The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1871-08-31

reached mans and WOman's estate,
married members of some neighbor.
ing village, and were then presented
by Father Jenkins with a slice of The
Man With -The-Seven-Eyes late fam.
lily seat. Years rolled on and the
second generation Of Jenkinses was
followed by third, and the third by
fourth; but as heiresses were more
numerous than heirs, the old name
gradually died out; and at the time
write, when Jenkinstow was q thriv-
ing village, with q Westinghouse, a
blacksmith's shop, store and o town
pump, the time-honored appellation
was born but by one person, the relict
of the late jeremiah Jenkins.
The widow of Jenkins was, in her
own estimation at least, person OF
first consideration in the town. She
lived in comfortable house at the
village, and her well titled acres
spread far around her, till they joined
those Of Deacon Baggs. The widow
was certainly pretty, but her fatness
and fairness might be questioned; in
fact, il the former is, as some people
maintain, an invariable result ofsWeeL-
ness of temper, fear the widow must
even be guiItless of it, for, If frepOrt say
true, her voice might be heard at sill
yer dawn and golden twilight admin
istering, in not very dulcet tones, ad.
monitiOn to the unlucky men, and
still more miserable maids of her
household. Still, the widow was a
pious woman. She sat regularly in
her pew at meeting, and during pray
er looked devoutedly through her
fingers at Deacon Baggs, who sat OPP
pOsite, to see that he didn't disgrace
his office by looking at those frouzle-
headed Smythe girls, who sang in
the choir. o yes! she did her duty in
all things; no one could accuse Melissa
Jenkins Of slackness.
A short time before our story opens
mania for fancy stock broke out in
Jenkinstown, and the respective
merits and dement's Of Durhams,
Guernseys, Jerseys and Alderneys
was the only subject discussed.
Strange to say, this widow took no
interest in the subject, but her neigh
bor Baggs went into it heart and soul,
and diminutive specimens OF the diff
ferent breeds were to be seen scattered
over his fields.
The widow smiled her acquiline
nose, but said nothing; and imagine
the surprise of Baggs, when one day
he discovered q beautiful Alderney
calf grazing in the very field that
joined his. He called his factotum
Ieb, pointed out the phenomenon to
him, and desired him to find out what
it meant. Zeb obeyed, and reported
that il belonged to the widow, and
was imported by her from the little
island direct.
From that hour the deacon was a
changed man; cloud seemed to settle
down around him, and he haunted
the pasture like ghost, to feast his
eyes on the bovine lOveliness that
cropped the fragrant clover, all un-
conscious of the heart which sighed
for her. He stood one morning gaz-
ing pensively at her, when his medi-
tatiOns were broken by Ieb.
"Fine critter that" said he.
The deacon only sighed.
"Wouldn't mind ownin' her, would
you deacon"
"Id give every beast Oh my farm
for that ere beauty" replied the dea-
con, solemnly.
"You don't say so. wouldn't go
that far; but she's neat critter. Why
don't YOU get her, deacon"
sect her, man alive! How"
"Buy her of the widow"
"You deuced fool! Do you suppose
the widow'd sell herr" .....'
"Well, no; not to anybody; but then
she might to you. The widow sets q
kinder store by you; you are nsighbors
like you see, and she might like the
chance to oblige you. I'd ask her,
any way; that won't break no bones"
The deacon looked as If he were not
quite sure of the fact, but he said:
"By hockey, Zeb, I've a mind to
try it! I'll go right Oft! Strike while
the IRONS hot.n He began to mount
the fence.
"Hold on!' cried Ieb. "Looks
sometimes goes long ways with
wimmin folks. Suppose you go to the
house first and put on your mectin'-
coat, and peck UP little.n
"Certainly," said the deacon. "a
good idea, Ieb; pll do it," auu IA"
pair went to the house.
The widow was rolling out pie-crust
and scolding the maid, who was peel
ing apples.
"Hurry up, Jemimy; do you think
time stops for you? H ere are all the
pies ready, and you still lazin' over
them apples. Perhaps, II you lay the
knife Beside them, they will peel
themselves. You had better try it,
and then you won't sile your fingers.
In my time gals knowed what work
meant, and wasn't above their sta
tions, with their frizzles, and ribbons,
and rings. Hurrylup, 1 say! Do you
think you are Joshua, and the SUMS
going to stand still for you?"
The widow turned her Indignant
ewes toward the maid, and a. she did
SO, they fell OH the approaching form,
OF the deacon. :.
GBless my stars! if there doesn't
come Deacon Baggs! His best clothes
on too! What can he out? Hope no
Que is dead. Must he very sudden il
there is, for / know no one has been
sick about. No; he doesn't look like
funeral. What can it be! Best
clothes this time of the. day! 1t must
be something serious! Just suppose
he should lie coming to. Run,
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