The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-07-23
Deacon Grinders Experiment

fa nope the children haven't been anV
trouble to you, Miss Peck e. said Deacon
Grinder, as his one-horse chaise drew up 40
on the green in front Of Miss Philena
Peck's house.. u.s. III .5.'' .s1&1 H.
Mrs. Peck hurried out, all smiles, to
greet the portly widower. sIs.
"The little darlings?' cried S. effus-
lively. Trouble indeed Why, deacon
how you talk! It's positive pleasure
to have 'em here. I should like to keen
them week. ~ '@s, ''..t! 4" ~ IL
The deacon smiled and shook his head.
"That would be a little too much,'
SAID al he: "Come children, jump into the
wagon 49, - ~ ~. - .|''f
And the three apple-cheeked little
Grinders-two girls and a boy-were
kissed, and Rugged, and lifted into the
wagon by the b'ea'n bear spinster. >,., Ri.
81 shall be SO lonely when they are
gone, " she said. II do SO dote on chill
tdren! 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." 5" II ~
The widow Clapp came hurrying out,
as the chaise ratified by, with a tin pail in
her hand. - -"5 -,
dear me, Deacon Grinder" said she.
g You are always in such hurry. DO
stop minute, can't you? Here's pail
OF our new honey in the comb. I know
the darlings will like it on their bread
and butter Of an evening. When are
they coming to spend the day with me?
| declare Josie is growing a perfect
beautyv'
"Tut, tut, Mrs. Clapp!'' said the dea-
con, his face beaming all over with salts
faction. Handsome is that handsome
does. That is my motto" ID
: "And nobody can't do handsomer 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 Bowyer tripped
out Of the millinery store. w. I'll
II do hope you'll excuse me, Deacon
Grinder,' said she, with all the pretty
confusion which naturally belongs to
maiden of six and thirty summers, * but
l was so edited with your be.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 u collar I've stitched for, dear
Tommy, and handkerchief I've en-
broidered for Josie, and doll as I've took
the liberty to dress for Dorothy. Oh.
don't thank me, pray. It amt nothin',
compared with the peace of mind I got
listening to your precious remarks!'' ~
b But Naomi Poole, sitting at her needle
work, by the old red farm house window,
had only a smile and nod for the party
as they drove by. 4. .. .rp,. -
"Pa," said Josie, who was a shrewd,
sallow-face child of eleven, "don't Miss
Poole love us as we'll as Miss Peck, and
Mrs. Clapp, and Miss Barbara Bowyer?"
81 hope SO, my child,'' said the benign
deacon "Why do you ask the question:"
il. "Because she never gives us anything e."
said Josie: ,Nus..4 49, ..y ..',ls:z
F., "She poor, child-she is poor, said
the deacon. "But am sure you all have
her good wishes.'' s.sa ,eo9r Nv
I'D rather have honey" said Tommy.
."And gooseberries and dolls," added
little Dorothy. ."' l@3-- "4|at." T..
But when the deacon sat alone by his
hearthstone that evening, his sister, Miss
MahaIa Ann Grinder, expressed herself on
the subject with great plainness and per-
spicuity. :Ht-r - -f|.'.f- tt,4~ -..
eff you've really made up your mind
to marry again, joshua said She ~.
II think it would add to my domestic
felicity" said the deacon, serenity -
"In that case" said Mahala Ann, II do
hope you'll make sensible choice, and
not allow yourself to be imposed upon by
a pack of selfish widows and scheming
old maids" ~,
SISTER" said the deacon mildly, "you
are severe" !. ....tZ..H
"No, I ain't,' said Miss Mahala Ann.
eff you wasn't we'll to do in the world.
and hadn't nice home and tarm, and
money at interest, they wouldn't none of
'em look twice at you.'' .-5s5" ts.' rr
''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 Sill
vcr Company have proved failure"
"What do you mean," said Miss Mahala
Ann, curiously cycling him over the top of
her spectacles. .1..''s"'3 1,.e
! But the deacon only shook his head
and smiled. .'-' .'.f'' -,,
"Time will show" said he, "time will
show" avg a, t,-.',sa. 49,
The news that Deacon Grinder was
wrecked in Mariposa Silver Mining stock
flew like wildfrc through the peaceful
community at Fitchville -Four Corners.
"Well," said Miss Philena Peck, ~ am
beat!' ~ .gr ~ ~, T..- s-a,,i
"He never had no judgement in money
Matters" said the widow Clapp.
] eve thought all long that he was
living too FAST" said Barbara Bowyer.
"Those poor little children, what is to
become of them2" said Naomi Poole,
wistfully. gat s.@ .-.,@r.. -
The next day the deacon made his ap-
pearance at Miss Peck's homestead, pale
and rather shabby, with child in each
hand, and one following him.
miss Peck" said he, II suppose you
have heard the news2"
eyes" saia Miss Peck, looking vinegar
and tack nails tt1f ;f,c ,,o,,r %,:1,,.S -,