National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-03-29
THE DEACON'S WIFE.

bNhtph ibut Hdu uNClueu 10 move, ma
decided to move to c; had decided to com
mence moving at precisely fivo o'clocl
Monday morning, July IS; and so on tha
Identical Monday morning you might, ha,
YOU been an early riser, have seen tn
Deacon, diyested of his coat and his Sun
day dignity shaking the best room carpe
in the backyard.
There is no need OF saying what lie di,
next, or what Mrs. Flint was dong then.
TEey went through the tearing up pro
cess very much as other people do anC
not being endowed with an overabundanct
of this worlds goods, the last load OF fur
nlture, consisting ofthe Deacons wife anc
baby, the twins and the best room looking
glass, was on its way to the depot at five
o'clock p. NJ.
Blessed be nothing" SAID the tired
little woman, as tue Deacon helped her
out of the wagon.
" five had been Squire Ransom's folks,
Samuel, we wouldn't have been more than
quarter through now, would we ? NV
how my poor bones would have xched,
though, this time tomorrow night. Pm
glad the Lord knows what's best for me +"
she added, taking the baby from the De-
con, and looking around for the twins.
1t was but few hours ride 20 C. and
Just IN the coolest dusk Of the July twi-
hight, they walked up the street to their
new home, very tired and thankful thank
tul they were not esquire Ransom's folks"
but just themselves, if they did have to
work late that night putt ns up the kitch-
en- stove und unpacking dishes and bed
ding.
Tuesday was a day of many troubles.
The babies were tired and frctful daylight
revealed coating of dirt on doors and
windows, the depth Of which they knew
not before and the heat was intense
But tho Deacon, possessing untiring
snergy, and his little wife the sunniest of
tempers, they succeeded so well, that by
Thursday night, as he came into the kitch-
en- with an armful of wood, where his wife
was washing dishes, she commenced sing
ing
The Deacon thinks his work is most done,
But feel as if mine had just begun ~
Did you hear that, Samuel ?" she said,
laughing, and turning around to look at
him.
1t was prayer-meeting night, and the
Deacon went to prayer-meeting for the
INST time in c., took an active part, and, !
after meeting, waited to shake hands with |
tie minister and some Of the brethern, |
answer inquiries, and present their letters.
lie had the satisfaction of feeling on his
way home that he had U ade good impres-
SION; it pleased him it would have pleas
ed US; and he told his little wife that
mont " HE bat L.
coming a. he did, into the midst Of a
strange people, there might never be any
occasion Of remark against him while he
among them"
Pm sure | hope not, Samuel she
said, looking innoccntly up in his face, and
adding, as she nestled her little brown
head on hi, shoulder, " don't feel very
much alarmed about it,"
The next day, Friday, the Deacon went
back to the old home, having some bust
hess settlement. to make there.
Cant tell certain when | shall be
back; probably not till Monday noon
Euess there's wood enough split to last till
hen. Goodby," he said, and was gone.
The wee woman went singing back to |
her half washed dinner dishes, and with =,
1ne foot on the cradle rocker, she secured |!
The knives, while she told the story OF !
' Jack and Gill" to the twins.
When the last kettle was washed, the
kitchen stove and table brushed and scour-
I'd to the usual shade Of lack and white, I
-he baby asleep in her little nest of a
'Fadle, "bless her !" she washed the pretty
win faces till they blushed like red pep ?
'ersthen settled them in their trundie bed
or nap.
Dear little woman She did look so n
s she came out from the bedroom, and il
topped to brush a fly from under the mo- b
quito net over the baby, it would have a
made ! Your back ache to look at her. But the &
uieery heart in the weary body assert Il
y ltSeif, and she smiled with the thought o
all she would do before the Deacon a
anne back.
must slick my hair over little, So al
! any one shonld come / wouldn't spoil :
ue Deacon's reputation" she said to her k
ei, going up to the little glass that hung "
Tween the kitchen windows.
Just then gem Of a sunbeam flashed in al
= !, 'he window, and seemed to tanglc itself W
II " IN the wavy brown hair. il
oh, how pretty" she said. with blush W
10 laugh like child's. "Guess if some al
o5y been at home I'd bad kiss, then p II
~ =, on she flew TO her work. ST
now like magic TIE white curtains OF
'en' up and the cobwebs came down ec
=" the best room looking glass ehone Iii