The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-07-24
Deat,on Grinders Experiment.

II hope the children haven't been any
uoubIe to you, Miss Peck 2" said Deacon
Grindf, as his one-horse chaise drew up
on the. .green in front of Miss Philena
Peck S :house.
Mrs1Pec hurried out, all smiles, to
greet be portly widower.
"Th{ little darlings:' cried S, e ctfus-
lively. !Trouble indeed Why, deacon
how yo1. talk! It's positive pleasure
to have 'cm here | should like to keep
them week
The deacon smiled and shook his head
''Th;et would be little too much" ;"
sad hcl "Come children, jump into the
wagon.
And the three apple-cheeked little
kissed. and hugsed, and lifted into the
wagon by the beaming spinster.
IL s:,al be SO lonely when they are
gone" she said IL do so dote on chill
dren Remember, ,darlings, that the goose
berries will be ripe next week, and that
your owl Peck will be only too happy
to sec YOU again
The widow Clapp came hurrying out,
as the chaise ratified hy, with a tin pail in
her hanI
"Deas me, Deacon Grinder,' said she,
"1ou II always in such hurry. Do
stop a l1inute, can't you? Here's a pail
of our lew honey in the comb. know
the dar. ings will like it on their bread
and buiter of an evening. When are
they cohing to spend the day with me?
| decl:sse Josie is growing a perfect
beauty
'Tut..tut Mrs. Clapp!' said the dea-
con, hi{ face beaming ali over with salts
factionN "Handsome is that handsome
does. That is my motto"
"And: nobody can't do handsomer than
my little Joe," SAID Mrs Clapp. "And
there's Tommy grown as handsome as
never vas, and Dolly the very picture of
ysat.1 y9ui df| |p in to tea some evening this
The '*eacon had hardly guided his old
horse az t,und the corner of the village
green W ben Miss Barbary Bowyer tr;pped
out of tSle millinery store
II dotlope you'll excuse me, Deacon
Grindeo5" said she, with all the pretty
confusi;n which naturally belongs 10 a
maidei ;of six and thirty summers, " but
l was ,; edited with your be-yu-tiful
remarks: in prayer meeting. Monday
night, ssat | couldn't help setting myself
to work::to think what could do for you
And hclf's Il collar I've stitched for dear
Tommy and a handkerchief I've en-
brcldcrfi for Josie, and doll as I've took
the l1be{ty to dress for Dorothy. Oh,
aon tthynk me, pray. 1t amt nothin',
company with the peace of mind l got
hstenln. to your precious remarks''
But Naomi Poole, sitting at her needle
work, bt' the old red farm house window,
haa on]f a smile and nod for the party
as they irove by
Pa, {sald Josie, who was shrewd,
sallow.tfced child Of eleven, ''don't Miss
Poole lt)-e us as we'll as Miss Peck, and
Mrs Cijpp, and Miss Barbara Bowyer?"
Il hole so, my ild,n said the benign
deacon : "Why do you ask the question:"
"Bec:ilse she never gives us anything"
said jose.
",he . poor, child-she is poor said
the deatbn. "But am sure you all have
her gool wishes
I'd rsther have honey" said Tommy.
and lgooseberries and dolls" added
little n!rothy.
But Wlcn the deacon sat alone bv his
near hstone that evening, his sister, Miss
Mahiia Ann Grinder, expressed herself on
the subl.ct with great plainness and per-
spicuityE-
III you've really made up your mind
10 marry again, Joshua"-said she.
II th1lk IT would add to my domestic
felicity, said the deacon, serenlv.
"in t=i|lt case, said Mahala Ann, ~ do
hope yoa'll make sensible choice. and
not alloy yourself to be imposed upon by
apaek # selfish aidows and schemino
old msJs-'
sisiSf, said the deacon mildly, "you
No amt said Miss N"hala Ann