The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-12-01

don't come brother Skeels ridin do~n Ia
road in bsgeyl And as sure As liv
and breathe. he's all dressed up.
At this exclamation from Marie. Betse
banged her nai-iron down on The inscrts'
saucer on her irouing table, With fore
that nearly broke il, and with three stride
reached the kitchen porch, and putin
her big brawy band up TO shield her eye
from tbs glare OF the hot snn, gazed dow
tbS dusty road. rumbling along whicl
there came riekety chaise, drawn by
placid looking old mare whose gait said a
words | have done with the yanitiss 0
tho world. It's all well enough for colt
10 take 10 fancy PAGES, and affect skittisl
ways. but for mare Of my years. suel
conduct would be highly unbecoming
And sure enough, seated within the Graz!
vehicle. SGT Deacon Skeels. arrayed in hi
black bombazine sack coat. white home
spun linen pantAloous, and tall whit
hat, ornamented with pathetic Grape
band which almost concealed the crown
This WAS dress OF state. ~ it were. will
the Deacon, and WAS seldom donned eXcep
on Sundays. funeral occasions, and at ths
time OF the camp-meetings gs-tbe hat banc
having been purchased especially for thu
funeral OF the Deaoons wife, who had pas
sed into the spiritual world three months
previous 10 the opening Of our story. Sc
it was little wonder that Maria should ex
press astonishment ut seeing this reckless
display on week day, aud that too. when
there was nothing Of unusual interest go
ing on in the neighborhood.
The Deacon. however, evidently had
some scheme in his mind, and clucked at
the old mare, impatiently, jerking ener.
geticslly at the reins, in the vain endeavor
10 urge her to a pace more in accordance
with his feelings. But the beast was not 10
be nagged out Of her accustomed dignity,
and switched her tail deliberately. and
vent along in her own way.
My sakes alive. Betsey he's comm
}, ,rel
Well you needn't go spillin the butter
milk an things over the clean floor, Maria,
aid Letsey seyerly.
Betsev hal no more nonsense and
discouraged any afiectation Of
,ss or sentiment on the part OF
he more sprightly Maria
Like enough he's drove around to git
omc flowers 70 put on Mrs. Skeels grave,
.dded she srcasiically. You lie down
here, Tiger, and keep quiet.
But Maria, who still had hope, and saw
possible husband in every single man
he met, quite resented this explanation Of
he Deacon's unexpected visit in holiday
.ttire, and remarked with some asperity:
les as though man ought to mourn ever
astin' for poor. weak, little thing like
ler; she want no companion for him no
xay. Such q man as the Deacon deserves
. real likely partner.
Now Maria had unconsciously expressed
The Deacon's own views about mournin
,verlastin', and likewise as to his tlcsery
ng likely companion. Healways spoke
II his wife's death as u visitation OF heaven.
o which he must submit-his friends
thought it cheerful submission and
argued with himself that it would be SIN
Iul to murmur at the ways OF Providence;
md that very morning, while standing in
,he door of his tin.shop in tho village,
watching the sunlight play over the tin
boiler aud coffee pot which hung over the
loor as signs. he determined to show his
,ntire and cheerful submission TO wise
by wiping way oil metaphorical
ears from his eyes and take unto himself
mother helpmate. Why live alone in
moody discomfort? II was plainly his own
uty to cL eer up and make the best Of
hings.
Acting upon this purely vain motive,
minated by the most exalted faith, the
Iorthy Deacon, leaving all business cares
chind, and entrurting the little shop for
be time to the keeping of his youthful as
lsiant. proceeded ut once TO dress him
ELF carefully, arranging his rather thin
,cks before small piece Of looking glass
'hich hung over a washbench by the
itchen door, and litching the old mare to
10 rickety buggy that stood under shed
the back OF the house, set out, having
ster Maria Parrat in his minds eye, M
eing in every way calculated to comfort
orroviug widower, and to bring JOY once
lore 10 his kitchen hearth.
And here he comes with the ambling
Id mare and the rattling old chaise max.
,g their dusty way up tho pike toward
square Parrat's homestead, where the
square aud his two maiden sisters lived in
eaceful retirement. By dint Of much
oaxing and maneuvering, the Deacon
ersuaded the old marc TO draw up under
10 locust tree beside the Squares front
Ate, snd submit TO be tied with piece Of
,pe which he took from under the seat,
Though II was very evident that the
'are's heart was not in this business, and
ie had no sympathy with the Deacon's
,nduct She had given up all nonsense
ing ago, and clearly thought it time for
er master to do so. too for shs switched
er tail impatiently, and made an effort 10
ontinue the journey as far as Farmer
miley's. where she had been accustomed,
n years. TO convey tho Deacon whenever
er corn bin at home needed replenisldng.
ioing for corn. she thought business wor-
,y her me.ile, but this leaving tin. shop
nd trotting about in tho hotsun TO visit
sntimental old ladies. was only deserving
the severcst censure.
However, the Deacon was firm, and A.