The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-05-18


"Why, they're at school, Of course, "
said Deacon Miles.
mo, Deacon Miles. they're not at
school. They told the teacher their
fathers wanted them at home. Aud
then"
The pastor paused aud fixed his eyes
upon the ground.
"And thsn,-" asked Deacon Ells-
worth, huskily. "What then?"
"You will not bs angry with mo--al-
though 1t il my duty to tell you any
way ?" said Mr.. Manton.
"Your boys are dovn at Blodgett . tap.
ern, THROWING DICE"
Had \ bolt of lightning fallen then
and there vt those two Deacons' feet,
their CONSERVATION could scarcely have
been greater.
Deacon Ellsworth was the first to find
his tongue.
II don't believe 1T" he exclaimed
ut il a lie, sir-a baseless fabrication got
up hy you to prove your point"
"Co,ns with me them" said the pas
tor, sadly. II saw theu, but half al
hour ago."
Slowly and with funeral step, the trio
weuded their way down to the place
where Nahum Blodgett retailed his
death. invoking wares.
At Mr.. Msnton's suggestion, they
gained the house by rear entrance, and
got r,nm adjoining that occupied by
The two boys.
II say, Bill" said Charley Miles,
"wouldn't We catch II if our two sspec.
ted fathers should catch us here? We
would never hear the last Of it,"
"You won't Oh. you young repro
bate. you WON'T" groaned Deacon Mites
in mingled anger. grief and shame.
II don't care" Bill Ellsworth an.
swereh, "tbey needn't he 30 strict. It's
William. don't do this and william,
don't do that and William, that il
Wicked and william, fear you II new.
er be u Christian all the time. II we
could only have our games ut home like
other boys. we wouldn't come here,
would we?"
The Deacohs groane.i in con cert now.
| II hate the name Of Christian" add
Ell Charley. When grow up, II attn
| a Christian, whicl, the Lord forbid! II
I have boys III let 'em play ut home, SO
they needn't 50 to the tavern like We
do. Oh. such long faces II . fellow
wants 10 have little fun ~
The two Deacons could beer no more.
Opening the door they made rush for
the frightened boys, who dropped their
dice and ran. The two Deacons would
have made pursuit. but Mr.. Manton
seized each one of them by the arm.
"Stop! brother Miles Stop! brother
Eilsworth!" lie exclaimed. You sure.
~ do not wish u public scandal. BE.
sides you are too excited now; before
you talk with them want you should
get cooler"
In silence they rstraccd their steps
The Deacons were pondering. however
aud Mr.. Manton did not care to spoak
Arriving opposite Of Deacon Ellsworth.
house, that gentleman invited them t.
eater. Aud there they found both boys
whose faces crimsoned painfully as they
beheiL the minister.
80 we've caught you, have We"
cried Deacon Ellsworth; hut his tone
was very different from what the boy,
expected, 50 different they looked up IL
surprise.
Deacon Ellsworth looked st Deacor
Miles, and Deacon Miles looked 1t Dea
con Ellsworth. Then they held whis
l.ere6 consultation.
Boys" said Deacon Miles at last
1--WE saw what you were doing ut thu
tavern, and We heard the words 20,
said We shall MT punish you, howev
er because-because-'' the words came
awful hard-"hecause there may b
blame on both sides. We wish to MAKE
\ bargain with you now. Supposint
we should let you have your checker
and all amusements, would you agrs'
never TO visit the tavern again?''
A look OF glad astonishment from fou
bright eyes. and the boys exclaimed:
I'VE wilt"
"And now" said Nr. Manton, quiet
~, "about the reading-room Wha
say you. brothers?"
"I'm for 1t, heart and soul!" ssi,
Deacon Miles, wiping away tear.
"And l." said Deacon Ellsworth.
Neither deacon ever regretted this dc
cisiop. The reading room WAS fitted II
due season, aud with the hsppiest r.
suits. And, furthermore, the sons Q
both the deacons, now that religion
sl,orn Of the pharisaical riyidity ths
mars it but too often, WAS presented I
their hearts aud Understandings. soften
I'd their hearts, and when the great n
vival came they were gathered to th
fold of Christ.
O, Christians Of our land! Make you
, homes no iess attractive to your chi
dreu, because sou follow Him who love
little children more than you ever can
Their natures need harmless recresti0n
and rather than seek to stop the inour
tain brook, your hands should try
l. ach it where 10 flow Boston Tempe,
ance fress.
The Professor in Shafts.