Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-05-09

Of feeling, on his way home, that he
had made good impre ssion it plea
sed him; 1t would have pleased
us ; and he told his little wife that
night, in his grave way, that he
chopped, coming as he did in the midst
of a strange people, there might lever
be any occasion of remark against him
while he remained among them"
I'm sure, l hope not, Samuel she
said, looking innocently up in his face.
and adding, as she nestled up her little
brown head ON his shoulder, "dont
feel much alarmed about it,"
The next day, Friday, the deacon
went back to the old home, having
some business settlements to make
there. ''Oan't tell certainly when
shall be back; probably not till Mon.
day noon; guess there's enough wood
split to last till then. Goodbye" he
said, and was gone.
| The wee woman went singing back to
her half washed dinner dishes, and with
one foot on the cradle.rocker. she
secured the knives, while she told the
story of "Jack and Jill" to the twins.
When the last kettle was washed, the
kitchen stove and table brushed and
secured to the usual shade of black and
white. the baby asleep in her nest of 9
cradle bless her!" she washed the
pretty twin faces till they blushed like
red peppers, and then settled them in
their trundle bed for nap.
Dear little woman! she did look SC
tired as she came out from the bedroom
and stopped to brush q fly away from
the musketo-net over the baby; il
would have made your back ache to
look at her. But the CHEEKY heart in
the weary body asserted itself, and she
smiled with the thought of all she
would do before the deacon came back.
II must slick my hair over little,
80 If any one should come I wouldn't
spoil the deacon's reputation, " she said
to herself, going up to a little glass that
hung between the kitchen Windows
in at the window, and seemed to tangle
itself all up in her wavy brown hair
"Oh how pretty" she said, with a
blush and laugh like child's.-
Guess if somebody had been at home
I'd had kiss, then - and off she flew
to her work. ....
How like magic the white curtains
went up and the cobwebs came down
how the beat room looking-g glass shone
after ita polishing, and the old daguer.
retype of "Samuel in his best days >
never shone through SO clean surface
as it did that day. So the time flew,
bringing the deacon's return nearer.
| One morning she awakened early, en-
tirely free from a wretched headache
she had the dav before, "I want it al
done; the kitchen cleaned up and my
dress changed before Samuel comes al
noon." Quietly dressing so as not to
awaken the children, she slipped out
into the kitchen, built fire, and com
menced operations. How she did work!
every step told of something done, and
at half-psst ten, despite all her hin.
drances from baby, who was cross, she
was hanging out the clothes, so snowy
white they dazzled her eyes az the sun
shone on them. Que end of the clothes.
line ran nearly out to the front fence
through the side yard, aud the whitest,
incest clothes were hung there, o1
course. "How many people are pass
ing" she thought to herself, land
how they all stare at me; guess it must
be at the clothes though, instead ol
me-" and she tenderly pinned the rear
of one of the deacon's shirts to the line.
Hark was not that the front 9ateg
Before she had time to turn round, the
deacon's energetic strides had brought
him close to her; but what was the
matter2
'.Martha- -Pendleton Flint /" h<
exclaimed, "what in the world are you
doing2 Come straight into the house!' u
/ With look that defies description
the little body straightened itself uI
as high as it would go, as she said
"Not until you speak to me different
from that, Samuel, and tell me why,
her lip quivering.
'Dont you see the people all goin9
to meeting, and you o hanging ou1
shirts : It's Sunday morning!" Sucl
laugh as rang out then on the Sun
day air, I'm surf the good people neve
heard before. Oh, Samuel, she said
holding her sides, "it's so funny
no wonder the folks stared at me AMI
my clothes. Oh, oh, oh I" and she sanl
down on the grass in q convulsion o
laughter.
The poor deacon was scandalized
"Martha !" he said, in such sadl,
anxious tone she only laughed tn
more, and it was not till she looked VI
in his face that she realized how he wa
> touched; then she stood up soberl,
and walked into the house. The doc
closed behind them, she went up t.
him with little caress, and sod
. "Samuel, kiss and forgive me, and II
go to work and ravel it out. I trul,
will" and she laughed again with tn
thought of what she had been guilty OF
till tue deacon kissed her, and laughe,
, too, in spite of himself. Then he wall
ed to the window and looked out
"You're not going to let them clothe
hang out there all day, are you Martb
Flint2"
"Of course I am you don't suppos
now I've got them out, Gods going t,
grudge me the sunshine to dry ther
with, because its Sunday, do you
Why 1t would be wicked to bring then
in before sundown. But see here, MI
Deacon, it's about time called you
, account, Think. How came you to h
travelling to-day2 Guess there's lii
|, tie Sunday-breaking on both sides, ism
there9"
The deacon turned slowly around an
. sat down. Then perching herself o
( his knee, she took his honest brown fac
: in her hands, and said, "Be O goo,
. boy, now, and tell me ali the truth n
4 member George Washington, dear" -
Tho deacon smiled, Just trace of trou
I ble in his smile, and taking the hand
that held him captive in his own. said
) Well, little woman, I had everythin
up last night, ready to start for HON
on the five o'clock train. Somehow
. must have been uncommon tired, q
= else it was the heat, leastways I drol
l ped asleep in the depot, and missed tn
train. Then I thought I'd take th
q nine o'clock train and get home at mic
+! night, 80 you wouldn't be lonesom
i Sunday, but we broke down.. and &C
!. here half an hour ago. Then to thinl
r after walking through town from til
n cars, and folks a looking at me on the
e way to church"
"To think, Samuel" she broke il
), ''after that dreadful trial, you shoul
y walk in at your front gate and find yor
o wife hanging out clothes in your fro,
: yard, and you deacon of good stan'
8 ing in the church! dear! dear! VIII,
d do you suppose the Lord will do to n
p for thinking IL Was Washinu dnv2