South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-08-26
The Deaoon's Indian summer.

lows rs he had.
In his youth he had been one of
the rural handles Of the region and
the chief beau Of the town. driving
the fastest horses and leading off at
the village sports-whether balls
cuttings, weddings or sleigh. rides.
When about twenty-five years old
however, sudden blight had fallen
on his spirits, for which no one could
accotint.
He had danced half tue night IN
Wild glee ut a wedding, played games
OF all sorts, helped to serve the guests
from the bountifully-ladened tables
kissed the bride,gave her as a wedding
present. his best cow, with a white
heartshaped spot on her forehead. &
then went home full of glee. Next
morning he looked as if fifty Years
had been added to his age.
lie now put himself to work earn
estly, laying out cranberry beds and
raising live stock. lie withdrew from
his old companions rs if the sight of
them hurt his eyes, unless he could
help one OF them; then he came out
OF his she'll, but returned to it as soon
as the emergency was over.
Some of the neighbors thought his
mind was affected some said he had
rePented giving Matilda Day the cow
he was so proud of, and others dccid
ell that he meant to turn over a new
leaf, having sown all his wild oats.
ana become q sober, settled man.
otiil more were the townspeople sur.
prlsed when, some months after he
joined the church, aud took up, as he
said. IAN ordely walk
Ii the sanity old mothcrly Baden
knew the spring OF these actions she
kept it to herself. When questioned,
she only replied in her quiet way:
REJOICE with me that this my son
who was lost is found, who WAS dead
is alive again.
thus Jahlel moved on, cherishing
and blessing his mother, and clearing
and cultivating the hitherto WORTH
less lands OF the farm. till death left
him and ketury Perkings, his moth
or lifelong helper, alone in the great.
broad farmhouse.
HIS brother had married, gone
West, made great flourish in some
patent BUSINESS, and failed. He came
back after this and set up a store, and
tailed again. Then he went back TO
honest farming, about twenty miles
away. lie wearied for lack of ex.
citement OF failing and died, leay,
ing very helpless family
Jahlel was man of very few
words, and was Glow in uttering those
few, but when action was needed he
was MS prompt as any one. He went
to the funeral in the blue swallow
tailed coat, with gilt buttons, and the
same buff vest he had on ut his last
dance. They were still his best.
AS soon as the funeral was over. lie
said to his sistcr-in-law
Il fear you have nothing to live on;
COME TO the homestead as if it were
your own, and bring up your girls To
be useful women. I'll send Timothy
over next week with Star and Buck
for your goods. I'll come in the COW
ered wagon for you all, and if there
are any bills at the store, I'll pay them.
III see to the doctor and funeral so
drop all cares from your mind and
try and be happy
Jahiel Braden had grown to he a
very careless man, in certain sense
of the word. Although neat and or
defly in his person, in his house and
on the farm, he had laid aside all re-
straints OF society. lie came to the
table in his shirt sleeves, and some.
times III his stocking feet lie went
up town aud even 20 church with his
pants tucked in lis cow-hidc boots.
Once he so far forgot himself rs to
put on clean farm frock Sunday in
stead OF Monday, and Ibid good coat
OF mutton tallow on his boots. tucked
his butternut.colored pants into them.
and IN this plight took up the collec-
ton, for by this time he was a deacon.
This was no small delight to the bows
in the gallery, who were always clad
for some orthodox subject for laugh.
ter during the time of service.
Ketury Perkiugs was Just as indie
pendent Of the worlds opinion as was
her master, and did as many odd
things by way of shocking its sense of
propriety as he did through absent
mlndcdness. She more than once
presented herself at church i'm a clean
suhbonnet and calico sack, and en-
joyed the staring Of the people. be-
cause she had black silk gown. y
cashmere shawl, a straw bonnet and
black silk veil at home, 'as good as
Miss Deacon Jones', any day.
You may be sure she did not par
ticulaIly like The idea of lady com.
ing to take her place with three citi.
fed girls full Of airs However che
was not consulted in the matter and
had too much good sense to throw her
self out Of q house, so she made the
lC5f &C al, a.