Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-02-05
The Deacon'S Trials.

Il is certain that Satap's widest territory Is
10 the domain cf chance, a2d that luck is
false 6end and his principal miuion. which Is
proved by the dreadful fate Of those Who con'
staotly gamble, and by Tho receos disaster TO
certain good dsacon Of Davenport, loTa. HIM.
the Ingenious Christians Of Davenport had long
gorshipcd Gs the most salut'y OF all aeaoors,
and the female portlon Of the congregation "nn'
dcrcd how i, was that be bad not been forcDy
made 4 preacher in spite cf his modest rjtfs'
ta,ions of urworthiness.
WIKI all the chances he had. Deacon Smith
had never been guilty or auy gallsptries toTstd
the lovely fenaes who adlnired him 50. but
that demou, cbarce, made 3 sinner aud mar
tyr of bin thus:
Ons dark night professional iuebriate was
driving wildly abCur The streets In sleigh, aud
10 preYent hlm from loSiog himself the deacon
got 10 the sleigh and took the teibs With tho
design of thkiug the p. /. home; but that home
being lhree miles Out 10 tue Country. the deaoou
stopped at tave!a to rct somebody e'S9 20
com pletn the charitable b kut 40 sooner did
he 70 Ia the house thau q Dce gOuDg Inau VINO
was engsgcd in ,lep birg his gir!, drove up, aud
leaving tbs otj CT Of lis affections 10 tae Veh!-
CO, went to geae drink; and as lbe same mo
meut be iccora,a saoke, aud taking the Ieos,
drove of to renew hiS spree. By this time tho
deacon had f,ci tu fl ID u volunteer SUBSTITUTE
10 take his piece, gud sa he Walkei ou! OF the
tavern mutterlrg son5ihoS eoout the hard
beartcduess Of msp, and got iuto The sclsh With
The girl. who was mr fl ID 10 in blaDkss ass as
the inebIi3te had been. "ll take you nome
myself, SAYS be 10 consolns tone; Sou II nod
Dice warm bed better tbsa Ildlos so1us tue
Ill, ~ II lrt,ln thnUpht
that he had oco right BY him. aud aWsy they
went, while the hears Of the fair one beat with
rapture at receiving su:h tender Vords from tho
prz,, the sogel of the tow1, as al the Vousn
regarded tho deacon. -
The Young female vas tii1kiog to herac!l.
"Jimmy"-tbat was her mic, souog msD-
"has gotten iul on that last 6riok, and the
deacon inst came to tske his place. HaIlelnlah
tu. aio't it nice !" saying which sac Iesi2uec
herself 10 her fate, hoping that it Houd take
her TO tho co! Of the world with the adole1
deacon. % aad on they rushed over the 500"
like tue wiud, the Eious Jchu drlvluC g. ralpht
for the inehriate's house thr.e miles ous 10 toe
couutry. But The proposed end OF that 1lie
was nevsr TO be- up they spcd aioog.a bll! aoa
down sgais tho bells making music on ths
sbarp, frosty air, aud the beatirg heart ct tbe
young female keeping time.
'Do you feel better nov q says tho deacon
kindly. :,
oh iodeed I'm SO happy; Indeed | sm.'
auswtred a sweet voice, uutl ID With blankets.
Great L,rG!" exclaimed the deacon, who
arc bus the surprise had caused him to let
20 The reins, and the sleigh went ever log
Hi.h fatalcras The next moment the dsa'
COO was uriotcn;ooailg embracing his lar com
psuion 10 sGow baok, aud the sleigh ana
horse were goGe.
Iu the meantime the Dice yOaog mau hid
gotten his driok, and eame back to fad his
sleigh and girl gone; wheu disbocal small
boy shrekeG out; ,,
"Shc dooe run away wi:h Deacon Smith.
Five hours later the toUu Of Davenport oame
pel NELL after the iuglt!vts, accoUpa2led by
officers, parents AID reporters, Qua OF whom
took down tbe story, while the .ormef iook up
the sir eud descoo.