The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-24
Deacon Grinders Experiment.

Deacon Grinders Experiment.
hope the children haven't been any |
Trouble to you, Miss Peck p SAID Deacon
Grinder, as his one horse chasc drew up
on the green in front of Miss Philcna
Pcck's house.
Mrs. Peck hurried out, all smiles, to
greet the portly widowcr.
The little darlings?' cried s. ctfus-
lively. "Trouble indeed Why, deacon
how you talk! It's a positive pleasure
to have EN- here. / should like to keep
them week"
The deacon smiled and shook his head.
"That would he little too much"
sad lie. 'Comc children, jump into the
wagon"
And the three applc-cleckcd little
Grindcrs--two girls and boy--were
kissed, and Rugged, and lifted into the
wagon by the beaming spinster.
II shall be 50 lonely when they are
gonc," she said. IL do so dotc on chill
dren! Remember, darlings, that the goose
berries will be ripe next week, and that
your own Peck will be only too happy
to see you again."
The widow Clapp came hurrying out,
as the chaisc ratified hy, with Il tin pail in
her hand
"Dear me, Deacon Grinder" said she,
"iou arc always in such a hurry. Do
stop minute, can't you? Herc'sa pail
OF our new honey in the comb. know
the darlings will like it on their bread
and butter Of III evening. When arc
they coming to spend the day with me?
J declare Josie is growing Il perfect
bcautyr'
"Tut, tut, Mrs. Clapp!" said the dca-
con, his face beaming Ill over with salts
faction. "Handsomc is that handsome
does. That is my motto"
"And nobody can't do handsomcr than
my little Joe" SAID Mrs Clapp. "And
there's Tommy grown as handsome as
never was, and Dolly the very picture of
you; drop in to tea some evening this
week."
The deacon had hardly guided his old
horse around the corner Of the village
green when Miss Barbary Bowycr trippcd
out of the millinery store.
~ do hope you'll excuse nc, Deacon
Grinder" said she, with all the pretty
confusion which naturally belongs to a
maiden OF six anA thirty summers, " but
! was 50 editicd with your bc-yu-tiful
remarks in prayer meeting, Monday
night, that couldn't help setting myself
to work to think what could do for YOU.
And here's collar I've stitched for dear
Tommy, and handkerchief I've en-
broidered for Josie, and doll us I've took
the liberty to dress for Dorothy. Oh,
don't thank me, pray. It amt nothin',
compared with the peace of mind got
listening to your precious rcmarksr'
| But Naomi Poole, sitting at her needle
work, by the old red farm house window,
had only Il smile and nod for the party
as they drove by.
'Pa," said Josie, who was Il shww.l,
sallow- faced child of eleven, "don't Miss
Poole love us as we'll as Miss Peck, and
Mrs. Clapp, and Miss Barbara Bowycr?
II hope SO, my child" said the benign
deacon. "Why do you ask the question:?
because she never gives us ANYTHING, '
said JOSIE
"Shc is poor, child-shc is poor" said
the deacon. "But I am sure you all have
her good wishes
I'D rather have honey" said Tommy
Sand gooseberries and doQs," added
little Dorothy.
But when the deacon sat alone by lis
lear'hstone that evening, his sister, Miss
Mallala Ann Grinder, expressed herself on
the subject with great plainncss and per.
spicuity.
'1f you've really made up your mind
to marry again, joshua She.
II think it would add to my domestic
felicity" said the deacon, serenity
Gin that case" said Mal,ala Ann, 81 do
hope you'll make sensible choice, and
not allow yourself to he imposed upon by
il pack of selfish widows and schemine
old maids"
'Sister,' said the deacon mildly, "you
are severe"
"No, ain't,' said Miss Mahala Ann
IF you wasn't we'll to do in the world
and hadn't a nice home and farm, and
money at interest, they wouldn't none Of
'cm lsok twice at you.''
''Do you think so?'' said the deacon
and he pondered the question long and
earnestly in his own mind. Upon the
WHOLE said he, bringing down his palm
upon the table, II amt sorry that those
investments of mine in the Maripcsa Sll
yer Company have proved failurc''
"What do you mean," said Miss Mahala
Ann, curiously cycling him over the top OF
her spcctacles.
But the deacon only shook his head
and smiled.
''Timc will show" said he, "time will
show"
The news that Deacon Grinder was
wrecked in Mariposa Silver Mining stock
flew like wildfrc through the peaceful
; community at Fitchville Four Corners
SWELL" said Miss Philena Peck, II am
beatw
"Hc never had no judgement in money
Matters" said the widow Clapp.
give thought all long that he was
living too FAST" said Barbara Bowyer.
"Thosc poor little children, what 10 to
become of thcm?'' said Naomi Poole
wistfully.
The next day the deacon made his ap.
pcarance ut Miss Pcck's homestead, pale
and rather shabby, with a child in each
. hand, and one following him.
miss Pcck,'' said he, II suppose you
have heard the news?"
"Yes," saia Miss Peck, looking vinega,
and tack nails. IF it's your failure as
you mean"
II think OF going to California" said
! the deacon, 'to sec what can do, and if