Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-05-13


..No ain.," said Miss Mahala. Ann. If
you wasn't well TO do in the world. and had
not nice home aud farm, aud mouey at in-
| terest, they wouldn't noae OF 'em look twice
| At you"
| aud he pondered the question long and
| earnestly in his own mind. Upon the
| WHOLE said he, bringing his palm down
upon the table, 81 aiu't sorry that those in
| vesImeDts of mine in the Msriposa Silver
Mining Company have proved failure"
What do you mean!" said Miss Mahala
Auu. curiously eyeing him over the top OF
her speetacles.
Bu, the deacon only shook his head and
smiled.
Time will show, said he-"time will
| show"
The news that Deacon Grinder was
wrecked in Mariposa Silver Mining stock
| flew like wildfire through the peaceful COM.
munity at Fuchville F"ur Corners,
"well," said Miss PhiIeoa Peck, "1 am
beat,"
'Hc never had no judgment in money
matters" said the widow Clspp.
"I've thought all along he was living too
fast." said Barbara Boyer.
Those poor little children-what is to
become OF them ?" said Naomi Poole, visit
! fully.
| Tho next day. the deacon made his sp-
| pearauce at Miss Peck's homestead, pale aud
rather shabby. with n child in each hand,
aud one following him. Miss Peck" said
| he, II suppose you have heard the news."
Yes" said Miss Peck. looking vinegar
and tack nails. IF it's your failure as you
| mean"
II think of going to California" said the
deacon, "to see what can do, aud If in the
meantime. you could be induced to give my
children . home"
could get along with pack Of children! 1
luni. or place of that sort, by inquIring
| around q little"
Miss Peck sat SO very upright aud glared
so frightfully out of her light blue eyes at
the deacon that he was iain to beat rs rapid
o retreat rs possible.
He knocked next at the widow Clspp's
door. A slip shod servant maid opened it.
"Is Mrs. Clspp at homer" he asked.
A head was thrust over the stair railing,
and the widows shrill voice cried out:
'.Is that Josiah Grinder with his swarm
! O. young ones? Toll him l am particularly
engaged. Do your hear, Betsy particu-
lar"
Miss Barbara Boyer was arranging trim-
med hats and rolls OF bright coored ribbons
in her bow window as tho deacon entered
| the shop.
"Miss Boyer" said the deacon. "you were
ever a genial and charitable soul; il is to you
that irust to make home ior ny moIher-
| less little ones, while cndeavor to retrieve
my fortunes in the far Wet"
~ couldn't think Of such thing" said
Miss Barbara. dropping a box of artificial
rosebuds in her consternstion. "And I
Ilv Cr;n
no business TO expect il Of me! les all l can
do to support myself, let alone pack of un>
ruly chIldreul l dare say the poor naster
| could do something for 'em or"
Il thank you" said the deacon with dig.
nifty. ~ shall trouble neither you nor
him."
"Well." said Miss Boyer. with q toss Of
her head, "you needn't fly into u rsge be-
cause neighbor offer you bit Of good ad>
vicei"
Blu. Naomi Poole ran out to the lit.ls
garden gate as the fOrlOrn deacon Was going
| by.
deacon Grinder" besitated she, turning
! rose-rcd and white by turns, ..is .his rueY"
About my Mariposa Investment? Yes"
"And that you are going 10 California;"
81 am talking OF ii" said the deacon.
"Would-could you let me take care Of
the little ones while you are gomez" said
Naomi, tenderly drawing little Dolly to her
side. IL am very fond of children, and I
would take the best cere Of them. And you
have been so kind to mother and me Deacon
Grinder, that we should feel il privilege TO
be able TO do something for you"
And poor soft hearted little Naomi burst
into crying.
There was q moisture on the deacon's eye
lashes, too.
"God bless you. Naomi!" said he, "You
are good girl"
"Aiu't it true?" said Phieua Peck
We'll, said Mrs. NopsIry. iii il. and ID
amt He did lose what he invested 10 then,
! Mariposa mines, but 1t wss only thousand
dollars, aud the rest Of his money is all right
and safe in United States bonds and solid
real estate"
BLESS me-" said Barbara Boyer
'.Well, never!" said the widow Clapp,
| with discorEfted countensnce
And went on Mrs MopsIey, with evident
| relisn in the conformation she was causing,
They are building new wing to the house,
| and be IS 10 be married TO Naomi Poole in
| the fall"
"a child like that" said Mrs. Clspp.
| "With no experience whsteveri" said
! Barbara Boyer, scornfully.
| 81 only hope he won't rerent OF his bar
! gain" sighed Miss PhiIepa Peck
| And Miss Phiieua's charitable h0pes wero
fulfilled. The deacon never did repent Of
his bargain.
| DRUHKEH S1UFP.-How many children
and women are slowly aud surely dying, or
rather being killed, by excessive doctoring,
or the daily use OF some drug OF drupken
| stuff called medicine. that no one knows what
: IL il made of who can easily he enred and