Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-05-04


you are very kind !" and shs bowed them
out of the door.
"Ain's you glad you married me, Sam.
uel, instead of Abigail Howe" asked the
small woman, smiling upat him. No mat.
ter what the Deacon said and did.
As she was setting the tea-tsble that
night, she broke into another merry laugh
"What i the matter now, dear :" said
Deacon.
"Oh, Samuel, was thinking how you
must have looked, coming up the street
with your Sunday walk, your hands elaspsd
solemuly behind you, till you got to the
gate and saw me hanging up your shirt ia
the front yard, then how suddenly you
broke into your weekday stride Hs
ha !" and they both laughed together till
the tears came.
Supper over, dishes washed, baby asleep,
and Susie telling stories to the twins, the
Deacon and his wife started for church.
Don't be too humble, Samuel" she
whispered at the door, work in little
spice if you can, and I'll step on your
corns when it is time to stop"
The meeting opened as usual; then
Brother Dean was called upon for q report
from India.
A little wiry, black.eyed man arose and
said, Brethren, it's not much use report
ing from heather countries, when right in
our midst deacons travel on Sunday, and
deacons' wives wash aud hang out their
clothes before our very eyes as We walk to
the house of God! / call for an explaua.
tion."
Deacon Flint tried to rise, but some.
body pulled him down, and the next min.
ute the whole congregation was electrified
by the sound Of sweet, womanly voice,
saying:
"Now, o Lord, establish Thy word unto
Thy servants, so I shall have wherewith to
answer him that reproacheth me, for I
trust iu Thy word" Then turning to him
she said: my brother, you shall have au
explanation, and 10 simple, almost child.
like way, she told the story of her mistake,
and the dcacon's delay, then added: my
brother, judge nothing before the time,
until the Lord come. For We shall all
stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ,
and every one shall give an account Of
himself to God; let us not, therefore,
judge one another any more. Your sleep,
my brother, will be sweet tonight, if your
heart is at peace with God, ~ mine is, for
I am pursuaded that neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor pow
ers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor any living crea-
ture, shall be able to separate me from the
love Of God which is in Jesus Christ, our
Lord"
The next morning, the Rev. Henry
Brown and wife called very unceremoni-
ously on the new deacon. 1--WE knew it
wouldn't be washing day here" laughed
Mrs. Brown, $50 We came early; could
hardly wait to get here and talk over the
funny affair. Henry said after you sat
down last night. be felt like inviting you
into the pulpit"
why, bless me-" said the astonishsd
little body, blushiOg like girl, II felt 80
ashamed of myself after got through, !
wanted to hide my head under the dea-
cons coat! Twas the first time / ever
spoke in meeting in my life"
81 hope it won't be the last, Mrs. Flint,
if you always speak as much to the pur-
pose as you did last night" said the min
lister, coming forward.
EYES," broke 10 his wife, Henry said
he'd always advocate women speaking 10
meeting after this,
ut was capital" said Mr.. Brown re-
crossing the room to whore the deacon
stood. "Just what Job Dean had needed
for long time-a good reproof-but nc
one had the courage to give it to him.
Your little wife has done just what the
whole parish will thank her for"
Everybody I've seen since, is just en-.
raptured with you," said bis wife to the
laughing heroine, who had been rehears.
ing all the funny passages to her. You
have made yourself famous; look ont fol
plenty Of calls this week =!
"Oh, we'll, she said, tossing the baby,
the washing is done, and I shall havs
plenty Of time"
Mrs. Brown laughed and said, II thini
shall send you word next Saturday night
/ 4 - = - y