Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-03-02
sneakine his Mind.

Old DEACON Hobhouse had habit of fre-
ducnty thinking aloud. Especially if any
matter troubled him. he had to talk it over
With himself before his peace of mind could
be restored. One day he was alone in his
barr, pitching hay from the scaffold to the
NOW, when his neighbor Stevens went to find
him. Stevens heard voice and listened. 1t
was the Deacon talking to himself. He was
condemning in the strongest terms the cxtrav-
agance of the minister's wife.
"She sets worse example than Satan! ~
exclaimed the deacon, by way of climax.
Aud having freed his mind, he was prcpar-
ing to come down from the loft when Stevens
glided out Of the barn, and came in again just
as the deacon landed on the floor.
How de do, deacon, cried Stevens. az
want to borrow your half bushc! on hour or
two"
90, sartin, sartin, said the deacon. The
measure was pu5.into the neighbor's hands,
and he departed.
1t was peaceful communicative minis
ters wife was an excellent woman, notwith-
standing her love of fnery, and Deacon Hob.
house was of all men the least disposed to-
make trouble in the society. Hence the SEN
sation which was produced when the report
circulated that he had used almost blasphe-
nous language in speaking of that amiable
lady. The sweetest tempered woman would
not like to hear of grave aud influential dea-
con declaring that " she sets n worse example
than Satan p The minister's wife, whose ear
was in due time reached by the report, felt in
high degree incenscd, and sent her husband
to deal with the honest old man.
The latter was astonishcd when told Of the
charge against him.
never said so !" he solcmnly averred
You are quite positive that you never
did p said the minister
"Hcaven knows It's false as false can be ~
exclaimed the deacon &c Whatever thoughts
| may have had about your wife's oxtrava-
gance-and am now free to say do think
she has set our wives and daughters n running
after new bonnetS and shawls, and such vani-
ties whatever thoughts I've had though
I've kept 'em to myself; / never mentioned
cm to living soul, neverp
The good mans earnestncss quite convinced
the minister that he had been falsely reported.
1t was therefore necessary to x to the root
Of the scandal. Mrs. Brown, who told the
minister's wife, had heard Mrs Jones say
that Mr.. Adams said that Deacon Hobhouse
said so; and Mr., Adams, being applied to,
stated that he had the report from Stevens,
who said that he heard the deacon say so.-
Stevens was accordingly brought up for ex-
animation, and confronted with the deacon.
4" It's an outrageous falschood !'' said tho
deacon. You know Stevens, | never open,
cd my lips to you on the subject nor to any
other man"
II heard you say" remarked Stevens,'
coolly, "that the minister's wife sets worse
example than Satan; and | cantakc my oath
OF it,
"Whcn? whcrc?' demanded the excited
deacon.
"In your barn." replied Stevens, "whcn
went to borrow your half bushcl"
"Thcrc never was such lie ! Stevens,
Stevens" said the quivering deacon, you
know" -
4" Wait till | explain" interrupted Stevens.
II was on the barn floor, you was upon the
scaGfod pitching hay, and talking to yourself
| thought it too good to keep; so, just for the
joke, told what | heard you say"
The deacon scratched bis head, lookod
humblcd, and admitted that he might, in that
way, have used the language attributed to
him. To avoid trouble in the society, lie af-
terwards went to apologize to the minister's
wife s'
You must consider" said he, 90 that
was talking to myself and when l talk to
myself / am aPffo speak my mind very
freely. True Ftag.