Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-07-24
Deacon Grinders Experiment.

KIT is also first on the wood-shed.
Deacon Grinders Experiment,
II hope the children haven't been any
Trouble to you, Miss Peck e. said Deacon
Grinder, as his one-horsc chaisc drew up
on the green in front of Miss Philena
Peck's house,
Mrs. Peck hurried out, all smiles, to
greet the portly widowcr.
1.-THE little darlings?" cried ST. e effus-
lively. "Trouble. indeed E! Why, deacon
how you talk! It's a positive pleasure
to have 'em here. l should like to keep
them a week."
The deacon smiled and shook his head.
"That would be a little too much,"
SAID he. "Come children, jump into the
wagon"
And the three apple-checked little
Grinders 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 chill
dren! Remember, darlings, that the goose
berries will be ripe next week, and that
your own Peck will be only too happy
to sec you again."
The widow Clapp came hurrying out,
as the chaise ratified by, with tin pail in
rherhand. 49, .,>s:~er~ ...~.~
"Dear me, Deacon Grinder" said she,
"You are always in such hurry. Do
stop minute, can't you2 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?
I declare Josie is growing a perfect
beautyn'
Cut, tut, Mrs. Clapp!" said the dea-
con, bis face bcanaing all over with salts
faction. "Handsone is that handsome
does. That is my motto"
Sand nobody can't do handsomer than
my little Joe," sad Mrs Clapp. "And
there's Tommy grown as handsome as
never was, and Dolly the very picture of
you; drop in to tea some evening this
week. -. :>~,.'>@: - f.:
The deacon had hardly guided his old
horse around the :seornerr of the village
green when Miss Barbary Bowyer tripped
out of the millinery store.
II 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
remarks in prayer meeting. Monday
night, that 1 couldn't help setting myself
to work to think. what I could do for you,
! And here's a collar I've stitched for dear
Tommy, and a handkerchief I've en-
broidered for Josie, and a doll us I've took
the liberty to dress for Dorothy. Oh
don't thank me, pray. It amt nothin',
compared with the peace of mind I got
| listening to your precious femarks!''
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 Bly,.
"Pa," said Josie, who was Il shrewd
sallow-faced child Of eleven, "don't Miss
Poole love us as we'll as Miss Peck, and
Mrs. Clapp, and Miss Barbara .Bowy er?'
II hope so, my child" said the benign
deac0ns- "Why|do YOU ask the question:
! eBecause she never gives ,llssany thing, ,
said Josie.
'She ispooI, child-she is poor" SAID
the deacon, ,"But / am sure YOU all have
her good wishes"
I'D rather have honey" said Tommy
And ggoGseberries and dolls: added
httle~ Dorothy.
h. But when the deacon sat alone bv his
| hear,hstone that; evening, his sister, Miss
Mahala Ann Grinder, expressed herself or
the subject with great plainness and per
spicuity.
! eff you've, really made .up1your mind
to marry again, joshua said she.
| II think it would add to my domestic
felicity" said the deacon, serenity
"1n that case" said Mahala Ann, Il dc
hope you'll make a sensible choice, and
not allow yourself to be imposed upon by
q pack Of selfish widows and schemine
old maids" :; Z y f.'-'.t
SISTER" said the deacon mildly, "you
are severe"
#"No, I amt said, Miss Mahala Ann
IF you wasn't we'll to do IN. the world
and hadn't nice home and farm, and
money at interest, they wouldn't none OF
'em lsok twice at you.''
2 stDo you think so2'' said the deacon
and he pondered the question long and
earnestly in, his own mind. Upon the
whole, nasaids he, bringing down his palm
upon the table, II amt sorry that those
Investments of mine. in the Maripcsa S1l
/ vcr Company have proved failure" i
+ "Whats do you mean" said Miss Mahala
Ann, curiously cycling him over the top OF
her spectacles.
But the deacon only shook his head
and smiled. 49,
"Time will show" said he, "time will
| show" ,9l,.< "l -
The news that Deacon Grinder was
wrecked in Mariposa Silver Mining stock
flew like wildirc through the peaceful
community at Fitchville Four Corners.
"Well,n said Miss Philena Peck, II am
beat!''5 / %s*t
HE never had no judgement in money
Matters said the widow Clapp.
give thought all long that he was
living too fast" said Barbara Bower.
.Those poor. little children, what is to
become of them2" said Naomi Poole,
wistfully. s.~n ~,,~.--
The next day the deacon made his an.
/ pearance at Miss Peek's homestead, pale
and rather shabby, with child in each
hand, and one folloW1ng him.
"Miss Peck" said he, III suppose you
have heard the news?''
eyes," saia Miss Peck, looking vinega,
and tack nails, g"If it's your, failure as
you mean" '>A'~ - :
~ think of going to California" said
! the deacon, Ito see what I can do. and If