Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-06-12


the deacon's shirts to the line. IIark was
that the front gate Before she had time to .
turn around the deacon's energetic strides
had brought him close to her but what was
the matter2
Martha - Pendleton - Flint ~ he ex.
claimed, "what in the world are you doing
Come straight into the house !"
With look that de6es description, the
little body Strengthened itself up as high as 1t
would go, as she said, Not until you speak
TO me different from that, Samuel, and tell
me Why" her lip quivering.
Don't you see the people all going to
meeting and you a hanging out shirts ? lt's
Sunday morning !' Such laugh as rang
out then on the Sunday air, I'm sure the good
people never heard before " Oh, Samuel"
she said, holding her sides, its so funny :
no wonder the folks stared at me and my
clothes Oh, oh, oh :" aud she sank down on
the grass in a convulsion Of laughter.
The poor deacon was scandalizcd, Mar
tha l' he said, in such sadly anxious tone
she only laughed the more, and it was not till /
she looked up in his face that she realized |
how he was touched then she stood up So
bery aud walked into the house The door |
closed behind them, she went up to him with
little caress. and said, "Slmuc, kiss aud for.
give me- and I'll 20 to work and rlvel it out
truly will" and she laughed again with tee
thought Of what she had been guilty Of, till
the deacon kissed her, and laughed too, in
spite Of himself Then be walked to the
window aud looked out
You're not going to let them clothes hang
out there all day, are you, Martha Fint2"
OF course [ am you don't suppose now
I've got them out, Gods going to grudge me
the sunshine to dry them with, because it,
Sunday, do you ? Why, it would be wicked
to bring them in before sundown. But see
here, Mr.. Deacon, it's about time | called
you to account, | think How came you to
he travelling to-day Guess there's little
Sunday 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 a 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 10 his own, said, Well,
little woman, had everything up last night,
ready to start for home on the five O'Clock
train. Somehow must have been uncommon
tired, or else the heat, leastways | dropped
asleep 10 the depot, and missed the train
Then thought Id take the nine O'Clock train
aud get home at midnight. so 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
church !"
To think, Samuel she broke 10, " after
that dreadful trial, you should walk in at
your front gate and find your wife hanging
out clothes in your front yard and you a dea-
con of good standing in the church dear I!
dear what do you suppose the Lord will do
TO me for thinking it was washing day ? |
don't think" she added, " he'll be very hard
with me, because yesterday was my Sunday,
though had such a sick headache, it seems
[ 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 tomorrow ;
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, anC
with his hands clasped reyerently behind him
ibis Sunday way, slowly and soemnly h'
walked out to the clothes.ines. Most of th,
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 Oh Lord, forgive"
Mrs Flint was washing dishes, and nearly
dropped her best glass dish, when the deacon
walked in with the clean clothes could
not stand it, Martha" he said in explanation
Guess must sprinkle and iron them, to-
day. Samuel, would you p she said archly.
The deacon merely calculated disapprov-
ing " My dear :" aud went into the other
room to read his Sunday paper.
BY and by the people began to come from
church. What 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
humble man, it did not fatter him he read
his paper aud sighed, opened bis Bible to
read, aud sighed again and then fell to think
ing. A little while after two arms stole softly
around his neck, and dear voice said, " For
get all about it, DEAR and M" u 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 washer-woman she
was. She opened the door, and Deacon Frost
and Elder Cunmins introduced themselve.
and walked in with stately bows. Deacon
Flint rose from his open Bible, and more in
Productions followed whereupon Elder Cam
mus cleared his throat, aud in piping voice,
said -
" You must excuse, Deacon Flint, our
coming on such day, but we thought it best
that some explanations should be made before
our people again gather for evening service -
Oh. know what you mean, | guess,
Elder Cummins, you want to know why
kept yesterday for Sunday, instead Of to-day.
don't you +? Well, the fact was, the deacon
was away and made discount of the days
somehow, aud | was so busy settling, and so
yesterday was my Sunday, though | was iu
bed all day with a sick headache aud so didn't
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 fairly ache" and the little feminine
offender laughed again, and so contagiousy,
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 were completely won. When they rose
to go Deacon Frost said to Deacon Flint, 1t
is our missionary meeting, tonight, brother,
aud little explanation from you there will
sat tho ,nattar rioht / suasc ~