Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-06-19

Mrs. G.-[Holding up her hands in hor-
ror.1 Dear me! You are almost as bad
as Mrs. Bright. When 1 urged upon her
to attend our female prayer meeting and
weekly mission meeting said she felt it her
duty to stay at home evenings and enter
tain her boys.
[Re-enter Deacon Bigot with halfa dozen
solemn men and women. who exchanged
greetings with Mr.. and Mrs. Hope and
Mrs. Grim, and then sit down in mourn
full silencc.1
Deacon.-I took the liberty of adjourn
ing the weekly social meeting to your house,
Brother Hope, for thought season OF
religious service would do you good.
Mr.. H.-Thank you; would enjoy it
very much.
Deacon.-I met your friend, Mr. Bright,
as went out, Sister Hope, and asked him
to come. He said he would, but guess
when he finds himself in prayer meeting
he will 60 away. Let's sing, Plunged
in gulf Of deep despair" [They began
to clear their throats, pitch the tune, and
and sing few words, when Mr. Bright
enters in brisk, bustling way, with a
basket in one hand and turkey in the
other.
Mr.. Bright.-Good evening, neighbors
How dye do, Hope? Glad to see you
Deacon Bigot told me you were going to
have a sociablc here tonight; and as am
always in for good time, surprise parties
in particular
Overwhelmingly l said So
cial meeting, Mr.. Bright.
Mr.. Bright.-Yes, yes; glad to see it,
Deacon. It's no more than right, when a
good, hard-working fellow like Hope here
gets laid up sick, that his friends and
neighbors who are getting along comforta-
bly,, should help him on his feet again. It's
social duty. We may be sick ourselves
sometimes.
Dcacon.-Wc have met here, Mr.. Bri ght,
for the purposc'of giving little spiritual
comfort.
Mr.. Bright.-Ycs, yes; said I was
right glad to see it. There is nothing like
keeping the spirits up when one amt earn
ing anything. You won't mind jokes,
MIR. Hope. I'm temperance man, you
know, but
Dcacon.-Mr. Bright, you arc interrupt
ing
Mr.. Bright-EIallo, there Jimmy and
Charlie, bring in that bag of meal and
sack Of -four. Mrs. Hope will show yo,,
where to put 'em. You didn't forget the
potaties, you young rascalS
Jimmy.-No, sir! nor the pork, nor the
beef.steak, nor the turnips.
Mr.. Bright.-Wcll, pack them into the
shed, and run home to you chcckcr-board.
(Excunt boys.l
There's some of that mixed tea my wife
thinks so much of, in that basket; and is
so proud of her broth she would send some
more, though told her you would get sick
of it. Dear, me! when had the rheum-
atism, I'll be switched if she didn't make
me eat about twenty-five gallons of broth.
Ha, ha, ha! Taste of Deacon Bigot.
Mrs. Hope.-[With her apron to her
eyes. l don't care what they say, MIR.
Bright; know there amt better Chris
tian in town than you are; and it's no
more than right that you should know we
didn't have anything to cat in the house
but a half loaf of bread, and l know the
Lord will reward you. [The ncighbors
gather round and shake hands with Mr..
Bright
Mr.. Hope.-Thc Lord loveth cheer
full giver. hope l may repay you some
time.
Mr.. Bright.-Repay me! OF course,
when I got down with tho tvnhus mato
me q surprise party, too. Deacon Bigot
whenever you get up another sociablc like
this, send me word. [Shakes hands with
him.
Deacon.-I beg leave to inform you,
Mr.. Bright, that this not apany but a
prayer meeting.
Mr.. Bright.-Why, really, pardon my
mistake; but it's all the samos l brought
my prayer, it seems very acceptable to our
friends, and [solemnly] devoutly trust it
will be to the Lord. [Curtain falls.]