Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-09-15
TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.
Selling q Deacon.

Deacon Brown is one of the klndest
sort of men; he takes as much interest
in other peoples affairs as he does in
his own, if not more Elder Wisely,
belonging to the same church, has to
leave home for several weeks on busi.
ness, leaving handsome wife behind.
Some days after he had started, Dea-
con Brown received the following
note -
Mr.. BRowN.-Dear sS;r:-I take the
liberty to disclose to you some facts
which have given me as much pain as
yourself. l know, beyond all question
OF doubt, that stranger very mysteri-
ously made his appearance last night
IN the private parlor of Mrs Wisely
He was first seen there about half past
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 the new conner has been
distinctly heard in her room. and she
has ever been heard to address him in
the tenderest and most loving tones.
Such are the facts. Please act ia
the premises as your sense of duty
may dictate. My opinion is, that
should Elder Wisely be informed of
this strangers advent, it might hasten
his return.
A FRIEND OF FIDELITY.
AS the Deacon read this epistle there
was visible tremor in his hand. He
polished his eye glasses with silk
handkerchief, and perused it carefully a
second time. But Deacon Brown was
not the man to swerve from duty,
though it led him where he would not
90. Ina moment he was resolved
Putting the letter in his hat, and bua-
tonlng his coat to the chin, he hasten
ed down to his hardware store, and
whispering TO confidential clerk. he
struck his cane very decidedly upon
the pavement, greeted no one with his
usual good morning. but seemed alb
sorbcd in the contemplation of great
purpose. Arriving at the scene of his
triumph, he stationed his clerk in front
Of the house, and giving the bell knob
cautious pull, was soon admitted by
the servant girl. The following dia-
logue then and there took place:
"3s Mrs. Wisely in %
eyes sir; she is in bed, sir"
The Deacon here examined his
watch, and muttered ''half past seven!"
He then added:
"How long before Mrs. Wisely will
rise, mam?''
'Well, really, sir, I can't tell; won't
you take seat in the parlor ?"
''No, thank you-can't stay. Did
Mrs. Wisely have company last night,
mam?"
Eyes, sir; / believe she did, sir-she
-she-"
Here the girl blushed, hesitated. and
striving to conceal her embarrassment.
showed too plainly that she would
evade the true explanation.
The Deacon interposed, as if to re-
lieve her; and said
"Ihe company, fsuppose, nam, was
young gentleman, stranger to vou?"
y es, sir, believe he is, sir
els that young gentleman in the
house now, mam?"
TO be sure, sir.''
eWill yoa ise SO kind as to state in
what part of the house?''
''He is in Mrs. Wisely's bedroom,
sir"
The Deacon's manner had by thi.
time become greatly excited, and he
gasPed out:
"Can it be can it be ~
"Can what be-"
"Why that young gentleman is, at
this very moment
''But you know, sir, he is very
young and very little gentleman, too,
SIR
what do you mean by bis being a
very little gentleman?'
"Why, hain't you heard, sir, that
Mrs. Wisely has got a baby, sir,--a
nice fine boy,-weight nine pounds
sir.''
The old gentleman, seemed, as the
phrase Is, thunderstruck. He was, for
once IN his life, favored with lucid in
terval, and he saw by the light of it
that he was sold. Saying that ''Mrs
brown would be over in the course of
the day." he took his leave, without
subjectlng the servant to any cross ex-
animation.
The joke got out in due time. and
we fear the deacon never quite forgave
the writer of that anonymous letter.
He has, however, consented to the
"stranger" having share in Mrs.
Wisely's love.
Two old gentlemen were compli-