The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-07-30
How Deacon Brown got Sold.
BY FRANK FREEQUIL.

Deacon Brown considers himself pillar o
The Church; and chief conservator of the public
morals, nor was this idea ofhis altogether de-
luiion He was strenuous advocate of church
alcipline ard in his every day walk presented
10 the world an example ofthe most rigid riety.
Though, perhaps, a little puritanic and bigotcd,
he was yet man Of the sternest and most un-
compromising virtue. But as Tom Hood says,
"Alas for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the SUM-"
The old deacon had rot the least bit Of it. Hav-
ing no faults or foibles Of his own at least he
thought so that called aloud for charity, he cod
not understand why they should ever form a
component parto or the natures of other people
lie had passed the hay-day of youth, and had
quite forgotten that he was once yding. With
much business and responsibility resting on him
SELF, he failed to see how those with fewer cares
could possibly be merry and unconcerned. In
deed the Deacon witnessed many very commond
human phenomena, for which he could assign no
other cause than moral depravity, and, wthal,
he had one weakness, which very naturally grew
out of his lack of charity. Ibis was most
unbounded credulity as to the shortcomings
which gossip is daily charging upon some mem
Der ota community. SO creduIous was the dea-
con IN this respect, and so ready to believe in
the culpability of another, that be was often
made the victim of practical joke; and though
he lived in village OF not over five hundred in
hlbltants, he had been made to believe 1t con-
tanned several gambling dens, and at least, two
Peter Funk auction shops He was at one time
convinced that society of Freelovers held
meetings in the Town Hall, but, before compile
ting his plan for their apprehension they turned
out to be Lodge Of Know Nothings. Thus he
was often put on wrong track but unlike Knight
Russ OckSide, M. d., he never quite succeeded
in getting his eye teeth cut" But it is only
the last drive played off on him, that we design
recording. 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 bronchitis; Mrs. Wisely,
the second wife of the pastor was for some rea-
son left at home. This lady was quite youthful,
and had by her gentle qualities won the esteem
OF the whole parish. 1t was during the absence
Of her worthy husband, that Deacon Brown, on
going to the Post Office one morning, received
the following communication:
PoDGEvILLE, July 10, 1856.
Mr.. Brown-Dear Sir:-I take the liberty to
dirclose to you some facts, which have given me
rs much pain as they will give yourself | know
b,yond all question of GO bt, that stranger
vry mysteriously made his appearance last
night in the private parlor of Mrs Wisely. He
WIS first seen there about halfpa eleven
o'clock; no one saw him enter the house; and
up to the present hour this morning he has not
been known to depart. think this 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 pre-
riiises as your sense of duty may dictate. Nv
opinion is, that should Elder Wisely be inform
ei O. the strangers advent, it might hasten his
return. Yours truly,
4 Friend Of Fgdelity.
As the Deacon read this epistle, there was a
visible tremor in his hand. He polished his
cye-glass with silk handkerchief and perused
it carefully second time But Deacon Brown |
was not the man to swerve from duty, though
it led him where he would not CO. In mo-
fhent he was resolved Putting the letter in
his hat, and bnttoning his coat 10 his chin, he |
hastenel down to His hardware store, and whis-
pered to confidential clerk, proceeded to the
very decidedly on the pave, greetedro one with |
his usual good morning" but seemed absorbed !
in the contemplation Of a great purpose. Arri-
wing at the scene of his triumph, he stationed
the clerk in front Of the house. and giving the
bell knob cautious pull, was soon admitted by |
the servant girl. The following dialogue then
took place:
"Is Mrs. Wisely in?'
eyes sir, she's in bed sir"
The Deacon here examined his watch, and
muttered, half past seven' lie then asked:
"How long before Mrs. Wisely will rise,
tnam?'
"Wcll, really, sir / can't tell; won't you take
q scat in the parlor sir?'
'.No, thank you-can't stay. Did Mrs. WISE
ly have company last night mam?"
Yes, sir, believe she did, sir; she--shew
Here the girl blushed hesitated, and striving
to conceal hel embarrassment showed too plain
~ That She wouidcyade the true explanation. - |