Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-10-29
MILERsBURG HOLMES COUNTY. OHIO THURSDAY OCTOBER

such wild, bold youth, and moreover, 81
at swords point with the minister that hi
never dared reveal his feelings, save by
sundry little attentions, noticed only by
Polly herself Now it happened that The
Deacon had, with great labor, cleared {
patch and planted it with corn. 1t wa:
growing finely on the new. rich land; and
the young ears were already formed, and
promised a fine harvest, but for several sue
cessive Sundays, there was great destruc
ton in the cornfeld. In vain he made
scare crows and set traps and even put
one Of his old coats on pole, sight that
would frighten the worst boy in the village
for he was the tithing man that terror O.
rogues. But the next Sunday the mischie
was repeated, till the patience of the OLD
gentleman was nearly worn out. But he
belonged 10 church remarkable for the
rigidity of its tenants and the strictness o.
its discipline; to have permitted any one
to stay at home to watch corn field
would have been considered heinous of.
fence.
81 declare" said the old deacon one
Sunday after sun9own, "we shall lose oul
corn, unless we catch those rascally thieves
Who knows hut they are Indians?'
As he spoke he accidentally looked at
Polly.
She sat in the corner of the great oak
settle which stood before the fire, watching
the putting steam from the tea kettle, and
looking somewhat sad.
"Why, Polly" said the deacon, with
more animation than usual, s'among all the
rest of my troubles lately, l have been
bothered by two or three young men who
want You for a wife. l have mind to
say that whoever will shoot or take prison
er the thief who steals my corn, shall have
you for wife"
Polly looked up in surprise at this novel
mode of disposing of her hand; but the
next instant there was roughish twinkl,
in her black eye and turning to her father
she said gaily, "a bargain, if you please" !"
She knew very well who would be first
upon the field, and whose courage and per-
severence would be the most likely to hold
out the longest.
"But will you keep your promise, fa-
ther?"
81 wouldn't have it said that the deacon
of the church ever told lie; so l say it
now-whoever will shoot or take prisoner
the thief, shall have you for his wife"
This nopvoroftor, NO, M ~ L. 4l,o
hired boy, and he soon circulated it thro'
the village. Great was the commotion
among the young men of the place. As
for myself, rode far and near; 1 examin-
ed the cornfeld by night, and divised eve
ry means in my power to ascertain the of
fender. Indeed, one whole night 1 watch
ed behind the stump of an old tree. But
there was no avail.
But the very next Sunday, when Parson
Goodman was saying, "the ninth head of
my discourse" the congregation was strar-
tied by the report of a gun.
There was general rising, and great
commotion among the women. Our first
thought was of Indians or Tories. There
was rush for the door, tumbling over
children and a screaming of their mothers.
But what was our surprise when fairly
landed upon the green, to see young SAT-
ford dragging with all his strength huge
bear that to all appearance had just breath
ed her last.
"I've caught the rascal at last!' he re-
peated; "and caught her too, in the very
act, you can see for youself;" he added,
pointing to the distended mouth, half fill
ed with yet unchewed corn. The poor dea-
con stood mute with astonishment, for he
recollected that, Jeptha like, he had made
a rash VOW.
The minister was the first TO break the
silence. His indignation at being disturb
ed in his discourse, and his anger at such
an open violation of holy time, were at
boiling point. He exclaimed in bis loud
est tones: "Young man, who are you,
that you should disturb the worship of the
sanctuary Know you not that you are
breaking the laws of God and man. Con-
stable Chapman, arrest this man and hold
him prisoner until further disposal can be
made of bis person.
Poor Stafford was thuuderstruck; he had
intended no harm, but in his eagerness to
display his prize, and supposing service over,
he had hastened towards the village. 1t
had not once occurred to him that he was
a church member, and as such liable to
censure.
He knew that it was wrong to absent
himself from meeting, but he thought the
offence would be pardoned, because of the
the benefit conferred. Seeing he WAS
about to be taken prisoner. he at first re-
sisted, but recollecting that he was in the
hands of legal officer, he thought best to
submit quietly. His confinement, howev-
er, was short, and another mode of punish
ment proposed.
During the week church meeting was
called, and young Stafford cited to appear
thereat, and give reasons why he should not
be excommunicated from church for his
high-handed wickedness. The deacon was
present, but Polly was nowhere to bo seen.
When her father proposed SO summarily
TO dispose of her hand, her first thought
was of Stafford, and knowing his bold and
daring spirit, she felt sure that he would
win. Poor girl! She little thought of such
sad termination of the affair. To be ex-
communicated from church was, in the eyes
that little community, a most grevious in
Fiction. Such unfortunates were consider
ed as losing caste, and were ranked among
pagans and inidels.
Stafford pleaded his own cause with all
Al Il L