Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-07-23

Keziah, with contemptuous sniff. II
shouldn't have expected that man of your
sense, deacon, would repeat such silly
trash. have no patience with the people
who are always talking as if women
couldn't stand alone. and needed propping
up like rag doll that hadn't any back
bone. Pm no vine-or such creeping help
less thing, can tell you. can stand
alone as well as any body if the Lord so
wills it; altho' admit, deacon, that its
pleasanter to have some one keep you COM
pany.''
'sThat's jest it; ye hev' hit the nail squar'
on the head! It's pleasanter to hev' COM
pany IN our sojourn on this mortal earth.'
The deacon seized his chair with both
hands, and by circuitous line Of hitching
placed it within three feet of Miss Kezi-
abs table. 'sYou're forehanded woman,
Miss Keziah; Pm man of prominence and
influence in the community; it seems to
me that it would be a good thing il we
could walk hand-in-hand thro' this vale OF
tears. Providence seems to pint its finger
that way. y The deacon was thinking at that
very moment of the money he would save
by a thrifty manager like Miss Keziah in
the place of his inefficient, wasteful
hired woman.
Miss Keziah was dumbfounded. She
dropped her knitting, and the ball Of yarn
rolled across the floor. "Mercyl7 she final
ly gasped.
ssI'll make ye first-rate husband. and
veil make me good wife. We've been
members of the same church for 80 year or
more, and we've been members of the spir-
itooal family, we'll now be members Of the
same human family
Miss Keziah Strengthened herself up in
her high backed chair and drew in her
chin, while her voice rang out shrill and
clear. "I rather guess it'll take two to
make that bargain"
A second look at her aged admirer, who
was edging up to her with a sheepish SIM
per, exasperated the old woman beyond
control.
1.-THE old fool'' she said wrathfully.
The color came into the deacon's thin
cheeks, and he started to his feet looking
anxiously toward the door, as if meditating
| hasty retreat. But the yarn was wound
around his boots and he was forced to re-
main.
Miss Kesiah likewise rose and folding her
hands primly in front of her, remarked
grimly: "When you first began your talk
ing hadn't the least idea what you were
driving at. thought you were limiting
about Betsy Hill, and wanted to~take me
into your confidence. I never dreamed
that you meant me. Why. supposed ev-
ery one in town knew that would'n mt give
my freedom for the best man living. Bet
sy Hill is pious, likely woman; she'll
make good home for you and she needs
good home herself"
The deacon was completely withered.
and Miss Kesiah continued: eff you'll
step around little livelier, deacon. and
pick up the stones on your lots and put
them into good fences, and NOW down
these peskY weeds, there's no earthly rea
son why your farm shouldn It look as vel
as mine. If I've said anything to hurt
your feelings. deacon, hope you'll over
look it, Why. you are all tangled up IL
that yarn; I'll untangle it,"
The delay of unwinding the yarn from
the deacon's feet gave Miss Keziah chance
for further remark: Zone word more dea
con: have you heard about the western
lands?"
The deacon wished he was anywhere GU
of the range of those merciless black eyes
"I-think I've heern tell suthin' abou
em, y he replied meekly. E
81 thought so thought so y exclaimed
Miss Keziah, savagely. ''Well, deacon
those lands rightfully belong to my neice
Mary; only hold them as her guardian.
The deacon began to look upon his re
lection as blessing in disguise, for with
: out the Western lands Miss Kesiah's at
fractions seemed tame compared wit
q those of the mild, blue-eyed, buxom Wild
: ow Hill. II can trust ye never to mentio
y this 20 he asked timidly.
IL shall not mention it. Now, folloN
my advice, deacon; make sure OF Bets
Hill before another week goes by. 70
have my good wishes. See to this
once"
''Thank ye. thank ye; don't mind if
dew"
The good woman followed her crest-fa
len visitor to the door. AS sudden gus
of cold night air put out the light, 81
said: "The air is swapping tonight; hav
; a frost, eh, deacon2 p
And the discounted deacon felt that b
~ had been nipped by something sharpe
than frost.-FTona Lippancott's Magician
II