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

she only holds on"
"You don't mean it ?"

she only holds on.''
s'You don't mean it p
81 dew; it's as true as scripture.
ssShe'll hold out. never fear," said the
deacon; and I hold it to be our bounden
duty as nelghbors to advise her to thaG
end.''
Instead Of lingering as usual for the vii
lage gossip-for New Bethnay post-ofhca
on Saturday night answered the purpose
of a weekly paper-the deacon seemed ID
great hurry to get home.
It was the night of the choir rehearsal,
and in driving by the church he saw Mary
Meade, Miss Keziah s niece, going up the
steps. He suddenly whipped up his sleepy
old mare and drove home at breakneck
rate of speed.
"Now's your time, Solomon Pinch, ne
muttered to himself. Sits mebbe long
while afore yell hey such good chance
ag n She'll be sure to be alone for
couple of hours or so.-Hi, old lady no
stoppln' here tonight" he added, giving
the lines sudden twist as Mary Jane
showed an inclination to stop before Mrs. :
Betsy Hills home; we've other fish to fry
now. old girl
When he reached home he had drovethe
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 placed before him.
donned his best clothes and drove off
again at rapid pace.
claw sakes alive!'' exclaimed the VIC
man, amazed. ssThe deacon's got sum-
thin on his mind, sure! It's the first time
I ever knew him to disremember to ask a
blessin'."
Ever since the death Of his wife Deacon
Pinch had looked on Miss Keziah as her
probable successor. For years he had
gazed with covetous eyes on the fine Mead
farm with its substantial buildings, but
he never could screw his courage up to the
point of facing the swapping black eyes OF
it's owner. Of late he had been seen several
times knocking at the door of Mrs. Betsy
Hills little brown house, and the worthy
milliner 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 lnsignificance by
| the side Of the rich woman with her we'll
titled acres. her OVERLOOKING barns, and
her prospective thousands of dollars.
The idea of failure in his matrimonial
venture never for an instant entered the
deacon's head. ssThe way afore ye IS as
plain and straight as pipe stem, Solomon
Pinch,'' he murmured, rubbing the palms
of his hands together, as he walked to-
wards Miss Keziah's side door. women
mostly are alike-eager an willin' to en-
brace matrimonial opportunities. They'll
| snap an offer like hungry trout at worm.
She has got the money, and hev' got the
prominence and influence; that's pint
not to be overlooked; and deacons isn't to
be had every day. Put her money and nay
influence together, and rather guess well
stand about top o. the heap in New Beth
any"
Miss Keziah vas sitting by the table
knitting as usual. She had just begun t6
narrow for the toe of the stocking ano
opened the door, and holding the lamp
high above her head her eyes rested upor
the amazing spectacle of the deacon IN al
the Sunday magnificence OF white shlr1
and shiny black broadclotb. swell,
neverp' she calculated, and then, feeling
that her reception had been hardly hosp!
table. she lowered the lamp and salt
kindly:
sCome in, deacon-come in"
.sThank We, thank We; 1 don't mind if
dew"
ssTake seat, Deacon
.sThank ye; 1 don't mind if dew
The deacon surveyed the attractlv
room, which. with it's CHEEKY fire and com
Portable cushioned chairs, seemed a YER
table paradise in comparison with his un
!. tidy, ill-kept home. lie placed his hat O
the floor beside his chair, displaying hi
; scanty gray locks ingenioasly plastere
!. over the top of his head so as to cover a
y much of the bald surface as possible. The
:. there was long pause.
, Anything going on, deacon?" aske
Miss Keziah, resuming her knitting. Sh
L was greatly puzzled to account for thos
= Sunday clothes.
. "NoJhin' within the range Of my obse
' walton. The won't be much agoin' o
L now till lection time; things'n be prett
= lively them"
."Want to buy any hay this year?' cbirl
ed Miss Keziah. ''Mine is extra good tn
q season, my hired man says it's the be-
L harvest yield in town."
e 81 rayther guess I'll hev' enough t
y carry me thro' the winter. If | don't
i shall know where to come for hay as is ha!
IS [ declare your farm does beat all l fet
+ kind O. rugged like when think the bes
II farm in town is managed by woman"
d ooh, don't mind it; it keeps me pr
y per busy"
a The deacon hitched his chair along
W few inches farther. Eyed oughter he'
a brother or cousin, or some relative llk
to share the burden with ye."
" 'sMy shoulders are plenty strong" r
r. turned Miss Keziah, good naturally. III
glad to show folks that there are wome
n who are good for something besides gidd
giddying and tattling."
'Yis, yis;" answered the deacon, Nv
X can testify to your valley and worth.
You're-you're bright and shinln' bes
* con light to the trifiin' and vain-minde
ID women of the world" and the speak
in waved his hand at the conclusion of tn
It little oratorical flourish. :.
Then hitch, hitch, hitch went the cha