The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-08-08

- WI u Slll6uulu Adrin III bn0 upper
parish. It's & magnificent place. Don't
you wish to be introduced Very likely
you could cut out Clifton"
"And what would Miss Meers dc. if
he did ?" queried distinguished-look
ing young man who was leaning against
the teachers desk. "A
Marry Deacon Clutf, girls, you've a
chance! / saw him peeking round the
meeting house Sunday. I, His wife is
cold in the ground by this time, and he
is still young and good-loolSing; has
lots of the ready; is big man-intends
to be bigger; has only six responsibili-'
ties. Girls there's a chance! Hurrah
L vote for the deacon--the boys may
have the widow. Bring on your books,
let's proceed to business" e5I n
Before the preceding had been half
spoken, Deacon Cluff had retreated
across the entry. AT its close, forgetting
his mission, he fairly bolted and ran,
never stopping till past the pond and
green, when, wiping the perspiration
from his brow, he began to gather up
his ideas. Yes, the little mink was
right-he was still young and good
looking, rich and a man of note. Who
was the widow Adams? He must learn
To be sure, it was rather quick after his
wifes death but then some of those
young fellows would obtain her, and
doubtless she would prefer an older,
more staid man, like himself He need
ed some pigs. OF course, on such a farm
there would be an abundance of pork
ers; at least pigs could be an excuse for
a call. He would ride up to the upper
parish the next Thursday lecture, and
ascertain where the lady resided, and
have O look at her, if nothing more.
The Thursday afternoon lecture was
great institution with our forefathers.
A half holiday to the schools, it was as
regularly attended as the Sabbath SER
vices, and those, if health permitted,
were seldom omitted. @
The January thaw had come-it was
poor sleighing; so, as Deacon Cluff was
an expert horseman, he determined to
take to the saddle.
The widow Adams was an orderly
woman-she never inflinged upon Gus
tom or propriety she would certainly
have attended the lecture had not her
next-door neighbor slipped on the wet
door-stone and broken her leg; conse-
quently the handsome widow was assist
ing snuffy, clumsy DIR. Rich in his
manipulaticns, instead of being present
at the afternoon service.
The old, unpainted, square meeting
house, with its rafting windows and
heavy doors, basked in the sunshine
upon the hilltop. Males and females
dismounted from saddle and pillion, at
the horse block, near the principal en-
trance; the long row of sheds became
filled with sleighs; the square 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 in front of the pulpit the pastor,
in his wig, black gown aid white bands,
walked majestically up the center aisle,
and slowly assembled the stairs leading to
the high rostrum the sexton stealthily
tiptoed forward and humbly seated him
self upon the lowest step. -H
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
y
Notwithstanding her somber counte-
nance and modest demeanor, Tabitha
Dole was one of the greatest witches
that ever danced to black Sambo's fid-
die. She and Miss Mears had attended
Atkinson Academy together and be-
came choice friends. Tabitha had been
visiting at the Green, knew Deacon
Cluff by sight, and there learned of his
widowed estate. Consequently, when,
after service, through which he had
been unusually devout, he inquired for
the residence of the Widow Adams, the
young spirits at once fathomed his in
tentions.
Now there was another widow Adams,
a woman of sixty, with two unmarried
daughters-Susan and Hannah-resid-
ing within stones throw of the meet
ing-house thither the mischievous girl
directed the deacon. But as he stopped
to speak to the parson and other digni-
taries, she ran over to apprise Hannah
Adams, whom she found alone, of his
coming. Hannah was the fance of Tab
itha's brother, manager of the widows
farm, while Tabitha had promised to
wed Edward White, another young man
employed upon the premises.
Five minutes suficed, amid giggling
and suppressed ejaculations, for Tabitha
to unfold a plan, and Hannah to accede
to it, by which the deacon was to be vic
timized.
Tabitha met her lover as she returned
up the hill, and informed him of the
part he was to play in the drama; so
when the suitor. proud of his horse and
horsemanship, pranced up the long lane,
everything was in readiness for an ap-
propriate 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 meadews-every
thing evinced wealth and care.
Hannah answered his knock. "Yes,
the Widow Adams resided here. She
was absent, but would return by sunset.
Would not the gentleman walk in and
wait, the, man would 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 accompanied him to the sta
BILE. More and more pleased after due
inspection of the place and many in
quiries, all of which his companion man
aged to answer satisfactorily, the visitor
returned to the house, where mug of
flip awaited him, and he was placed in
large arm chair beside the fire in the
clean, bright family room.