The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-04-28
THE DEACON'S DAUGHTER.

children. wouldn't nave DeleVeu, Wnen
Sylvy was q child, that she would have
grown up to such a thorn in your side, sis
ter Sarah. But you'll have to bear it as
the Lords will, and trust that she'll be
brought some time to see the errors of her
way"
Aunt Doreas rocked vigorously, and
made her knitting click with will,
as she always did when she talked of Syl's
shortcomings. Syl, who was in the kitch-
en- making preparations for dinner, heard
every word through the half-open door
as it was very likely Aunt Dorcas meant
she should and Syl sighed heavily, for
Aunt Dorcas had a power in the family,
and now that she had taken sides against
her, Syl foresaw greater trials in the future
than she had encountered.
Syl's trouble was that Oldest and most
common among maidens-the course Of
her true love would not be persuaded to
run smooth. It's current was ruffied in the
most common way, too by her fathers
stern displeasure and her mothers cease
less fretting and coaxing. .,..,....r
Years, before, when they were both little
more than children, she and win Everett
had fallen in love with each other, and the
love had grown and strengthened as they
grew to manhood and womanhood. But
alas Will was poor, being only clerk in
the one ry-goods store Plimptonville boast
ed. He had his mother and little sister to
support, too, and, as Plimptonyille declar-
ed, had enough on his hands without think
ing of marrying.
Deacon Rankin did not object to i'm be-
cause he was poor. Oh, no T! the deacon
was not so worldly as that-according to
his own statement. In other respects Will
did not come up to his idea of what his
son-in-law should be. He belonged to a
secret society, and the deacon abominated
societies. Silas Daggett, the proprietor of
the store agreed with him perfectly ;
he even had serious doubts as to the pro-
priety of keeping young man who be-
longed to a secret society in his store, and
used to go to the deacon's house to ask his
advice and talk the matter over two or
three evenings in week when he first
came to Plimptonville and opened the
store. Will smoked, too. Silas Daggett
did not smoke. He shook his head sadly
over that shortcoming of Wills and told
the deacon of great deal of good advice
and warning thrown away upon the head
strong young man. ..1
kOo oil ha in
ing himself by extravaganza. Mr.. Silas
Daggett was of opinion that fully half his
salary was spent in that way. Countless
other accusations, of like nature, were
brought against poor viii, and from twice
week silas Daggett's visits increased to
every night, and finally it became evident
that his visits were intended to Syl, much
to the delight of Deacon Rankin. pH.
But Syl, ungrateful, unreasonable girl,
frowned upon the suit of Mr.. Daggett she
even went so FAR as TO leave the room when
he called and she had been caught walking
with Will Everett after her father had for
hidden her to speak to the misguided
young man. ug+a lspl4 lA
Now matters were at their very worst (;
Silas Daggett had proposed, and her father
declared that she should marry him. All
her tears and entreaties had availed no.
thing, and at last she had got her spirit up,
and stoutly declared that she would never
marry him. Aunt Dorcas was sent for in
haste If anybody could conquer Syl'sre-
bellious spirit, she could. But even Aunt
Dorcas failed the utmost Concession that
could be obtained from Syl was promise
that she would never marry Will without
her fathers consent. She would not prom
Use MOTTO see or speak to Will, as they
tried to make her. 3fi3yoU yrs iGdl N1uI
Silas Daggett was established in the dea-
cons house as boarder, that he might
have all possible opportunity for prosecut-
ing his suit, and Syl was tormented almost
beyond endurance. 20 l'o o3h"p
The clicking of Aunt Dorcas' needles
went on, and Aunt Dorcas' sharp voice
kept company with it, ringing over the
changes upon Syl'S ingrAtitude and hard
ness Of heart. Syl began to think she
should go wild listening tolit. gn'a5hH
Her patience gave out at last. She shut
the pahtry-doo forcibly-yery forcibly'3
might as wen own that she slammed it, foi
syl was not an angel, by any means. sh'
hardly dared to go ont to put the biscuits
she had made into the oven, for she felt 81
angry that she was not at all sure that sh'
should not say something impertinent Il
Aunt Dorcas But it had TO be done 81