Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-06-03
The Deacon Would a WaOing Go.


The sun had disappeared behind the
hills OF New Bethany, and the lingering
light on the mountain tops was changing
from rose to purple, when Deacon Pinch
stopped his melancholy old mare in
front of the village pOStOffice. 1t was
Saturday night, the only time when
New Bethany reused itself from its
lethargy and showed any signs of life
and energy. The rest of the week it
droWsed and languished after the fash
ion of small country towns remote from
railway and manufacturing centers.
whoa, Mary Jane" said the deacon
with unnecessary emphasis, throwing
the reins on the mares broad back and
Springing to the ground.
But the respondent Mary Jane had al
ready ceased her shambling gait from
sheer force of habit. \ ten years ser
vice with the deacon had made lier per-
fectiy familiar with the accustomed
round of stopping places. Wednesday
night it was the prayer meeting; Sun
day, the church service, and Saturday
night the postoffice, and. as late varia-
ton, an after panse at the house of Mrs.
Betsy Hill, the milliner, who for Il
quarter of century had supplied the
women of New bethany with head
gear fearfully and wonderfully made.
The moment the deacon stepped in
side the Office he knew, from the unuSu-
al buzz OF conversation, that something
extraordinary had happenc.i
Heard the news-eh, de5cjn?" asked
one of the village loungers.
The deacon looked up inqu.;;ngly.
Miss KeZia's had an amaZ;n' streak
Of luck
Its been nothin' but an amazin'
streak of luck ever since she was born, -
returned the deacon. If Ownin' the
best farm in town and heyin' money at
interest isn't luck, I'd like to know what
it is"
"Yes, but this is something out of
common. You used to know her broth
er, who died years ago and left his only
child for Miss Kezia to bring up? Wa'al,
when old man Mead died Miss Kezia
took the farm as her share of the prop
erty, and her brother. bein' Of rovin'
turn of mind, took the few thousand of
personal property as hiS'n and invested
'em in Western lands, which turned out
wuthless, and he lost every cent he put
in. Folks always blamed him for .bein'
so foolish and hasty, and they say greif
and modification haSteneds his death.
Wa'al, it turns out they hev put rail
road square thrO' the lands, and it's sent
real estate way up, nobody knows
where. Miss Kezia's been offered nigh
onto $4,000 for the lands, and they say
she'll get ever 80 much more if she only
holds on
you don't mean it?"
II dew; it's as true rs scripture"
She'll hold out, never fear" said the
deacon; land l hold it to be our bound
ed duty us neighborS to advise her to
that end"
Instead Of lingering as usual for the
village gOssip-fOr the New Bethany
postoflice on Saturday night answered
the purpose of a weekly paper-the
deacon seemed in a hurry to get home
1t was the night of the choir rehear-
sal, and in driving by the church he saw
Mary Mead, Miss Kezia's niece. going
up the steps. He suddenly whipped up
his sleepy old mare, and drove her at Il
break-neck rate of speed.
"Now's your time, Solomon Pinch"
he muttered to himself; it maybe long
while afore yell hev such good chance
ag'in. She'll be sure to be alone for
couple O hours or so-Hi, old lady! no
stoppin' here tonight" he added, giving
the lines a sudden twist as Mary Jane
showed an inclination to stop before
Mrs Betsy Hills house.
When he reached home he drove the
mare under the horse-shed and tied her
there, instead of embarrassing her as
usual. Then he entered the house, and,
hastily swallowing the scanty supper
which the hired woman had placed be-
fore him, donned his best clothes and
drove off again at rapid pace.
Law sakes alivew exclaimed the wo-
man, amazed. "The deacon's got suth-
in on his mind, sure! It's the first time
| ever knew him to diSremember to ask
a blesSin'.
Ever since the death of his wife Dea-
con Pinch had looked on Miss Kezia us
her probable successor. For years he
had gaZed with covetOus ewes on the fine
Mead farm with its substantial build
ings, but he never could screw his cOur-
age up to the point of facing the snap
ping black eyes of its owner. OF late
he had been seen several times knock
ing at the door of Mrs. Betsy Hills lit
tie brown house, and the worthy milli-
ner was overjoyed at the opening of the
brilliant prospect before her. But the
news of the sudden rise in Western
lands caused Mrs. Hill, with her small
possessions, to sink into insignifcance
by the side of the rich woman with her
well-tilled acres, her OYertlowing barns
lars.
The idea of failure in his matrimonial
venture never for an instant entered the
deacon's head. THE way afore ye is as
plain and straight as pipe stem, Solo
mon Pinch" he murmured, rubbing the
palms of his hands together, as he walk
ed toward Miss Kezia's side door. "Wo-
men is mostly alike-eager an willin' to
embrace matrimonial opportunities.