The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-08-06
The Bewitched Clock.


day night human leg, enveloped in blue
might have been seen entering
Cephas Barberry's kitchen window. The
leg was followed finally by the entere per-
son of n lively Yankee, attired in his Sun
day go to mectin' clothes. Itwas in short,
Joe Maywecd, who thus burglariously, in
the dead of night, won his way into the
deacon's kitchen.
"Wonder how much the old deacon
made by ordcrin' me not to darken his
door again?" soliloquizcd the young man.
promised him wouldn't, but didn't say
nothing bout winders. Winders Is jus,
us good rs doors, If their amt no nails to
tear your trowsers onto. Wonder If Sail
come down? The critter promised me-
I'm afraid to move here, cause / might
break my shim over sumthin' or mother
and wake tho old folks. Cold enough tt
freeze polar bear here. oh, here comes
Sallym
The beautiful maiden descended with ,
pleasant smile, tallow candle and boz
Of matches. After receiving q rapturou'
greeting she made up roaring fire In the
cooking stove, and the happy couple sa
down to enjoy the sweet interchange O
views and hopes. But the course of true
love ran no smoother In old Barbery'!
kitchen than Il did elsewhere, and Joe
who was making up his mind to treat him
self to kiss, was startled by the voice O
the deacon, her father, shouting from hei
chamber door
"Sally, what are you getting up in thu
middle OF the night forP"
'Tcll him It's most morning." whispered
Joe.
81 can't tell u fib," said Sally.
"I'll make II truth, them" said Joe
and running to the huge old-fashionet
clock that stood in the corner, he set It a'
five.
"Iook mt the clock and tell me what
time it is" cried the old gentleman, up
stairs.
ats five by the clock" answered Sally,
and corroborating the words, the clock
struck five.
The lovers sat down again and resumed
the conversation. Suddenly the staircase
began to creak. Good gracious! L..
father" said Sally.
"The deacon, by thunder" cried Joe
"hide me, SAL"
"Where can I hide you'" cried the dis
tracted girl.
20, know" said he, "I'll squeeze into
the clock case"
And without another word he concealed
himself In the case and drew the door be-
hind him.
The deacon was dressed, and sitting
himself down by the cooking stove, pulled
out his pipe. lighted 1t, and commenced
very deliberately and calmly.
"Five o'clock, eh?" said he. "Well, I
shall have time to smoke three or four
pipes, then I'll 60 and feed the critters"
Hadn't you better 60 and feed the crit
ters first, sir, and smoke afterwards" sug-
restcd the dutiful Sally.
mo, smokin' clears my head and wakes
mo up," answered the deacon, who seemed
not bit disposed to hurry his enjoyment.
Bur-r-r-whiz-z-ding-ding! went the
clock.
"Tormented lightning" cried the dea-
ION, starting up, and dropping his pipe on
he stove. "What in creations that'"
ATS only the clock striking fivc," said
Sally, trcmulously.
Whiz! ding! ding! ding! went the old
,lock furiously.
Powers of mercy" cried the deacon,
striking five! it's struck hundred al
-eady."
"Deacon Barbery!" cried the deacons
,ettcr half, who had hastily robed herself
md now came plunging down the STAIR
.asc in the widest state Of alarm. "What
5 the matter with the clock?"
Goodness only knows" replied the old
nan. "It's been in the family these hum
Ircd wears, and never did know 1t to
AIRY on so before"
Whiz. bang! bang! bang! went the
lock.
"Itll burst itself!'' cried tho old lady.
hcdding food Of tears. ''and there wont
% nothing left of IT,"
"It's bewitchcd." said the deacon. who
etained n leavcn Of New England super
tition in his nature. Anyhow" said no
iter pause, advancing resolutely toward
he clock, "Ill see what's got into It,"
.Oh. don't" cried the daughter alice
iouately seizing one Of his coattails, while
Is faithful wife hung to the other.
Don't choruscd both the women to-
ether.
LET 60 my raiment!" shouted the dea-
on. 81 ain't afraid Of tho powers Of dark.
esq.,"
But tho women would not lot 60, SO the
eacon slipped OF his coat. and while nom
10 sudden cessation Of resistance. they