Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-09-27
Deacon Stokes.

There once lived one Asa Stokes
One Of those men whom everything provokes
A surly-tempered, evil-minded bearish
ln-natured king of being;
He was the deacon Of the parish
And had the overseeing
OF some small matters, such as the ringing
or the ehnrcl-bell, and took the lead in singing
Well, Deacon Stokes had gone 60 bed. one night
About eleven or before,
Twas In December If nv inerpory,s ri,bt in "a
Twas cold enough TO make a Russian shiver;
think never knew one
Colder than this-in faith it was a blue one
As by the almanac foretold twas
real Lapland night. o dear how cold 'twasl
There was a chap about there named Ezekiel.
A clever, good-fornotling fellow,
Who very often used TO get quite mellow;
OF whom the Deacon always used TO speak in;
For he was fond OF cracking jokes
On Deacon Stokes, TO show on
What terms lie stood among the women folks, and
It came to pass that on the night speak of,
Ezekiel left the tavern bar-room where
He spent the evening for the sake of
Drowning his care, by partaking
OF the merry ry+naking and enjoyment
OF some good fellows there, whose sole employment
Was, a kinds of weather, on every night
BY early candle light, to get together
Reading the papers smoking pipes and chewing
Telling long yarns, and pouring down the ruin.
Pretty well corned, and up to anything
Drunk as a lord and happy as a king
Blue as a razor. from his midnight revel
Nor fearing muskets, women. or the devil;
With light heart-mueh lighter than a feather
With light soul that spurned the freezing weather
And with head ten times light as either;
And purse, perhaps, as light as all together.
IN aufI aI~t ..-ger..
OF thought, until he brought
Up at post before the Deaeon's mansion.
With one around the post awhile he stood
In thoughtful mood, with one eve turned
Up toward the window where, with feeble glare
candle burned:
Then with serious face and a grave mysterious
Shake Of the head, Ezekiel said
tHis right eve once more thrown upon the beacon
That from the window shone) I'm start the Deacon
Rap, rap. rap rap, went Deacon stokes knocker.
But no one stirred; rap, rap, it went again;
by George it must be after ten or
They must take an early hour for turning in
Rap, rap. rap rap-"My conscience how they keep
Aiellow waiting-Patienee, how they sleepir
The Deacon then began to be alarmed.
And in amazement threw up the easement;
And with cap on head, of fiery red
Demanded what the cause was of the riot
That thus disturbed his quiet
Quite cool this evening, Deacon Stokes . replied
The voice below. "Well, sir, what is the matter r.
Quite chilly, Deacon; how your teeth do chatterW
''iou vagabond, pretty time you have chosen
To show your wit; for am almost frozen;
Be oil, or will put the lash onr'
'Why bless you, Deacon, don't be in a passionr
Twas all in vain 70 speak again, .
For with the Deacons threat about the lash
Down went the sash.
Rap, rap, rap, rap, the knocker went again.
Aud neither Of them a very light rap; - F.
Thump, thump against the door went Ezekiels cane
And that once brought Deacon Stokes night cap
! Very cold weather, Deacon Stokes, tonightr
| 'Begone, Won vile, insolent dog or I'll
| Give Won warning that shall serve you right; -
You villain, it is time to end the hoax "
why, bless yOur soul and body, Deacon Stokes
Don't be 50 cross when I've here, in this severe
Night which is cold enough TO kill a horse
For your advise upon a very difficult and nice
Question Now, bless you, do make haste and dress
YOU"
/ Well well, out with it, If it must be sO
| Be quick about it, I'm very cold"
| ''Well. Deacon, don't doubt it,
/ In few words the matter be told
/ Deacon, the case is this; want to know
/ II this cold weather lasts all summer here
| What time will green peas come next yearl7