Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-07-01

ago. lhen 10 thlnk, alter walking through
town. hom the cars, and folks looking
at me on their way to church,
ITO think, Samuel" she broke in.
latter that dreadful trial. you should
walk into your front gate and tiud your
wife hanging out clothes in your front
yard, and you Deacon of good standing
/ in the church dear! dear! what do you
suppose the Lord will do TO me for think
ing that it was wash day. | don't think. y
she added, "hc'll be very hard to me, be
cause yesterday was my Sunday, though
had such sick headache, it seems !
didn't know much about the day. I'll
tell you what Samuel, I'll stay at home
with the babies 10 night, and you can go
To meeting, aud then piece out your sun
day tomorrow. won't that do ?"
But the Deacon couldn't get over il {;
his heart was heavy; and while his wife
was busy in the kitchen he put on his hat
aud with his hands rlasped reverenily
behind him. Chs Sunday WALK slowly
and solemnly he walked out to the clothes
line.
Most OF the clothes were dry. for the
sun was very hot, and one by one he
dropped the snowy things into The basket.
unconsciously humming TO himself.
"Iave pity Lord. o Lord. forgive"
Mrs. Flint WAS washing dishes. and
nearly dropped her best glass dish, when
The Deacon walked in with the clean
clothes. Il couldn't stand il Martha"
he said in explanation.
Guess | must sprinkle and iron them
to, day, Samuel. would you'H she said
archly.
The Deacon merely calculated q oisap.
proving My dear" and went into the
other room to read his Sunday paper.
By and by the paople began to come
from church What sudden. surprising
interest tbey seemed to have taken in his
household premises; they gszed, and
started. and looked back. and gazed
again. But the Deacon was humble
man il didn't Aa,ter him; he read his
paper and sighed. opened his Bible to
read, and sighed again, and then fell TO
thinking.
A little while after two arms stole soft
ly around his neck, and a dear voice said
Forget all about it. dear, and I'll--"a
knock at the door interrupted, and she
went to open it.
She had brushed her brown wavy hair.
and dressed in cool white muslin dress
with lar between dottings OF pink, and
looked not bit like the guilty little
washerwomau she was. She opened the
door. and Deacon Frost aud Elder Cum
mings introduced themselves and walked
in with stately bows. Deacon Flint rose
from his open Bible, and more introduo-
,ions lollpw.wheroupon Elder Cummings
cleared hi. throat, and in piping voice,
said:
You must excuse, Deacon Flint, our
coming on such day. but we thought it
best that some explanations should be
made before our people again gather for
evening services"
"Oh. know what YOU mean, guess,
Elder Cummings, you want to know why
kept Yesterday Ion Sunday instead OF TO
day, don't you? Well the fact was the
Deacon was away and | made niiscount
in the days somehow. | was SO busy set.
Ting, aud yesterday was my sunday,
though | was in bed all day with a sick
headache, aud didn't find out my mistake
at all Then. wasn't it iunny' lgot up
at five this morning aud went to wash
ing. thinking it was Monday, and I'd got
all through before the Deacon came
home. | declare. I've laughed 30 about it
| fairly ache" and the little feminine
offender laughed again. and SO con.
tagiously that the three laughed with her.
1--WE been so good the rest Of The day,
TN sure the Lord has lorgivea me for it,"
and she smiled so sweetly that both were
completely won. When they rose to 60,
Deacon Frost said to Deacon Flint. ut
is our missionary meeting tonight,
brother. and little explanation from you
there will set the matter right, l guesa."
Up spoke the iemiRiae voice again.
"Qh, yes, Deacon Frost, Samuel WAS in.
tending to explsin tonight. only wish
l could be there but / can't leave the
babies
III you have no objections. Mrs. Flint"
replied the Deacon, "mI Susie will come
and stay with them. and let you go. she
would be delighted"
"Oh. thank you! that would be so nice.
you are very kind" !" and she bowed them
out of tho door
'.Aint you glad you married me. SAM
uel, instead of Abigail Hover" said the
little woman smiling up at him. No
matter what the Deacon said or did.
AS she was setting the tea'table that
night, she broke out into another Merry
laugh.
What's the matter now, dears" said
the Deacon,
go. Samuel. was thinking how you
must have looked, coming up the street
with your Sunday walk. your hands sol
emnly clasped behind you. till you got to
the gate and saw ME hanging NJ your
shirt in the lront yard, how suddenly you
broke into your weekday stridc!" Ha.