River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-08-07
DEACON GRINDERS EXPERT.
MENT.

AANif Aiit tiiAdlIu AAdfcn ltGu dLN 1
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 Peek hurried out, all smiles, to
greet the portly widower.
"The little darl:ngs! cried she, eff
fusely. Trouble. indeed Why, dea-
con how you talk It's a positive pleas
ure to have 'em here. l should like to
keep them a week.
The deacon smiled and shook his head.
THAT would be a little to much" said
he. Come, children, jump into the
wagon"
And the three apple-cheeked little
Grinders two girls and boy we're
kissed and Rugged, and lifted INTO the
wagon by the beaming spmster.
IL shall be so lonely when they are
gone,' she said. l do so dote on chill
dren2 Remember, darlings, that the goose
berries will be ripe next week, and your
own Peck will be only too happy to see
you again"
The widow Clapp came hurrying out
as 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
clare Josie is growing a perfect beauty!'
Tut, tut, Mrs. Clappl' 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
as you; drop into tea some evening this
week"
The deacon had hardly guided his old
horse arc md the corner of the village
green when Miss Barbara Bowyer tripped
out of the millinery store
~ do hope you'll excuse me, Deacon
Grinder said she, with all the pretty
confusion which naturally belong 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 l 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 amt nothing
| compared with the peace Of mind ] got Ia
! listening to your precious remarks :"
| But Naomi Poole, sitting at her needle
/ work, by the Old red farm house window,
| had only smile and a nod for the party
as they drove by.
"Pa," said Josie, who was shrewd,
sallow-faced child of eleven, don't Miss
Poole love us as we'll as Miss Peck and
Mrs. Clapp and Miss Barbara Bowyers'
~ hope so, my child" said the be-
nign deacon, "Why do you ask the
question:
because she never gives us anything,
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 dolls added
little Dorothy.
But when the deacon sat alone 10y his
hearthstone that evening, his sister, Miss
Mahala Ann Grinder, expressed herself
on the subject 18th great plainness and
perspicacity.
"lf you've really made up your mind
to marry again Joshua" said She
II think it would add to my domestic |
felicity" said the deacon, serenely.
"In that case" said Miss Mahaia Ann,
Il do hope you'll make sensible choice, |
and not allow yourself to be impose up |
on by pack of selfish widows and schem-
ing old maids
"Sister," said the deacon, mildly "you
are severe
"No, 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"
"Do you think so2" said the deacon,
and he pondered the question long aud
earnestly in his own mind. "Upon the
whole, said he, bringing down his palm
upon the table, II amt sorry those in
vcstments Of mine in the Mariposa silver
mining company have proved a failure"
"What do you meant" said Miss Ma
hala Ann, curiously cycling him over the
top of her spectacles.
But the deacon only shook his head
and smiled.
"Tlme will show, said he, "time will
show"
The news that Deacon Grinder was ruin {
ed in Mariposa silver mining stock flew
hike wildfire through the peaceful com
munity at Fitchyille Four Corners.
''Well, . said Miss Philena Peck, 81 am
beat"
"He never had no judgment IN money
said the widow Clapp.
I've thought all along that he was liv- {
ing too fast, . said Barbara Bowyer
'Those poor little children. what is TO &
become of them?" said Naomi Poole,
d
The next day the deacon made his APP
Dearance at Miss Peck's homestead, pale
md rather shabby, with child in each q
land and one following him. i
"Miss Peck" said he, II suppose you b
nave heard the news2"
eyes" said Miss Peck, looking vinegar )
md tack nails. "If it's your failure you c
mean"
Il think of going to California" said
he deacon, Ito see what can do, and if, t'
n the mean time, you could be induced
o give my children a home" "
30, dear non' said Miss Peck. never u
ould get a long with pack OF children h
dare say you can find some orphan
Lsylum or place of that sort, by inquir-
ng around little" Icl
Miss Peck sat very upright, an glared 81
0 frIghtfully out Of her light blue eyes al
t the deacon, that he was fain to beat al
etreat as soon as possible. "
He knocked next at the Widow Clapp's "
oor A sllpshod seryant-maid opened /
t. II
''Is Mrs CIapp at homer he asked. al
A head was thrust over the stair railing, CT
nd the widows shrill voice cried out: -
ats that Josiah Grinder with his 81
warm of young ones Tell him | am oI
articular engaged. Do you hear, Betsey III
particular. Sc
Miss Barbara Bowyer was arranging VI
-immed hats and rolls of brigllt-colored
bbon in her bow-window as the deacon W
nd the little ones entered the shop.
Miss Bower said the deacon, ''you dI
ere ever genial and charitable soul. XII
/ il to You that trust to make home ar
y nv notherless little Ones while | enc 60
eayor to retraye my lost fortunes in the &c
q