The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-02-15
CONTRARY MINDED.

unused the deacon's housckeeper a. the
deacon drove oil alone to the Annual
Conference. He's commonly master
thoughtful about lookin' out for folks.
What a husband he was
Yes. Asa PhTniX had been \ good
husband All the neichbors agreed
with Mrs Dubbs in that particular. He
had waited upon his fus>y invalid wife
l.y inches for thirty wears, making her
a. happy as she would let him; and
when her summons came, he had closed
her diving ewes tcnderlv, saving even
with tears Poor sufferer. she IL better
or"
That HE was better of he never hint
ed bv word or look He wore his wild.
overs weeds with sad decorum : he
reared in memory of the departed Lu.
cinda monument which the most
fastidious deceased might have cnvicd
he grieved faithfully for the full allotted
wear of mourning II now, from the
ashes of the funeral pyre. like his feath-
cred namesake Of fable, he wa, spring
ing up with renewed youth and fresh
ness, was II not we'll.
In truth. though he had not seen fit
To coniide this fact To Mrs DubbS, Dea-
con Phoenix had sighted the minister
deliberately and with malice aiore-
thought Nor was ii Of the Conference
he was thinking that fragrant June
morning as he whIrlcd away. tucking
the ap-robe well about his glossy new
broadcloth For once in his hitherto
hlameless life he was essaying to hide
the secular underneath the spiritual.
He did not mean 10 20 straight To meet
IA wide circuit. aud call on Miss Olive
Wavne in the toxin Of Chester lie
had question to ask her, and did not
want the parson with him lac hoped
he might want him later.
Pretty, cheerful Olive, How fond
he had been of her, years ago, when
she attended his school. If he had not
then been in love with Lucinda, he was
sure he should have fallen in love with
her. mere child though she was He
had never lost sight Of her, and he
thanked Providence that he had been
enabled by money and influence To help
her family over some hard places
Please God. the dear girl should hence.
forth have an easier life Girl. WHY.
little Olive must he fifty : The good
deacon laughed at the amusing recollec-
ton. Well, she would always seem
Young To him. And as for himself, ~
sixty odd lac was hale man vet; hc
could Jump a five rail fence as well A.
ever he cUuld-give him time His
thoughts continually reverted to Olive
so patiently devoted to her invalid
father. She should bring the old gen
.leman To his house if she wished or he
would provide for his maintenance at
her brother Reuben's He was inclined
to consider that the better plan The
money would not object 10 Reuben
In those cogitarions the morning pas
sed. and noon found Deacon PhunN at
the little hotel in Chester. Impatient of
DELAY, after hast" dinner he set GU,
almost Immediately for the Wayne
homestead Arrived at the gate. he
~picd Miss Olive at the window. and
alighied with youthful! agility not al
together prudent in man who had
twinges of sciatica. And yct-strangc
| inconsistency of human nature he
dalIied at th. hitching post, and after
ward. with his hand on the very knock
er. he paused 10 sean the distant hori-
| Zon. a though he had come mainly for
Il view Of the mountains Miss Olive
| opened the door, her checks flushing
| like late October peaches. She would
not have been woman bad she not
/ OWNED the deacon'S tender mission.
proclaimed bv every detail of his i'm
maculaie toilette. hv the grasp Of his
! hand, bv his nervous eXpectant air.
| And, moreover. Miss Olive was an at
I jraclive woman. not IMMERSED in lover,
/ ways.
Happy to see YOU. Mr.. PhrnX
Walk in. = said she ilurredly, usheriug
him into the sitting room where her
aged father dozed in his armchair.
Who is it. olive" said tie old
gentleman, waking with bcwildered
stare.
Mr.. Phmnix, father. You remem.
Der Mr.. Phu.nix. I'm sure
Il don't know as ! do" said he,
querulouslv, fumbing with the guest
outstretched hand. What's he com,
for, Olive -
The deacon looked As If he was sud
denly feeling the hot weather: Miss
Olive was positively fevcrish, but she
evaded the troublesome question by di-
verting her father, attention His pep
permiut tea was rcadv-would he not
drink il. As she lowered about the in
valid. strengthening his faotstool, ar
ranging his pillows, steadying the cuI
while he drank. Mr. Phunix regarded
her aimiringlv How Young she seem
ed still, Not Il gray thread in her gold
rn hair: scarcely wrinkle in her face
That was because of her excellent dis
uosition. He waited till she had soolh
ed the old man into slumber. then in q
direct manly way introduced the subject
that Law next his heart
Miss Olive interrupted him 10y al
eloquent glance coward her father,
He L. very childish and dependent
He can not do without me
Let me help YOU care f"r him, Olive
my house i. large, nv means are ample.
couldn't. Mr. PhmuiX-it is like
your generosity 10 purpose such q thing
hu, couldn't have him burden upoi
YOU"
WHY, bless YOUR soul, Olive, do yo'
suppose should consider friend q
YOURS a burden -
You don't know how trying poo
father would he tn any body but his Owl
daughter, and think he is likely to liv'
to great age, az grandfather did"
" For that very reason. then
. Besides it would make him wretch
ed to take him from the old homes tead.
= But, Olive
= 80 You see I'm engaged. Nj
. Phoenix" said Mss Olive, playfully