The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-01-02
A Shrewd WidOwer.

| A Shrewd WidOwer.
Deacon Grinder was o portly widower.-
He was the surviving parent ofthree spright-
| ly children, and regarded as in possession of
| considerable property The ''little darlings."
as they were styled, met with lavish express
| sions of admiration in the presence of the
deacon from q number of ancient maiden la
dies and widows Miss Philena Peck had
taken care of them during his temporary alb
sence, and declared that she fairly dotted on
children, and hoped the deacon would let
them come again. The Widow Clapp, as he
was driving by, hurried out with pail of
honey in the comb, all of which she said was
just the thing for the little dears. Deacon"
said she, "when are they coming to spend
| the day with me?" AS the deacon reached
| the village green, out of q millinery store
| tripped Miss Barbara Bowper. She COM
menced to flatter the widower for his "be-yu-
| tiful remarks" in prayer meeting few eve
nings before, and then wound up by present
| ing Tommy with collar, Josie with q hand
kerchief, and Dorothy with doll. "Oh !!
don't thank me- Deacon" she said. at amt
nothing compared with the peace of mind
got a listening to your precious remarks. On
| drove the fattered father. As he passed
| Naomi Poole's house she was sitting by the
| window, and modestly but pleasantly smiled
and nodded to the party as they drove by.
In the evening, as the Deacon sat alone ut
| the hearthstone with his sister Mahala Ann,
| the latter commenced to question him if he
| meant to marry again. He replied he
| thought it would add to his domestic felicity.
| Mahala replied: "In that case | do hope
you'll make sensible choice, and not allow
yourself to be imposed upon by pack of sell
fish widows and schemeing old maids" She
assured him it was only because he had a
| nice home and farm, and money at interest,
that they pretended to love him and his chill
| drep so much.
"Wel," he said, bringing down his palm
forcibly upon the table, Il amt sorry that
| those Investments of mine in the Marposa
Silver Mining Company have proved fail
ure.
"What do you mean ?" said Mahala Ann,
curiously cycling him over the top of her
spectacles.
But the deacon only shook his head and
smiled. thine will show said he, time
will show"
The news of his loss in Mariposa stock flew
about the community. Shortly after the dea-
con made his appearance, and told Miss Peck
he was about to go to California, and hoped
she could be induced to give his children
home.
90, dear, no." said Miss Peck. 81 never
S'uNt SNo aiohS5 WIN u pawn Va
dare say you can find some orphan asylum
or place of that sort, by inquiring around
little"
Miss Peck sat so very upright, and glared
SO frightfully 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.
as Mrs. Clapp at home" he asked.
A head was thrust over the stair railing
and the widows shrill voice cried out:
"It's that Josiah Grinder with his swarm
of young ones Tell him am particularly
engaged. Do you hear, Betsey-particuar
lyn
He then called at Barbara Bowpcr's mlli-
merry store, and said to her;
Miss Bowper, you were ever a genial and
charitable soul. 1t is to you that trust to
make home for my mothcrless little Ones
while endeavor to retrieve my lost fortune
in the far West"
81 couldn't think ofsuch thing" and Miss
Barbara, dropping box ofartificial rOsebuds
in her CONSERVATION. "And / really think
Deacon Grinder, you haven't no business to
expect It of me, It's all ] can do to support
myself, let alone pack of unruly children
| dare say the poor master could do some
thing for them, Or"
81 thank you" said the Deacon, with dig
llllN Sluil tiouDlC NDu IOI MIN.
"Well," said Miss Bowper, with toss of
the head, you needn't fly into a rage because
neighbor offers you bit of advicc~
Naomi Poole ran out of the little garden
gate as the forlorn deacon went 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 California? ?" 81
am talking of it," said the deacon.
"Would-could you let me take care of the
little ones while you are gomez said Naomi,
tenderly drawing little Dolly to her side =
"You have been so kind to mother and me,
Deacon Grinder, that We should feel it n
privilege to be able to do something for
you"
And poor, soft hearted little Naomi burst
out crying. There was moisture on the dea-
cons eyelashes, too.
God bless you, Naomip' said he "You
are good girl-a very good girl" y
"Ain't it true ?" said Phlcna Peck.
"Wel said Mrs. Mopsley, "it is, and it amt.
He did lose what he invested in them Mari
posa mines, but it was only 81 900 and the
rest of his moneys all tight and safe in Unit
ed States bonds and solid real estate"
"Bless me !" said Barbara Bowpcr
swell, | never?" said the Widow Clamp,
with discounted countenance.
And" went on Mrs. Mopsley, with evil
dent relish in the CONSERVATION she was caus-
ing, "they are building new wing to the
house, and he is to be married to Naomi
Poole in the fall"
"a child like that p said Mrs. Clapp.
with no experience whateverr' said Bar
bara Bowper, scornfuly.
81 hope he won't repent of his bargain"
said Miss Philena Peck.
And Miss Philena's charitable hopes were
fulfilled. The deacon never did repent of his
bargain.