South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-05-23
The Deacon's Experiment.


up on the green in front of Miss Phile-
ma Peck's house.
Miss Peck hurried out, all smiles, 10
greet the portly widower.
The little darlings.' cried she, ELUSIVE
ly. Trouble. indeed! Why, Deacon,
how you talk It's positive pleasure
to have 'em here, l should like 10 keep
them here week.
Il The deacon smiled and shook his head.
That wonld be n little too much. said
he. Come children, jump into the wa
gon.'
And the three apple-cheeked little
Grinders-two girls and boy-were
kissed and Rugged, and lifted into the
wagon by the beaming spinster.
Il shall be lonely when they are gone.
she said. Il do SO dote on children =
Remember, darlines. that the gooseber-
ries will be ripe next week, and that
your own Pecky will be only too happy
to see you again
The widow Clapp came hurrying, out
as the chaise ratified by, with tin nail
in her hand.
Dear Inc. Deacon Grinder said she,
you are always in such hurry. Do
stop minute, can't you? l haven't
seen the children in an age. Here's a
pail of our new honey in the comb. l
know, the darlings will like it on their
bread and butter. OF an evening. When
are they coming to spend the day with
me? l declare Josie is growing to be
a perfect beauty
Tut, tut. Mrs. Clapp.' said tue dea-
con, his face shining all over with salts
faction. Handsome is that handsome
does. That's my motto
And nobody can'tdo handsomer than
my little joe said Mrs. Clapp. And
there's Tommy grown, 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 viii
lage green when Miss Barbara Boyer
tripped out Of the millinery store.
Il do hope you'll excuse Inc Deacon
Grinder. said she, with all the pretty
confusion which naturally belongs to a
m alden Of six and thirty summers, but
| was so edited with your beautiful re-
marks in prayermeeting, Monday night.
that | could not help setting myself
to work To think what | could do
for you. And here's a collar I've
stitched for dear Tommy, and n hand
kerchief I've embroidered for Josie, and
del as I've took the liberty to dress
for Dorothy. Oh, don't thank me, pray.
1t amt nothing compared 10 the peace Of
mind | got, listening to your precious
remarks! =
But Naomi Poole, sitting at her needle
work, by the old red farm house WIN
dow, had only n smile and nod for he
party as they drove by.
pa said Josie, who was shrewd sal
low faced child of eleven, don't Miss
Poole love IA "a we'll as Miss Peck, and
Mrs. Clapp and Miss barbara Boyer?'
i hope so, my child said the benign
deacon. Why doyou ask the question:
Because she never gives US anything
sail Josie.
She is poor child-she is poor said
the deacon. But | am sure you all have
her good wishes.
I'd rather have the honey said Tom.
my.
and gooseberries and dolls, added
! little Dorothy.
But when the deacon sat alone by his
hearthstone, that evening, his sister,
Miss Mahala Ann Grinder expires sed
herself on the subject with great plain.
ness and perspicaCity.
IF you've really made up your mind
| to marry again Joshua, said she
Il think it would add to my domestic
| felicity said the deacon serenely.
In that case said Miss Mahala Ann,
Il do hope you'll make sensible choice,
and not allow yourself to be imposed
upon by pack of selfish widows and
schemug old maids.
Sister, said the deacon mildly, you
are severe
NO / ain t. said Miss Mahala Ann.
! IT you wasn't well to do in the world,
and had not n nice home and farm, and
money at interest they wouldn't none
/ Of EN- look twice at you
Don't You think SOP said the deacon,
and he pondered the question long and
earnestly in bis own mind. Upon the
whole, said he, bringing his palm down
upon the table. 4 amt sorry that those
+ investments Of mine in the Mariposa
Silver Mining Company have proved
/ failure.
What do You mean sail Miss Ma
hala Ann. curiously cycling hun over
the top OF her spcctaces.
But the deacon only shook his head
and smiled.
Time will show, sail ho-timo will
show.
The news that Deacon Grinder was
wrecked in Mariposa Silver Mining stock
. flew like wildfre through the peac erul
community at Fitchvilc -Four Corners.
Well said Miss Phileua Peck. 4 am
beat
lie never hOd no Judgment in money
matters said the widow Clspp
/ I've thought all along lac was living
too fast said Barbara Boyer.
Those poor little chiliren-what Is TO
become OF them" said Naomi Poole
wistfully.
The nest day thc deacon made his
appearance at Miss PcCks homestead.