The Portland daily press., 1872-04-06

oiAN "a SOp oA ohlOuSh uClOIc UIl6 DcdCOn
came home; declare, I've laughed SO about
it fairly ache" and the little feminine of
fender laughed again and so CONTINUOUSLY that
the three laughed with her.
of the day, Pm sure the Lord has forgiven
me for it" and she smiled SO sweetly, they
| both were completely won. When they rose
to go, Deacon Frost said to Deacon Flint,
''It is our missionary meeting tonight, BROTH
er, and a little explanation from you there
will set the matter right, l guess"
Up spoke the feminine again. sob, yes,
Deacon Frost, Samuel was intending to ex-
plain tonight. Ionly wish / could be there
but l can't leave the babies"
If you have no objections, Mrs. Flint"
replied the Deacon, "my Susie will come and
stay with them, and let you CO. she would be
so delighted
''Oh, thank you, that would be SO nice, you
are very kindp' and she bowed them out of
the door. r.re
"Ain't you glad you married me, Samuel,
instead of Abigail Howe?" said the small
woman smiling up at him. No matter what
the Deacon said and did.
As she was setting the tea-table that night,
she broke out into another merry laugh.
Whats the matter now, dear?' said the
Deacon.
go, Samuel, 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 ward.
then how you suddenly broke into your week
day stride! Ha! ha!,s and they both laughed
together till the tears came
supper over, dishes washed, baby asleep,
Susie telling stories to the twins, the Deacon
and his wife started for church. ssDon't be
too humble, Samuel she whispered at the
door, 'work in a little spice, if you can, and
Iii tread on your corns when it's time to
stop.''
The meeting was opened as usual; then
Brother Dean was called upon for a report
from India.
A little wiry, black eyed man rose and said,
Brethren, it's not much use reporting from
heathen countries, when right in our midst
deacons travel on Sunday, and deacon's
wives wash and hang out clothes before our
very eyes as we walk to the house of God!
L call for an explanation"
Deacon Flint tried to rise, but somebody
pulled him down, and the next minute the
whole congregation was electrified by the
sound OF sweet, womanly voice, saving
''Now, 0 Lord, stablish thy word uuto thy
servant, so shall have wherewith to answer
him that reproacheth me, for trust in thy
word" Then turning to him, she said, ''my
brother, you shall have an explanation. and
in simple, almost childlike way, she told the
story OF her mistake, and the Deacon's DELAY,
then added, 'my brother, Judge nothing he
fore the time until the Lord come. For we
shall all stand before the Judgment seat of
Christ, and every one shall give an account
OF himself to God; let us not therefore nudge
one another any morep Your sleep, nv
brother, will be sweet tonight if your heart
IS at peace with God, as mine is, for Il am
persuaded that neither life nor death nor an
gels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
arf
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate me from the love of God which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.'''
The next morning the Rev. Henry Brown
and his wife called very unceremoni-
ously on the new Deacon eve knew it
wouldn't be washing day here" laughed Mrs
Brown, 80 we came here early. l could
hardly wait to get here and talk over the fun
ny affair. Henry said after you sat down last
hignG ne 1eit like inviting you into the pulpit"
why, bless me?' said the astonished little
oouy, pushing like girl. 81 felt so ashamed
Ut myself after got under the deacon's coat!
s W@1 Cie nrst time ever spoke in nv life.
nope IL won't be the last, Mrs. Flint If
YOU always speak as much to the purpose as
you eiu las5 nlghtP' said the minister. com.
eyes, broke in his wife, .sHenrv s.id ,,o,,
always advocate women,s snao1;S oalu ne u
ing after this.' ''Ni's Ill meet
st was capital" said Mr.. Brown. recroSs-
ing the room to where the Deacon stood
"That's what Job Dean has needed for lonc
time, good reproof, but no one has had the
courage to give it to him. Your little wife
has done just what the whole parish will
thank her for"
Everybody I've seen since is just enran-
tured with you," said his wife to the laughing
heroine, who had been rehearsing all the fun
ny passages to her. You have made yourself
famous famous; look out for plenty of calls this
"Oh, well, she said, tossing the baby, ''the
time" F'
Mrs. Brown laughed, and said. Il think 1
VIII send you word next SATURDAY. night, that
the next day will be Sunday. and You had
better not wash till Monday.''
Mrs. Flint said the minister. 81 think
you are fully competent to manage YOUR own
AFFAIRS, without any of my wife's interior
ence, and so, laughing merrily, they start
Samuel" said his bonnie wife az she
reached the door, don't you think I've in
PRODUCED you pretty well? Will you ever call
me Martha-Pendleton- again when
Pm hanging up your shirt in the front
yard?''
Somebody was chased out in the kitchen
baby. "''''0'-'' ''''