STATED from his seat. Had the full
moon split into four pieces, and danced a
quadrille in the heavens; Orion singing; and
the Northern Bear growing bass. he could
not have been more astounded. He was
silent. Emotion after emotion rolled over
his heaving spirit AT length tears came
to his relief, as they say in the Novels
lie spoke, but almost inarticulately y. Il
know | am poor unworthy creature, but
| hope they will take me in somewhere. =
The Minister wept himself. How could he
help it? The Deacon's cold was nearly
cured and about an hour after the interview,
he was seen mounted on old Mag, heading
due north. -Four miles in that direction
lived the worthy Minister of another par
ish. The Deacon founI him in his study,
where also was his daughter copying mnslc.
She was proficient in the art and played
the organ In her fathers's church. She had
heard of the Dcacon's musical troubles, and
had also heard him sing. Sir said he tc
the Minister, there has been little diff
Guilty in our parish, which makes me feel ii
my duty to withdraw; and have come to
ask the privilege of uniting with yours. =
Cat this moment the young lady vanished
from the room.)
Il much regret the difficulty in your par
ish, said the Minister, 'and hope it will be
amicably settled. But if you finally con.
clude to withdraw. we shall be most happy
to receive you; and when it shall please the
Lord to take good old Deacon Grimes tc
himself, (and very few days must now
give him his dismission,) we shall expec
you to sit in his seat. After half an hour.
pleasant conversation, the Deacon arose tt
take his departure. At that moment, a
boy came in and haudad billet to the Min
lister. He glarced at the billet, and 'Dea
con, sit down one moment, said he. He
,ood tLa kilt and oStar conna hesitation