The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-08-05
DEACON GRINDERS EXPERIMENT.
BY e. b. W.

tTlnQeT, as HIS oue-HoIse cHalsc uieW w vi
the green in front of Miss Pilena Pecks
house.
Miss Peck hurried out, all smiles, to
greet the purtly widower.
"The little darlingsl" cried she efusively
Trouble, indeed Why, deacon, how you
talk! It's positive pleasure to have 'em
here. l should like to keep them week"
The deacon smiled and shook his head.
THAT would be little too much" said
he Come children, jump into the wag-
on"
And the three apple-cheeked little Grin
ders-two girls and a boy--were kissed and
Rugged, and lifted into the wagon by the
beaming spinster
II shall be so lonely when they are
gone" she said. II do so dote on children
Remember, darling, that the gooscberries
will be ripe next week, and your own Peck
will be only too happy to see yau again
them
The Widow Clapp came hurrying out as
the chaise ratified by, with tin pail in her
hand.
"Dear me, Deacon Grinder" she said.
you are always in hurry. Do stop a
minute, can't your Here's pail of our
new honey in the comb. know the dar-
lings will like it on their bread an butter
of an evening. When are they coming to
spend the day with me?
declare, Josie is growing to be a'perfect
beauty"
Tut, tut, Mrs. Clappm said the deacon,
his face shining all over with satisfaction.
Handsome is that handsome does. That's
my motto
"And nobody can't do handsomer than
my little joe" said Mrs Clapp. "And
there's Tommy grown as handsome as 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 Mrs. Barbara Bowyer tripped out of
the millinery store.
II do hope you'll excuse me, Deacon
Grinder" said she, with all the pretty con-
fusion which naturally belongs to a maiden
Of six-and-thirty summers, "but l was so
edited with your be-yu-tiful remarks in
prayer-meeting Monday night, that could
not help setting myself TO work TO think
what / could do tor you. And here's
collar I've stitched for dear Tommy, and
handkerchief I've embroidered for Josie.
and doll I've taken the liberty to dress
for Dorothy. 0, don't thank me- pray. 1t
amt nothing compared to the pace of mind
| got listening your to precious remarks
But Naomia Poole, sitting at her needle |
work, by the old red farmhouse window.
had only smile and q nod for the party AZ |
they drove by.
Pa" said Josie, who was a shrewd.
sallow-faced child of eleven, don't Miss
Poole love US as well as Miss Peck and
Mrs. Clapp and Miss Barbara Bowyer2"
II hope SO, my child" said the benign
deacon. why do you ask the question:"
Because she never gives US any thing"
said Josie.
She is poor, child-she is poor, said the
deacon. But / am sure you all have her
good wishes
I'D rather have honey" said Tommy.
And gooseberries and DOLL" added little
Dorothy
But when the deacon sat alone by his
hearthstone that evening, his sister Miss |
Mahala Ann Grinder, expressed herself on
the subject with great plainness and per.
spicacity.
IF you've really make up your mind to
marry again. she said
~ think it would add to my
domestic facility" 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 scheminp
old maids
Sister" said the deacon, mildly, "you
are severe"
mo, amt" SAID Mahala Ann. "If
you wasn't well to do in the world. and
hadn't nice home and farm and money
at interest, they wouldn't none of them look
twice at YOU
"De you think so2' said the deacon, and
he pondered the question long and earnest
ly in his own mind. Upon the whole"
said he, bringing down his palm upon the
table, ~ amt sorry that those investments
of mine in the Mariposa Silver Mining
Company have been failure"
"What do you meant" said Miss Mahaa
Ann, curlously eyeing him over the top OF
her spectac,es.
But the deacon only shook his head and
smiled.
Time will show" said he, "time will
show"
The news that Deacon Grinder was wreck.
ed in Mariposa silver mining stock flew
like wild fire through the peaceful commu.
nifty at Fitchvile -Four Corners.
"Well,' sand Miss Philena Peck, ~ am
beat"
He never I'D no Judgment in money
matters" said the Widow Clapp.
i've thought all along that he was living
too fast" said Barbara Bowycr
Those poor little children, what is to
become of theml" said Naomi Poole, wist.
fully.
The next day the deacon made his m.
pearance at Miss Pecks homestead, palc
and rather shabby, with child in each
hand and one following him.
Miss Peck" said he, ~ suppose Won
have heard the newsl"
Yes" said Miss Peck, looking vinegar
and tack nails. If it's your failure as Won