Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-11-07

here, Mr.. Deacon, it's about time called you
to account, I think. How came you to be
travelling to-day? Guess there's little Sun
day-breaking on both sides, isn't there"
! The deacon turned slowly around and sat
down. Then perching herself on his knee,
she took his honest brown face in her hands
and said, "Be good boy, now, and tell me
all the truth; remember George Washington,
DEAR" The deacon smiled, just trace OF
trouble in his smile, and taking the hands
that held him captive in his own, said, "Well,
little woman, I had every thing up last night,
ready to start for home on the 5 o'clock
train. Somehow, must have been uncom-
mon tired, or else it was the heat, leastways |
dropped asleep in the depot and missed the
train. Then I thought I'd take the 9 o'clock
train and get home at midnight, 50 you
wouldn't be lonesome Sunday, but we broke
down, and just got here half an hour ago.
Then to think, after walking through Town
from the cars, and folks looking at me on
their way to church,"
ITO think, Samuel" she broke in, "after
that dreaful trial, you should walk in at your
front gate and find your wife hanging out
clothes in your front yard, and you deacon
of good standing in the church! Dear, dear,
dear! What do you suppose the Lord will
do with me for thinking it was washing-day ?
81 don't think" she added, "he'l be very
hard with me, because yesterday was my
Sunday, though had such sick head ache,
it seems I didn't know much about the day.
I'll tell you what, Samuel, I'll stay at home
with the babies tonight, and you can 60 to
meeting, and then piece out your Sunday to-
morrow; won't that do?"
But the deacon couldn't get over it; his
heart was heavy; and while his wife was busy
| in the kitchen he put on his hat, and with his
hands clasped reverently behind him, (his
Sunday way,) slowly and solemnly he walked
out to the clothes-lines. Most of the clothes
were dry, for the sun was very hot, and one
by one he dropped the snowy things into the
basket, unconsciously humming to himself,
"Have pity, Lord o Lord, forgive"
Mrs. Flint was washing dishes, and nearly
dropped her best glass dish, when the deacon
walked in with the clean clothes. 81 could
not stand il" he said, in explanation.
"Guess I must sprinkle and iron them to-
day, Samuel-would you ?" she said archly.
The deacon merely calculated a disapprov-
ing my dear!" and went into the other room
to read his Sunday newspaper.
By-and-by the people began to come from
church. What a sudden, surprised interest
they seemed to have taken in his household
premises; they gazed and stared and looked
back, and gazed again, but the deacon was an
humble man-it did not hatter him; he read
his paper and sighed, opened his Bible to read
and sighed again, and then fell to thinking.
A little while after two arms stole softly
around his neck, and dear voice said, "For-
get all about it, dear, and I'll "a knock at
the door interrupted, and she went to open it.
She had brushed her brown, wavy hair, and
dressed in cool white muslin dress, with far
between dottings of pink, and looked not bit
like the guilty little washerwoman she was.
She opened the door, and Deacon Frost and
Elder Cummins introduced themselves and
walked in with stately bows. Deacon Flint
rose from his open Bible, and more introduc-
tions followed, whereupon Elder Cummins
cleared his throat, and, in apiping voice, said:
"You must excuse, Deacon Flint, our COM
ing on such a day, but we thought it best that
some explanations should be made before our
people again gathered for evening service"
"Oh! I know what you mean, l guess, FL
der Cummins, you want to know why l kept
Yesterday for Sunday instead of to-day, don't
you? Well, the fact was, the deacon was
away, and I made miscount of the days
somehow, and I was 80 busy settling, and so
yesterday was my Sunday, though l was in
bed all day with sick-headache, and 80 did
not find out my mistake at all. Then wasn't
it funny? got up at five this morning, and
went to washing, thinking it was Monday,
and I'd get all through before the deacon
came home; declare I've laughed so about
it that I fairly ache,' and the little feminine
offender laughed again, and so contaglously
that the three laughed with her.
"I've been so good, though, elder, the rest
of the day, I'm sure the Lord has forgiven me
for it," and she smiled so sweetly, they both
we're completely won. When they arose to
go Deacon Frost said to Deacon Flint, ut is
our missionary meeting tonight, brother, and
little explanation from yon there will set
the matter right, guess"
Up spoke the feminine again, "Oh! yes,
Deacon Frost, Samuel was intending to ex-
plain, tonight. I only wish could be there,
but can't leave the babies"
"If you have no objections, Mrs. Flint"
IcpllSO VIC OcdCOu, NY OoSi0 Will SohhO ohN
stay with them, and let you 60, she would be
so delighted" ,..
"Oh thank you-that would be so nice
you are very kind p and she bowed them out
Of the door. ... . ...
"Ain't you glad you married me, Samuel,
instead of Abigail Howe?" said the small
woman, smiling up to him. No matter what
the deacon said and did.
AS she was setting the tea-table that night,
she broke into another merry laugh. ..
whats the matter now, dear ?" said the
deacon. .,
20, Samuel, I was thinking how you must
have looked, coming up the street with your
Sunday walk. your hands clasped solemnly
behind you, till you got to the gate and saw
me hanging up your shirt in the front yard,
then how suddenly you broke into your week
day stride. Ha ! ha !" and they laughed to-
gether till the tears came. ....
Supper over, dishes washed, baby asleep,
Susie telling stories, the deacon and his wife
started for church. "Don't be too humble,
Samuel" she whispered at the door, work in
little spice if you can, and I'll tread on your
corns when it is time to stop"
The meeting was opened as usual; then
Brother Dean was called upon for report
from India
"a little wiry, black-eyed man rose and
said: "Brethern, it's not much use reporting
from heathen countries, when right in our
midst deacons travel on Sunday, and deacons'