Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-12-22
VOL. XIV NEW SERIES, VOL. XVIII.

sank on his breast, and the pious, distin.
gulshed Deacon Cluh was fast asleep.
Ihe maiden E needles clicked the fire snap.
ped and sizzled, the cat purred on the hearth
the clock tick-tac1ed, tick-tacked, then rang
out eleven. The deacon never moved
The door leading from the back kitchen
was cautiously opened and four merry face.
| peeped in. Miss Susan put up her knitting.
and with motion to silence, softly opened
the dairy room door and bringing forth a tall
upright churn, she quietly placed it between
the sleepcr's knees, and then noislessly cover
ing theiire with ashes she blew out the can
die and joined the gay quartette in the mex;
room.
\ little suppressed laughter and the young
men went to their chamber, while the girl
betook themselves to their sleeping apart
ment, bedroom adjoining the kitchen.
| need not state though the bed was sought
II was not to sleep.
Towards morning Deacon Cluh awoke
rubbed his eyes and shook his benumbed
limbs. Over went the churn with 4 great
bang and rattle on the broad brick hearth.
The cat with terrible si-sing, flew up the
chimney and took refuge on the lug pole.
The widow lifted her night capped head
and muttered that the uncanny witch Goody
/ Sleeper was at her tantrums riding hither
and thither through the night on her broom
stick What was she up to now? Some
I mischief at the barn, she warranted; she
must cut some hair from one Of the critters
/ tails and burn it on the morrow. Comiorted
at the thought Of this specific against evil,
she dozed off again. Meantime the deacon
was becoming conscious Of hs whereabouts
and situation. \ good deal Of shame, vastly
! provoked, yet in spite af bis iIe somewhat
amused, he sicutly gropcl ont his hat aud
1 coat from the entry, then as quietly made
| his exit from .he front door. which had been
CONSIDERABLY left urbarred. Making his way
to the barn by the Light Of the moon, he
/ easily procured his horse; the bride hung
upon the stall, but the saddle was missing.
4 bareback ride of ten miles was no pleas
/ ant prospect, but after searching awhile the
/ deacon concluded it must be done. lie was
only too glad TO have the moon suddenly o.
/ scured. that he might escape being rceog-
mixed by any chance wayfarer.
Nothing occurred TO Interrupt his lonely
ride. Near day be arrived ut his own door,
[ q wiser if not a saddcr man.
Some weeks later upon rising one morn
Ing our hero cspied what at frsi he took
/ for a Wild animal p3rchcd in tree oppo-
site his chamber window, but which upon
examination he found ID be his missing
saddle
Al parties kept bis own counsel. The
wear waxed and waned Choir singing was
established az the "GTeen. even bass
viol had been introduced, much to the nor
ror Of the older members who were scandal
lied at such Papistical innovations. The
Young and beautiful Widow Adams had be-
come Mrs. E1ridge Clifton. and Hannah At-
ans and David Dole had been cried three
times in the meeting, when the post brought
a letter 10 Deacon Cluf. What was bis as
tonishmcnr % find IT an invitation % tae
wedding.
Taking hear, of grace he determined e
60.
On a lovely winter evening he again found
himsel riding up the long lare- The larg'
house was thronsci. Tnc bride and hei
briiemald. iabitha Doe booked as lovely
as naidens ever looked. Nlrs Susan rs ms
tress of ceremonies appeared to q great ad
vantage: both the Bridegroom and th'
groomsman. Edward White. were especially
attentive 70 the deacon. Mrs Adams. littl,
voting the reason, ch.icd him for not De-
fore renewing his visit. Miss Adams sweet-l
hoped they should see him again. Nne dil
NOT hope in VAN.
The orthodox year of mourning having
ended. after a lutte coquettish prudery th'
lady consented to ill the vacant place in thi
deacon 5 household, and before the lapse o
another year. his family received a mistress
and his children mother, who verified the
scriptural description Of perfect woman
Her children rise up and call blessed. hei
husband also. and he praiseth her; hcf OWE
works praise her 10 the gates.
In his latter wears Deacon Ciul was iou-
of relating how be found bis second wife
not falling to assure bis hearers. with q
merry winkle of the eye. that be hai nevei
regretted his vi-it TO the Widow Adams. .-
Wrrcr4 World