Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-05
SPEAKING HIS MIND

Old Deacon Hobhouse had a habit of fire.
quently thinking aloud. Especially if any
matter troubled him, he had TO talk it over with
himself before his peace Of mind could be re-
stored One day he was alone in his barn
pitching hay from the scaffold to the NOV
Stevens heard voice and listened. 1t was
the deacon talking to himself. He was con-
deuIning in the strongest terms the extrava-
gance Of the minister's wife
"She sets worse example than Satan :" ex-
claimed the deacon, by way of climax.
And having freed his mind, he was prepar-
ing to come down from the loft, when Stevens
AS the deacon landed on the floor.
"How de do, deacon?" cried Stevens al
want to borrow your half-bushel an hour or
two "
40, sartin, sartin," said the deacon. The
measure was put into the neighbours hands,
and he departed.
Iswas peaceful comuuunity the ministers
wife was an excellent woman, notwithstanding
her love of fnery, and Deacon Hobhouse was
Of all men the least disposed to make trouble
in the society. Hence the sensation which
was produced when the report circulated that
he had used almost blasphemous language in
speaking of that amiable lady. The sweetest
tempered woman would not like to hear of a
grave and influential deacon declaring that
"she sets worse example than Satan" The
minister's wife, whose ear was in due time
reached by the report, felt in high degree in
censed, and sent her husband to deal with the
honest old man.
The latter was astonished when told of the
charge against him.
- / never said so - he solemnly averred
" You are quito positive that you never
did 20 said the minister
Heaven knows It's false as false can be ~
exclaimed the deacon. "Whatever thoughts
may have had about your wife's extravaganza
and 1 am no,r free to say do think she has
set our wives and daughters a-running after
new bonnets and shawls, and such vanities-
whatever thoughts I've had, though, I've kept
'em to myself; l never mentioned 'em to a
living soul, never!'
The good mans earnestness quite convinced
the minister that he had been falsely reported.
1t was therefore necessary to dig to the root of
the scandal. Mrs. Brown, who told the min
ister'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 accord
ingly brought up for examination, and con-
frOnted with the deacon.
al It's an outrageous falsehood =" said the
deacon. "You know, Stevens, 1 never opened
my lips to you on the subject, nor to any other
man."
ncdIu you say, IendTkeu OIeFens, cool
ly, 4" that the minister's wife sets a worse ex-
ample than Satan; and | can take my oath of
it."
when where 20 demanded the excited
deacon.
"In your barn." replied Stevens, " when 1
went to borrow your half bushel."
There never was such q lie, Stevens
Stevens" said the quivering deacon, "you
know
SWAT till 7 explain ., interrunted Stevens
I" was on the barn floor, you was up on the
scsffold pitching hay, and talking to yourself.
l thought it too good to keep; SO, just for the
joke, told what heard you say"
The deacon scratched his head, looked hum
bied, and admitted that he might, in that way
have used the language attributed to him. To
avoid trouble in the society, he afterwards went
TO apologize to the minister's wife.
You must consider" said he, that was
talking to myself; and when talk to myself
am aPt to speak my mind vcry Jreeiy."-
True Flag