Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-06-23
"He never had no judgment in money

to become OF them u said Naomi Poole,
wistfully.
The next day the deacon made his
appearance at Miss Peck's homestead,
pale and rather shabby, with child in
each hand, and one following him.
"Miss Peck said he, 81 suppose you
have heard the news %
"Yes." said Miss Peck, looking vine-
gar and tack nails. "If it's your failure
as you mean"
81 think of going to California" said
the deacon, "to see what can do, and
if, in the meantime, you could be induc-.
ed to give my children home"
"Oh, dear, no!' said Miss Peck. 81
never could get along with a pack of
children l dare say you could find
some half orphan asylum or place of that
sort, by inquiring around little"
Miss Peck sat so very upright. and
glared so frightfully out of light blue
eyes at the deacon, that he was fain to
beat retreat as soon as possible.
He knocked next at the Widow Clapp's
door. A slipshod servant maid opened
it,
sis Mrs. Clapp at home ?" asked the
deacon.
A head was thrust over the stair rail-
ing and the widows shrill voice cried
out:
"Is that Josiah Grinder with his swarm
of young ones? Tell him l am particu-
larly engaged. Do you hear, Betsey,
particular"
Miss Barbara Bowyer was arranging
trimmed hats and rolls of bright colored
ribbons in her bow window as the dea-
con and his little ones walked into the
millinery shop.
"Miss Bowyer," he said, "you were
ever genial and charitable soul. 1t is
to you that l trust to make home for
my motherless little one, while endeav-
or to retrieve my fortunes in the far
West"
81 couldn't think of such thing"
said Miss Barbara, dropping box of
artificial rose buds in her CONSERVATION.
"And l really think, Deacon Grinder,
you haven no business to expect it of
me !! 1t is all L can do to support myself,
let alone pack of unruly children l
dare say the poor master could do some
thing for them, Or"
81 thank you," said the deacon, with
dignity. 81 shall trouble neither you
nor him."
"Well," said Miss Bowyer. with
toss of her head, "you needn't fly into
rage because neighbor offers you bit
of good advice p'
But Naomi Poole ran out to the little
garden gate, as the forlorn deacon pass
ed by.
Deacon Grinder" hesitated she,
turning rose. red and white by turns, sis
this true %
"About my Mariposa investment ?
Yes"
"And that you are going to Califor-
MIA ?"
81 am talking about il" said the
deacon.
"Would-could you let me take care
of the little ones while you are gone?''
said Naomi. tenderly drawing little Dol
ly to her side. 81 am very fond of chill
dren, and | would take the best care of
them. And you have been SO kind to
mother and me, Deacon Grinder, that
we should feel it privilege to be able
to do something for you"
And poor, soft-hearted little Naomi
burst out crying.
There was moisture on the deacon's
eyelashes, too.
"God bless you, Naomi!" said he.
"You are good girl-a very good girl.
- - - = . - -
"Ain't it true ?" said Philena Peck.
"Well," said Mrs. Mopsley, ''it is
and it amt He did lose what he in
vested in them Mariposa mines, but it
was only thousand dollars; and the
rest of his moneys all tight and safe in
United States bonds and solid real es-
tate"
".Bless me" said Barbara Bowyer.
We'll l never'' said Widow Clapp,
with discomforted countenance.
And" went on Mrs. Mopsley, with
evident relish in the CONSERVATION she
was causing, ''they are building new
wing to the house, and he is to be mar
ried to Naomi Poole in the fall
"a child like that !" said Mrs. Clapp.
"With no experience whatever u said
Barbara Bowyer, SC ornfully.
81 only hope he " ont repent of his
bargain, sighed Miss Philena Peck.
And Miss Philena's charitable hopes
were fulfilled. The dea con never did
repent his bargain.
|
"What are you looking fpr?" asked
one Of the Widow Bedott's two daugh-
ters, who were entertaining their young
men on the piazza rather late one night
of their mother. who seemed to be hunt
ing for something around the front y ard.