The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-21

dred dollars isn't to be shook off ev'ry
bush. Push it, and I'll back YOU
But Mis- Thatcher only answered,
IF Ben Halsey's cheated me he
knows it, and ought to make restitu-
ton; and when it come to vengeance,
that rests in stronger hands than mine.
"Well, now, that was the Christian
way of looking at it, Desire. wouldn't
have taken vengeance into my own
hands, still can't bear to csc woman
misused; besides, thought there might
come time, Desire 1.-THE Deacon's
voice dropped to tender cadence,
while he reached out his hand and
gently touched the gay chintz covering
of-the chair in which Desire was sit
ting" there might come time, De-
sire, when you'd be left alone and need
somebody to stand between you and
the extortioners of the world. So, as
l remarked before, 1 felt moved to la
Dor with Ben. l think 1 had freedom
in speaking, and I'm certain told him
the truth. Of course, though, he fired
up the first thing, and had over some
thing about folks minding their own
business. And look here Deacon Wise
man, he cried, you talk about peoples
rights; don't it strike you that have
rights, and that you're rather interior
ing with themP'
&c No, Ben,' replied l, for no man
has right to do what is wrong, and no
other man has right to stand by con-
senting while he does it. In this can
say as 1 have read, that Lord Bacon
once said, in concluding one of his great
speeches in the House of Commons: 81
have told you my opinion. l know it
had been more safe to have been silent,
but it is more honest and loving to
speak. When man speaketh he may be
wounded by others. But as he holds
his peace from good things he wound
eth himself"
"'Lord Bacon be hanged said Ben,
and started off in huff.
"'Take it kindly, Ben,' called after
him. Remember I'm an old man, and
your dead father and l was boys to-
gether.' But he didn't look around,
only muttered word or two that /
couldn't quite catch, and walked on the
faster
Whether what I'd done would
amount to anything or not l didn't
know; but just now, when was COM
ing up the hill, somebody jumped over
the fence from the eastside lot and said,
as pleasant as you please: 'Halloa,
Deaconr 1t was Ben, and then he went
on: Cant you speak to fellow that
don't devour widows houses? We've
been over that lot again, and l guess
there was mistake Che looked kinder
shame-faced over the word. yet couldn't
exactly own up. you see, to its having
been mistake made a-purpose) and l
guess there was mistake said he, in
the first measuring. for we've got it
forty acres this time, and I'm on my
way home from paying hundred dol
lars more to Mistress Harriet Thatch-
err
"' God bless you, Benz said 1, and
surely he will
"Pm glad 1 had the courage to
speak, Desire. Justice has been ex-
allied, and, oh! I'm glad, so glad of
that"
But Deacon Wiseman shall not be
canonized on his own testimony alone.
Let us establish his right to such high
honor at the mouth of two or three wit
nesses.
A couple of Deacon Wiseman's towns
men CHANGING to meet, some time after
the event recorded, and talking of this
and that, one observed to the other,
"Well, Deacon Wiseman did a nice
thing the other day."
How SOP" queried his companion.
Haven't you heardP Why, Parker
and Stevens disagreed over something
pertaining to the new library building.
1t wasn't anything to speak of in the
beginning, only slight difference of
opinion; but you know Parker is rather
hot-headed, and he made some pretty
aggravating remarks. Stevens don't
lack for spirit, either, and showed
proper resentment, you may be sure.
So the thing kept growing; they both
getting madden and talking sharper
every moment. What made it worse
was there were good many by to see
and hear, the most of them the kind
that wouldn't make allowances. Parker
was belittling and really disgracing
himself, when up steps Deacon WISE
man, who had been spectator of the
whole, touches Parker on the shoulder
and says, This way moment, if you
please, Mr.. Parker They went out
together, returning presently. don't
know what the Deacon said to him dur
ing their absence, but as they were en-
tering the building again, overheard
him softly repeating, Behold, how
great matter little fire kindleth.
The tongue is fire, a world of iniqui-
ty,'" earnestly adding, Remember,
Mr.. Parker, that you are professor of
religion, or remember, at least, that
you're gentleman Any way Parker
was quite softened down, and immedi-
ately acknowledged himself to blame,
and begged pardon of Stevens in pres
ence of us all. MY good friend, the
Deacon said he, turning toward Dea-
con Wiseman, has shown me the truth
of this matter, and thank him for it.
Another time trust shall not be so
foolish as to let my quick temper run
away with my prudence or temper
ance-they are about the same thing,
for there is intemperance otherwise
than in drink And at this the Deacon
looked as happy as if told that he had
fallen heir to an estate"
Yet again.
Into home where "hard tines in
the train of a ruinous business failure