The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-06-11
How Deacon Brown got sold.
BY FRANK rREEQuILL.

BY FRANK rREEQUILL.
Deacon Brown considered himself pillar
of the church, and CHIEF conservator Of the
public morals, nor was this idea cf his delu-
sion. He was strenuous advocate Of church
discipline, and in his every day walk present.
ed to the world an example Of the most rigid
piety. Though, perhaps, trife Puritanic
and bigoted, he was yet mar OF the sternesi
and most uncompromising virtue. But, a
Tom Hood sa~s:
"Alas! for the rarity
OF Christian Charity
Under the SUM-"
The old Deacon had not the least bit Of Il.
Having no faults or foibles Of his own Cat least
he thought SOY that called aloud for charity,
he could not understand why they should ever
form component part in the natures Of other
people. He had passed the hey-day Of youth,
and had quite forgotten that he was once
young. With much business and responsible
ity resting on himself, he failed to see how
those with fewer cares could possibly be mer-
ry and unconcerned. Indeed, the Deacon wit
messed many very common human phenomena
for which he could assign no other cause than
moral depravity, and withal, he had one weak
ness which very naturally grew out Of his
lack Of charity. This was almost unbounded
credulity as to the short comings which gos-
sip is daily charging upon some members Of a
community. So credulous was ihe Deacon in
this respect, and so ready to believe in the cul-
pability of another, that he was often made the
victim of a practicable joke; and though he
lived in village Of not over FIVE hundred in
habitants he had been made to believe that it
contained several gambling dens. and at least
two Peter Funk auction shops. He was one
time convinced that society Of Free-lovers
held meetings in the Town Hall, but before
completing his plan for their suppression, they
turned out to be lodge of Know Nothings.
Thus he was often put on the wrong track, but
unlike Knight Russ Ockside. M. d., he never
quite succeeded in ''getting lis teeth cut."--
But it is only the last ''drive'' played off on
him that we designed to record. 1t happened
in this wise: Elder Wisely, pastor Of Deacon
Browns church was on tour at the South
for the benefit of that clerical disorder. the
b.oachit's. Mrs. Wisely, the second wife Of
the elder, was for some reason left at home.
This lady was quite youthful, and had by her
gentle qualities, won the esteem of the entire
parish. 1t was during the absence of her wor-
ty husband that Deacon Brown, on going to
tia" po ost-ofiice one morning received the fol-
lowing communication:
PoDGEviLI E, July l6, 1856.
Mr.. Brown-Dear Sir: I take the liberty
to disclose to you some facts which have given
me as much pain as they will yourself. Ikncw
beyond all question OF doubt, that stranger
very mysteriously made his appearance last
night in the private parloi Of Mrs. Wisely
He was last seen there about half-past eleven
O'Clock; no one saw him enter the house, and
up to the present hour this morning, Re has
not been known to depart. think thus new
visitor was expected, and that he is destined
to share the affections Of Mrs. Wisely. The
voice Of this new conner has been distinctly
heard in her room, and she has even been heard
to address him in the tenderest and most loving
tones.
Such are the facts. You can act IN the
premises as your sense Of duty may dictate.
My opinion is, that should Elder Wisely be
informed Of the strangers advent, it might hast
en- his Ie urn.
(Signed) A FRIEND OF FIDELIrY.
As the Deacon read this spistle, there was
q visible tremor In his hand. He polished his
Eyeglasses with . silk handkerchief, and pc.
rused it carefully second time. But Deacon
Brown was not the man TO swerve from duty,
though 1t led him where he would not 60. In
a moment he was resolved. Putting the let
ter in his hat, and buttoning his coat to the
chin, he FASTENED down to his hardware store,
and whispering to confidential clerk, he
struck his cane very decidedly on the pave,
greeted no one with his usual 'sgood- morning."
but seemed absorbed in the contemplation VI
a great purpose. Arriving at the scene Of his
triumph, he stationed his clerk in front of the
house, and giving the bell knob a cautious pull,
was .oon admitted by the servant girl. The
dialogue then and there took place.
sis Mrs. Wisely in2''
eyes, sir; she's in bed, sir''
The Deacon here examined his watch, and
muttered, "half past sevenP' He then ad.
ded.
"How long before Mrs. Wisely will rise
mam?''
swell, really, sir, can't tell; wont you take
a seat in the rarlorp
"No, thank you-cant stay. Did Mrs.
Wisely have company last night man."
s.Yes, sir; Believe she did, sir; she
she-D
Here the girl blushed, hesitated, and striv-
ing to conceal her embarrassment, showed too
plainly that she would evade the true sxplana-
ton.
The Deacon intcrposed, as If to relieve her,
and said:
t'The company, suppose, nam, was young
gentieman--a stranger to you?"
s'Yes, sir, believe he 10 sir."
''Is that young gentleman in the house now,
man,"
"To be sure, sir."
"Will you be so kind as to state what part
Of the house?"
"He is in Mrs. Wiselys bedroom, nr."
The Deacon's manner had by tins time be-