Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-16
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~ 80 II Fa{E y 81 81 II E1Ni
An expert horseman, he determined to
take to the saddle.
The Widow Adams was an orderly wo.
man she never infringed upon custom OF
propricty; she would certainly have at
tendedrhe lecture had not her next door
neighbor slipped upon, the wet door stone
and brdk an her beg, consequently the
handsome widow was assisting snufly,
clumsy DR.. Rich in his manipulations, in
stead of being present at the afternoon
service.
The old, implanted, square meeting
house, with its rafting windows and heavy
doors, basked in the sunshine upon the
hilltop, Males and females dlsIpounteo
from saddle and pillion at the norse-oiock'
near the principal entrance the long row
off sheds became filled with sleighs, the
sonarc pews. long seats and wide galleries
were thronged. The head chorister
pitched his pipe, the tithing man with his
long pole seated himself among the boys
in the gallery; the three deacons took
their place front of the pulpit; the pas
tor. in his wig, black gown and white
bands, walked majestically up the centre
aisle, and slowly assembled the stairs lead
ing to the high rostrum the sexton
stealthily tptoed forward and humbly seat
cd himself upon the lowest step.
The parson' rose, psalm book in hand,
the centre door slowly and noiselessly
opened, the sexton sprang forward and
ushered the stranger who had entered into
one of the best pews, beside very quiet,
demure looking young lady.
Notwithstanding her sombrc counte-
nance and modest demeanor, Tabitha
Dole was one of the greatest witches that
ever danced to black Sambo' s fiddle. She
and Miss Mars had attended Atkinson
Academy together and become choice
friends. Tabitha had been visiting at the
Green, knew Deacon Cluff by sight. and
had there learned of his widowed estate.
Consequently, when, after service through
which he had been unusually devout,. he
incurred for the residence of the widow
Adams, the young sprite at once fathom-
ed his Intentions.
Now there was another widow Adams,
woman of sixty, with two unmarried
daughters, Susan and Hannah, residing |
within a stones throw of the meeting
house. thither the mischieyous girl d.
rected the deacon. But as he stopped to
speak TO the parson and other dignitaries.
she ran over to apprise Hannah Adams,
whom she found alone, of his coming.
Hannah was the fiance of Tabitha's broth |
er. manager 81 the widows farm, while
Tabitha had promised to wed Edward
White. another young man employed up
on the premises. e41H. a..
Five minutes suficed. amidst Cycling
and suppressed CALCULATIONS, for Tabitha
to unfold plan. and Hannah to accede to
it. by which the deacon was to be svicti- |
mized.
Tabitha met her lover as she returned
up the bill, and informed him of the part
he was expected to'play in the drama, so
when the sutton, proud of his horse and
lofsefnanship, pranced up the long lane,
everything was in readiness for an appro-
pirate reception.
The worthy man never dreamed OF any
mistake. A large substantial farmhouse,
with long barns and an abundance of out
buildings, surrounded by orchards, fields
and meadows, every thing evinced wealth
and care. : g4.~ szsy.-s --ssf4
Hannah answered his knock eyes the
widow Adams resided there. She was
absent But would return by sunset. Would
not the gentleman walk in and wait, the
manwould take his horse. Pigs, oh yes,
there was quite number, he could look
at them;'' so Edward White threw the
bride over his arm and the deacon ac-
companisd him to the stable. More and
more pleased after due inspection of the
place, and many inquiries, all of which
his companion managed to answer salts
iactoriiy the visitor returned to the house.
where mug of flip aKaited him, and he
was placed In a large arm chair beside the
fire, in the clean bfi GIT family room.
FCoNCLUDED ro.MoRROW.