Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-09-26
SPEAKING HUs MIND,

Old Deacon Hobhouse bad a habit Of fire..
Quently thinking aloud. Especially il any
matter troubled him, be had to talk it over with
himself before his peace Of mind could be re-
stored. One day be was alone in bis barn,
pitching hay from the scsfold to the now,
when his neighbor Stevens went to find him.
Stevens heard a voice, and listened. II was
the deacon talking to himself. He was con-
demnIng in the strongest terms the extrava-
gance OF the minister's wife.
"Sbe sets a worse example than Satan!" eX-
claimed the deacon, BY way Of climax.
Ans having freed his mind, be was preparing
to come down from the loft, when Stevens
giIded out Ut the barn, and came in again Just
as the deacon landed on the floor.
"How dye do deacon?" cried Stevens. IL
want O borrow your half bushel an hour OF
two"
"On, sartin, ~ssrtin," said the deacon.
The measure was put into the neighbours
hands, and be departed.
Il was a peaceful communicative ministers
wife was an excellent woman, notWitbst8nd-
ing 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 be had used almost blsspheinOus language
in speaking of that amiable lady. The swee'
tempered woman would not like to bear OF a
grave and influential deacon declaring thai she
'sets a worse example than SATAN - The
minister's wife, whose ear was in due time
reached bY the report, felt in a high degree in
censed, and sent her husband to deal with the
homes, old man.
The latter was astonisbed when told of the
charge against bin,
al never said So" be solemnly averred.
'Yo" are oHite positive that you never did ?"
said the minister.
'neeyen Knows IFS as false as can be -
exclaimed the deacon. whatever thoughts 1
may have had about your wife's extravaganza
and an row free to say / do think she has
set our wives and daughters a-running after
new b0nnets and shawls and such vanities-
whatever thoughts FIe bad, though, ! kept ZEN
to myself; ] never mentioned ZEN to d living
soul n~eVeri7
The good mans esTnestnoss quite convinced
The minister that be had been falsely reported.
It was therefore necessary to dig up tie root
Of The scandal. Mrs. Brown, who had 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 be had the report from Stevens,
who said be bad heard the deacon say SO.
Stevens was accordingly brought up FOR exam
~Ination, and confronted with the deacon
"It's an outrageous falsehoOd - said the dea-
con. "You know, Stevens, I never opened ny
3 you on the subjsct-nor to any other
man, 4
IDesrd you say" remarked Stevens, coolly,
"thst the minister's wife sets a worse example
than Satan, and / can take my cath OF IT,"
"When? where? ' demanded the excited
deacon.
L. your barn." replied Stevens, "when !
went to borrow your half-bushei.7
"Tbere never was such a lie! Stevens, Ste
vsrs," said the quiveTing deacon, "yOu know
-
Wait till I explaiD,' interrupted Stevens; ;
81 was on the barn floor, you was up on the
seaffold pitching hay, and talking to yourself.
! thought it too good to keep, so, just for the
joke, / told what l heard You say"
The deacon scratched bis head, looked hum
bled, aud admitted hat be might, in hat way,
have used the language attributed to him. To
AVOID trouble in the society, be afterwards
went to apologize to the mir ister's wife.
"You must consider" said be, "that I was
talking to myself and when l talk to myself,
! an apt to speak my mind very ~freely.n