Litchfield enquirer., 1861-04-11

SPEAk1NG HIS MlND-Olu DeacOn f1ODnOUSe had habit of frequently thinking aloud. Es- pecially if any matter troubled him, he had to talk it over to himself before his peace of mind could be restored. One day he was alone in his barn, pitching hay from the scafford to the mow when his neighbor Stevens went to find him. Stevens heard voice and listened. He was condemning in the strongest terms the extrava- gance of the ministers wife.
 "She sets worse example than Satan !' ex- claimed the deacon, by way of climax
 And having, freed his mind. he was preparing to come down from the loft, when Stevens elid- ed out of the barn, and came in again just as the Deacon landed upon the floor.
 How de do, deacon?" cried Stevens, q want to borrow your half bushel an hour or two 70 sartin, sartin,' said the deacon. The measure was put in the neishbor's hands, and he departed.
 It was peaceful community-the minister's wife was an excellent W ,man notwithstanding her love of fnery. and D aeon 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 grave and in- fluential deacon declaring that she sets worse example than Satan!" The minister's wife. whose ear was in due time reached by the re. port felt in high degree incensed, and sent her husband to deal with the honest old man. II never said so ' he solemnly averred. "You are quite positive that you did?" said the minister.
 Heaven knows! It's as false as false can be"' exclaimed the deacon "Whatever thoughts l may have had about your wife's ex- travagance-and I am no,c 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 l 'em to myself. never mentioned 'em to a liv- ing soul!'
 The good mans earnestness quite convinced the minister that he had been falsely reported It was therefore necessary to dig to the root of the scandal. Mrs. Brown who told the minister's wife, heard Mrs. Jones say that Mir. Adams said that Deacon Hobhouse said so aud Mr. Adams, being applied to, stated he had the report from Stevens, who said he heard the deacon say so. Stevens was accordingly brought up for examin- ation, and confronted with the deacon.
 Its an outrageous falsehood,' said the dea- con. Y You know, Stevens, Inever opened my lips to you on the subject-nor any other man" 1 I heard you say" remarked Stevens, coolly, that the minister's wife set worse example than Satan" and can take my oath on it, 1 "When? where ?" demanded the excited dea- con.
 "In your barr" replied Stevens, when I went to borrow your half bushel.". 's- -'
 "There never was such a lie!.., Stevens Stevens" said the quivering deacon" you know"
 "Wait till explain" interrupted Stevens.- :" was on the barn floor. you was on the scaf- ford pitching hay, and talking to yourself. I thought it too good to keep, so just for the joke told what heard you say"
 Yhe deacon scratched his head. looked hum- bled and admitted that he might in that way have used the language attributed to him. To aveid trouble in the society, he afterwards went 3, to apologize to the minister's wife.
 You must consider" said he, a that wAa talking to myself and when I talk ts myself, ] am apt to speak nsy mind ne',y f,sely