The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-08-14
DEACON GRINDERS EN-
PERTINENT.
BY 4. d W.

any 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 darlinesl" cried she, ef-
fusively. Trouble, indeedl Why,
Deacon, how you talk! It's a posi-
tive pleasure to have 'em here. 1
should like to keep them a week."
The deacon smiled and shook his
head.
THAT would be little too much"
said he "Come, children jump into
the wagon"
And the three apple checked little
Griuders-two girls and a boy--were
kissed and hugged, and lifted into
the wagon by the beaming spinster.
Il shall he so lonely when they are
gone," she said. Il do so dote on
children! r member, darlings, that
the gooseberries will be ripe next
week, and your owl Peck will be
only too happy to see you again"
The Widow Clapp came hurrylng
out as the chaise ratified by. with a
tin pail in her hand.
"Dear me, Deacon Grinder" said
she, you are alw Us in IA hurry. Do
stop u minute, can't you? Here's a
pail OF our new honey in the comb. /
know the darlings will like 1t on their
bread and butter OF an evening
When are they coming to spend the
day with me? l declare, Josie Is
growing perfect beanty!"
"rut, tut, Mrs. Clapp!' said the
deacon. his face shining all over with
satisfaction. Handsome Is "a hand
some does. That's my MOTTO"
"And anybody cant do handsomer
than my little Joe." said Mrs Clapp.
And there's Tommy grown as hand
some as you; drop in to tea some
evening this week"
The deaton had hardly guided his
old horse around the corner CT the
village green when Mrs. Barbara
Bowyer tripped out OF the millinery
store.
Il do hope you'll excuse me. Dea-
con Grinder" said she, with all the
pretty confusion which naturally be-
longs to a maiden OF and thirty
summers, "but was so edited with
your be-yu tiful remarks 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 Tommy.
and handkerchief I've embroidered
for Josie, and a doll I've taken the
liberty TO dress for Dorothy. o, don't
thank me, pray. 1t aiu't nothing
compared to the peace OF mind 1 got
listening to your precious remarks v
But Naomi Poole, sitting at her
needle work. by the old red farm
house window, had only a smile and
a nod for the party as they drive by.
pa" said Josie, who was a shire wd,
sallow-f faced child OF eleven years,
"don't Mis-, Poole love us as we'll as
Miss Peck and Mrs. Clapp and Miss
Barbara Bowyer?"
Il hope so, my child" said the be-
nign 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"
"l'd rather have honey" said Tom
my.
~And gooseberries and dolls" ad.
ded little Dorothy.
But when the deacon sat alone by
his hearthstone that evening, his sis
ter, Miss Mahala Ann Grinder, ex-
pressed herself on the subject with
great plainness AMI persplcacity.
~If you've really made up your
mind to marry again. SAIL she--
Think 1t would add to my domes-
tic felicity" said the deacon, serene.
ly.
In that case" said Miss Mahala
Ann, Il do hope you'll make sensi.
BILE choice, and not allow yourself to
be imposed upon by pack Of selfish
widows and scheming old maids"
Sister, said the deacon, mildly
you are severe"
mo / amt" said Mahala Ann. I'll
you wasn't well-to-do in the world
and hadn't a nice home and farm and
money at interest. they wouldn't none
OF them look twice at you"
"Do you think so?' said the dea
con, and he pondered the question
long and earnestly in his own mind
"Upon the WHOLE" said he. bringing
down his palm uDoD the table, Il ain
sorry that those investments Of min,
In the Maripoea Silver Mining Com