Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-07-24


"Don't you think so ?" saId the
deacon and he pondered the Ques-
tion long and earnestly 6n lis own
mind. Upon the whole, said he,
bringing down R1is palm upon the
table, "I ain>t sorry that those in-
vestments of mine in the Mariposa
Silver Mining Company have prov
ed atailure."
"What do you mean ?" said Miss
Mahala Ann, curiously cycling him
over the top of her spectacles.
But the deacon only shock Ills
head and smiled.
"Time will show,n said he
"time will show"
TIE news that Deacon Grinder
was wrecked in Mariposa Silver
Mining stock few like wildfire
through the peaceful community at
Fitchville Four Corners.
"%en," sai6 Miss Thllena Peck,
'T am beat I"
"He never had no judgement in
money Matters" said the widow
Clapp.
"TI've thought all along he was
living too FAST" said Barbara Boy
er.
''Those poor little children-what
is tn become of them 2 said Naomi
Poole, wistfully.
The next day the deacon maGe
his appearance at Miss Peck's home
stead, pale and rather shabby, with
a child i'm each hand and one follow
ing him. "Miss Peck" said he,
"I suppose you haYe heard the
news 2"
EYES," said Miss Peck, docking
vinegar and tack nsi.s. F'If it's
your failure as you mean"
81 think OF going TO California"
said the deacon, Ito see what / can
do, and if in the meantime, you
could be induced to give my chill
dren q home"
'N0h, dear no I" never could get
along with pack Of children. /
dare say yu can ind some half Or
phan asylum, or place Of that sort,
10y iDquiring around o little"
Miss Peck sat SO very upright and
glared 50 frightfulIy out of her light
blue eyes at the descou that he was
fain to beat as rapid q retreat as
possible.
He knocked next at the widow
Clapp's door. A slip sho1 servant
maid opened it.
SIS Mrs. Clapp at home ?" he
asked.
A head was thrust over the stair
railing and the widows shrill voice
cried out:
"Is that Josiah Grinder, with his
swarm of young ones ? Tell him l
am particular engaged. Do you
hear, Betsy p-particular J"
Miss BarbaEN Boyer was arrang-
ing trimmed hats and rolls of bright
colored ribbons in her show window
as the deacon entered the shop.
Miss Boyer" said the deacon,
"you were ever a genial and charit-
able soul, it is to you that trust to
make a home for my motherless
little ones, while 1 endeaYor to re-
trieve my fortunes in the Far West. "
"Icouldn't 't think of such a thing!',
said Miss Barbara, dropping a box
Of artificial rosebuds in her conster-
nation. "And 1 really think, Dea-
con Grinder, you haven't no bust
ness to expect it of me It's all l
can do to support myself, let alone a
pack of unruly children! 1 dare say
the poor master could do something
for 'em or"
"I thank you," said the deacon
with dignity. 81 shall trouble nei-
ther you nor him."
"Well," said Miss Boyer with a
toss of her head, 'you needn't fly
into a rage because neighbor offers
you a bit of good advice I"
But Naomi Poole ran out to the
little garden gate as the forlorn dea-
went by.
Deacon Grinder" hesitated she,
turning rose.red and white by turns
''is this true?"
"About my Mariposa Investments
Yes"
Sand that you are going to Cali
fornia?"
"I am talking of it," said the dea.
con.
"Would-could you let me take
care Of the little ones while you are
gone ?" said Naomi, tenderly draw
ing little Dolly to her side. 81 am
fond of children, and I would take
the best of care Of them. And you
have been SO kind to mother and
me. Deacon Grinder. that we should