The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-07-18
DEACON GRINDERS EXPERIMENT.

81 hope the children haven't been any
trouble to you Miss Peck?' said Dea-
con Grinder, rs his one-horse chaise
drew up on the green in front of Miss
Phiena Peck's house.
Miss Peck hurried out, all smiles, to
greet the portly widower.
"The little darlings" cried she, ef-
fusively. "Trouble, indeed! Why dea-
con, how you talk! It's positive plea
sure to have 'am here. l should like
to keep them a week.
The deacon only smiled and shook
his head.
"That would be a little too much,"
said he. "Come, children, jump into
the wagon"
And these applc-cheeked little Grin
ders-two girls and a boy--were kissed,
and hugged, and lifted into the wagon
by the becoming spinster.
81 shall be so lonely when they are
gone" she said, 81 do so dote on chill
dren! Remember, darlings, that the
gooseberrics will be ripe next week
and thatlyour own Peck will be only toe
happy TO see you again."
The widow Clapp came hurting out
as the chase ratified by, with tin pal
in her hand.
'Dear me, Deacon Grinder" sale
she. "You are always in such a hurry
Do stop a minute, can't you? Here's {
| nail of our new honey in the comb.
know the darlings will like it on thei
bread and butter of an evening. Wher
are they coming to spend the day will
me? declare Josie is growing to be a
perfect beautyW
"Tut, tut, Mrs. Clapp!" said the dea
con, his face shining all over with sat
isfaction. ''IIandsome is that hand
some does. That's my motto"
"And there's Tommy grown as hand
some as never was, Dolly the very pic
sure of you; drop in to tea some even
ing this week."
The deacon had hardly guided hi
old horse around the corner of the vii
laye green when Miss Barbara Bowye
tripped out of the millinery store.
"1 do hope you'll excuse me, Deaco
Grinder" said she, with all the prett
confusion which naturally belongs 10
maiden of six summers, "but was 5
edited with your bc-yu-tiful remarks j
prayer meeting Monday night. that
couldn't help setting myself to work
think what could do tor yoy. An
here's a collar I've stitched for Tomm
and handkerchief I've embroidered fc
Josie, and doll as I've took the libcrt
to dress for Dorothy. oh, don't than
me pray. 1t amt nothin', compare
with the peace o. mind got listenin
to your gracious remarksW
But Naomi Poole, sitting at IN
needle work, by the old red farm hou
window, had only smile and a M
! for the party as they drove by.
"Pa," said Josie, who was shrev
sollow faced child of eleven. "doi
Miss Poole love us rs well as Miss Pc
and Mrs. Clapp, and Miss Barbara DO
yer~
deacon. "Why do you ask the out
tion"
I "Because she never gives Us al
thing" said Josie.
"She is poor child she is poor
said the deacon. "Bnt ani sure y
all have ller good wishes"
81 would rather have honey" 81
Tommy.
i "And gooseberries and dolls," add
0 little Dorothy.
But when the deacon sat alone by
hearthstone that evening, his sis
Miss Mahala Ann Grinder, express
herself on the subject with great pla
i ness and prespicuity. "lf you've re
ly made up your mind TO marry aga
III Joshua''-said she.
|, 81 think il would add 10 the don
. tic felicity" said the deacon, serene
"ln that case" said Miss Mahala n
81 hope you'll make a sensible, che
and not allow yourself TO be impo
upon by pack of selfish widows
= schehing old maids"
Or ''Sister," said the deacon, "you
seyere,n
"No, amt said Miss Mahala Ann.
You wasn't we'll TO do in the world,