The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-01

the uay before. Now Tor the washing,
she said to herself al want to have il
all done, the kitchen cleaned up and my
dress changed before Samuel comes Al
nOon.n
Quietly dressing so as not to waken the
children she slipped out into the kitchen
built a FIRE, and commenced operations
How she did work every step told Of some
thing done, and ut half past ten, spite ol
all her hlndrances from baby, who was
cross, she was hanging out the clothes so
snowy white they dazzled her eyes as tie
sun shons OH them. One end Of the clothes
Inc ran nearly out to the front fence
through the side yard, and the whitest,
incest clothes were hung there, OF course.
How many people arc passing" she
thought to herself, "and how they all
stare at me; guess it must be the clothes
though, instead Of me-" and she tenderly
pinned tue rear Of one Of the Deacons
shirts to tho line. "lGarkl was that the
front gate Z" Before she had time to turn
around, the Deacon's energetic strides had
brought him close to her; but what was
the matter!
Observation-Disclosures" be e1.
claimed, "what in the world are you doins7
Come strtight into the hou'ep'
With a look that deAes description,
the little body Strengthened itself up as
high as 1t would go, as she said, "Not till
you speak to me different from that and
tell me why" Der lip quiyering.
"DOn't you see the people all goin' to
meeting, and you hangin' out shirts 7
It's Sunday morningm
Such laugh as rang out then on the
Sunday air Pm sure the good people Of O.,
never heard before. "0h, Samuel" she
said, holding her sides, "it's so funny no
wonder the folks stared at me and my
clothes "0h, ho, hop and she sank
down on the grass in aconvulsion ot laugh
ter.
The poor Deacon was scandalizcd.
" Marthal' he said in such sadly anx.
ious tone she only laughed the more, and
it was not till she looked up in his lace
that she realized how he was touched ;
then she stood up soberly and walked in
to the house with him.
The door closed behind them. She went
UP to him with little caress, and said,
"Samuel, kiss and forgive me, and III
go to work and raycl tall out. truly
will" and she laughed again with tho
thought of what she had been guilty of,
till the Deacon kissed her and laughed
too, in spite Of himself. Then he walked
to the window mud looked out.
"You're not going to let them clothes
hang ont there all day, are you, Martha
Flintm
"0fcourse | am; you don't suppose,
now I've got them out, Gods going to
grudgc me the sunshine to dry them with,
because IT'S Sunday, do you7 Why, ii
would be wicked to bring them in before
sundowu. But see here, Mr.. Deacon, its
about time l called you to account, |
think. How came you to be 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 mis- honest brown face in
her hands, aud said. "Be a good COY,
now, and tell me all the truth; remember
George Washington, dear"
The Deacon smiled, just n trace Of
trouble in his smile, and taking the hands
that held him captive, in his own, said (;
"Well, little woman, | had everything
finished up last night, ready TO start for
home on the five o'clock traip. Somehow
must have been uncommon tired, or else
il was the heat, leastways, dropped TO
sleep in the depot and missed the train
Then | thought I'd take tue nine O'Clock
tain and get home at midnight, SOS you
wouldn't BE- so lonesome Sunday, but we
broke down. and just got here halt hour
ago. Then to think, alter walking through
town, from the cars, and folks lookin'
at me on their way to church 2"
"To think, Samuel, ," she broke in, ''aftcr
that dreadful trial, you should walk into
your front gate and find your wife hang.
Ing out clothes in your front yard, and
you deacon of good standing in the
church dear! What do you suppose the
Lord will do to me Tor thinking this was
washday I l don't think" she added,
"he'll be very hard on me, because yes.
teriay was my Sunday, though bad such
a sick headache it seems didn't know
much about the day. III tell you what,
Samuel, I'll stay at home with the babies
to night and you can 60 to meeting, and
then piece out your Sunday to-morrowi
won't that do ~ .
But the deacon couldn't get over it.
his heart was heavy; and while bis wife
was busy in the kitchen he put on bis hat,
and with biz hands clasped rcyerently be.
hind him (llls Sunday Walk slowly and
solemnly he walked out to the clothes
line.
Most Of the clothes were dry, for the
sun was very hot, anu one by one he drop.
ped the snowy things into the basket, IN
consciously humming TO b msclf, Have
pity, Lord; O Lord, forgive"
Mrs. Flint was washing dishes, and near
ly dropped her best glass dish, when the
Deacon walked in with the clean clothes.
al couldn't stand 1t, Marthu," be said,
in explanation.
"GucSs must sprinkle and iron them
to-day, Samuel, would you 1" sbe SAID
archly'
The Deacon merely CALCULATED a disap
proving, "AIy dcarl' aud went into the
other room to read his Sunday paper.
By and by the people began to come
from church. What a sudden surprising
interest they seemed to have taken in his
household premises; they gaZed and stared,
4 H.ai.uI laals nuN