The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-08-08
~ qa RIDGWAY, PA THURSDAY; AUGUST 8, 1872
need NOT 70 sav that though the bed

1 need not to say that though the bed
was sought it was not to sleep. -
Toward morning Deacon Cluff fiawoke,
rubbed his eyes, and shook his benumb-
ed limbs. Over went the churn with a
great bang and rattle on the broad brick
hearth. The cat, with terrible sissing,
flew up the chimney and took refuge on
the jug pole. 81
The widow lifted her night Capped
head, and. muttered that lthe rncanny
witch Goody Sleeper was at her tam
trums, riding hither and thither throu gh
the night on her broom stick. What
was she up to now? Some mischief at
the barn, she warranted she must cut
some hair from one Of the critters tails
and burn it on the morrow. Comforted
at the thought of this specific against
evil, she dosed off again. Meantime
the deacon was becoming conscious of
his whereabouts and situation. A good
deal ashamed, vastly provoked, yet in
spite of his ire somewhat amused, he si-
lently groped out his hat and coat from
the entry, then as quietly made his exit
from the front door, which had been
considerably left unbarred. Making
his way to the barn, by the light of the
moon, he easily procured his horse, the
bride hung upon the stall, but the sad
die was missing. A bareback ride of
ten miles was no pleasant prospect, but
after searching awhile the deacon con-
cluded it must be done. He was only
too glad to have the moon suddenly OBJ
scured that he might escape being
recognized by any chance wayfarer. n
Nothing occurred to interrupt his
lonely ride. Near dawn he arrived at
his own door, wiser if not sadder
man. tr
Some weeks later, upon rising one
morning, our hero espied what at first
he took for wild animal perched in q
tree opposite his chamber window, but
which upon examination, he found to
be his missing saddle. -
All parties kept their own counsel.
The year waxed and waned. Choir
singing was established at the Green" ="
even bass viol had been introduced,
much to the horror of the old members,
who were scandalized at such Papistical
innovations. The young and beautiful
Widow Adams had become Mrs. Ell
bridge Clinton, and Hannah Adams and
David Dole had been cried three times
in the meeting, when the post brought
letter to Deacon Cluff. What was his
astonishment to find it an invitation to
the wedding.
Taking heart of grace he determined
to go. ....-.
On lovely winter evening he again
found himself riding up the long lane.
The large house was thronged. The
bride and her bride-maid, Tabitha Dole,
looked as lovely as ever maidens looked.
Miss Susan as mistress of ceremonies ap-
peared TO great advantage; both the
bridegroom and the groomsman, Ed
ward White, were especially attentive
to the deacon. Mrs. Adams, little wot-
ting the reason, chided him for not be-
fore renewing his visit. Miss Adams
sweetly hoped they should see him
again. She did not hope in vain.
The orthodox year of mourning hav-
ing ended, after little coquettish pru-
dery the lady consented to fill the va
cant place in the deacon's HOUSEHOLD, and
before the lapse of another year his
family received mistress and his child
ren mother who verified the Scriptural
description of a perfect woman. "Her
children rise up and call her blessed, her
husband also, and he praiseth her; her
own works praise her in the gates"
In his later years Deacon Cluff was
fond of relating how he found his second
wife, not failing to assure his hearers,
with merry twinkle of the eye, that he
had never regretted his visit to the
Widow Adams Western World.