The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-22
DEACON GRINDERS EXPERIMENT.

trouble to YOU, Miss Peck?" said Deacon
Grinder, as his one-horse chaise drew up
on the green in front of Miss Philena
Peck's house.
Miss Peck hurried out, all smiles, to
greet the portly widower.
"The little darlingsl" cried she, elusive
S, "Trouble, indeed Why, Deacon,
how you talk! It's positive pleasure to
have 'en 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 little Grind
ers-two girls and boy-were kissed
and hugged, and lifted into the wagon by
the beaming spinster.
n shall be SO lonely when they are
ZONE" she said ~ do SO dote on children!
Remember, darlings, that gooseberries
will be ripe next week, and your own Peck
will be only too glad to see you again"
The Widow Clapp came hurrying out
Is the chaise ratified by, with tin pail in
her hand.
"Dear me, Deacon Grinder" said she,
~you are always in such a hurry. Do
stop minute, can't you' Here's pail
Of our new honey in the comb. / know
the darlings will like it on their bread and
butter of an evening. When are they
coming to spend the day with me? de-
slare, Josie is growing perfect beauty"
"Tut, tut, Mrs. Clapp!" said the deacon,
dis face shining all over with satisfaction,
Handsome is that handsome does. That
b my motto"
"And nobody can't do handsomer than
my little Josie" said Mrs. Clapp. "And
there's Tommy grown as handsome as
you; drop in to tea some evening this
~ek."
The Deacon had hardly guided his old
Aorse around the corner of the village
green when Miss Barbara Bowper tripped
cut of the millinery store.
al do hope you'll excuse me, Deacon
Grinder said she, with all the pretty,
confusion which naturally belongs to a
maiden of six and thirty Summers, "but |
was SO edited with your be-yu-tiful re-
marks in prayer meeting Monday night,
that couldn't help setting myself to work
to think what could do for you. And
here's collar I've stitched for dear Tom.
my and handkerchief I've embroidered
for Josie, and doll I've taken the liberty
to dress for Dorothy. O, don't thank me
pray. 1t amt nothing compared with Tie
peace of mind got listening to youl
precious remarks"
But Naomi Poole, sitting at her needle
work, by the old red farm house window
had only smile and nod for the party
Is they drove by.
"Pa," said Josie, who was shrewd sal
tow-faced child Of eleven, "don't Mis-
Poole love us as we'll as Miss Peck anc
Mrs. Clapp and Miss Barbara Bowper?"
u hope 50, my child" said the benigl
Deacon. "Why do you ask the ques
4en?"
"Because she never gives us anything,
said Josie
"She is poor, chid--she is poor" sai'
the Deacon. "But am sure you all hav
her good wishes"
II would rather have money" sal
Tommy.
sand gooseberries and dolls," adde'
little Dorothy.
But when the Deacon sat alone by hi
Aearthstone that evening, his sister, Mis-
Mahala Ann Grinder, expressed herseI
with great perspicacity and plainness.
"1f you've really made up your, min
to marry again, joshua" said She
al think it would add to my domesti
Eelicity," said the Deacon, serenely.
ain that case" said Miss Mahala Anr
Il do hope you'll make sensible choic,
and not allow yourself to be imposed upo
by pack of selfish widows and schemin
old maids"
"Sister," said the Deacon, mildly, "yo
are severe"
"No, amt" said Mahala Ann. ~
seu wasn't wellto-do In the world. an
hadn't nice home and farm, and NOR
ey at interest," they wouldn't none Of ther
look twice at you."
"Do you think so7" said the Deacon
and he pondered the question long an
earnestly in his own mind. "Upon tn
whole said he, bringing down his pail
upon the table, ~ amt sorry that thOs
investments Of mine in the Mariposa 81
yer mining company have proved a fai
ure."
"What do you mean'" said Miss Nah
ia Ann, curiously eying him over the te
of her spectacles.
But the Deacon only shook his he;
and smiled.
"Time will show" said he, "time wi
show" -