The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-04-19
Speaking His Mind.


frequently thinking aloud. Especially il
any matter troubled him, he had TO talk
il over with himself before bis pevce oi
mind could be restored. One day he was
alone in his barn, pitching hay from the
scaffOld to the NOV, when his neigbbor
Stephens went TO find him. Stevens
heard voice and listened. II was the
deacon talking to himself. He was con.
demning in the strongest terms the ex-
travagance OF the minister's wife.
"She sets a worse example than Satan!"
exclaimed the deacon, by way Of climax.
And having freed his mind he was pre-
pairing 10 come down from the loft, when
Stephens glided out Of the barn, and came
10 again just as the deacon landed on the
floor.
How de do, deacon ?" cried Stevens.
IL want 10 borrow your half-bushel an
hour or two"
30 sartin, sartin," said the Deacon
The measure was put into the neighbour
hands, and he departed.
1t was peaceful comm uuity-the min
istei's vile was an excellent woman, no,
withstanding her love of Emery, and
Deacon Hobhouse was OF all men tue
least disposed TO make trouble in the So
ciety. Hence the sensation that was pro-
duced when the report circulated that be
had used almost blaspbemous language
in speaking of that amiable lady. The
sweetest tempered woman would not like
to hear Of grave and influential deacon
declaring that "she sets worse example
than Satan u The minister's wife, whose
ear was ir due time reached by the report,
Ie!t 10 high degree incensed, and sen,
her husband TO deal with the honest old
man,
The latter was astonished when told
Of the charge against him.
81 never said sol" be solemnly averred
"You are quite positive that yoa nevei
did ?" said the minister.
"Heaven knows It's as false as can
be p exclaimed the deacon. "Whatevei
thoughts l may have had about your
wife's ex.ravagance-and l am noU free
TO say do think she has set our wives
and daughters running after new bon
nets and shawls. and such vanities-what
ever thoughts I've kept 'em to myself;
never mentioned them 10 a living soul
never"
The good mans earnestness quite con
vinced the minister that he had beer
falsely reported. 1t was therefore neces
sary 10 dig the root Of the scandal. Mrs
Brown. who told the minister's wife, hac
heard Mrs. Jones say that Mr.. Adams salt
that Deacon Hobhouse said so and Mr.
Adams, being applied to, stated that h
bad heard the report from Stevens, who
said tha: he had heard the deacon say so
Stevens was accordingly brought up fol
examination, and confronted with :ht
deacon.
"It's an outrageous falsehood," SAID
the deacon. "You know, Stevens.
never opened my lips 10 you on the sub
ject, nor to any other man."
81 heard you say. remarked Stevens
cody, that the minister's wife sets &
worse example than Satan; and l car
take my oath of it,"
"When where" demanded the ex
cited deacon.
SIN your barn." replied Stevens, "wher
a went 10 borrow your hall bushel."
!, There never was such lie Stevens
!, Stevens" said the quivering deacon
"you know"
r swat till I explain" interrupted Sic
= veus. 81 was on the barn floor. you wa
4 up on the scaffold pitching hay and talk
ing to yourself,I thought it was too goo
to keep; SO just for the joke, / told wins
l heard you say"
E. The deacon scratched his head. looked
, bumb.ed, and admitted, that be might. il
! that way. have used the language attrib
uted to him. To avoid trouble in th,
society. he afterwards went 10 apologize
I to the minister's wife.
/ "You must consider" said he, "that
was talking to myself; and when talk t.
! myself. l am apt to speak my mind raihe
{ freely."-IIus Flag.