The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-16
THE DEACON's wOOING.

THE DEACON's wOOING.
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. It 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 Ian
guished after the fashion of small coun-
try towns remote from railway and
manufacturing centers.
"Whoa, Mary Jane!' said the deacon
with unnecessary emphasis, throwing
tho reins on the mares broad back and
springing to the ground.
But the despondent Mary Jane had al
ready ceased her shaubling gate from
sheer force of habit. A ten years SER
vice with the deacon had made her per-
fectly familiar with tho accustomed
round of stopping places. Wednesday
night it was prayer-meeting; Sunday,
the church service; and Saturday night,
invariably the postoffice, and, as a late
variation, al after pause at the house Of
Mrs. Betsey Hill, the milliner, who for
quarter Of century had supplied the
women of New Bethany with head gear
fearfully md wonderfully made.
The moment the deacon stepped inside
the Office he knew, from the unusual
buzz of conversation, that something
extraordinary had happened.
"Heard the news-eh, deacon?" asked
one Of the village loungers.
The deacon looked up inquiringly.
''Miss Keziah's had an amazin' streak
of luck"
''It's been nothing but an amazin'
streak of luck ever since she was born" /"
returned the deacon. eff ownin' the
best farm in town and hevin' money at
interest isn't luck, I'd like to know what
is"
eyes; 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 Keziah to bring up?
Wa'al, when old man Mead died Miss
Keziah took the farm as her. share of the
property, and her brother, bein' of a
rovin' turn of mind, took the few thous-
ands of personal property as his'n and
invested 'cm in Western lands, which
turned out wuthless, and he lost every
cent he put in. Folks always blamed
him for bcin so foolish and hasty, and
they say grief and modification like
hastened his death. Wa'al it turns out
they hev put a railroad square thro'
the lands, and it's sent estate way
up, nobody knows where. Miss Kezi-
ah's been offered nigh onto $4,000 for
the lands, and they say she will get ever
Sc much more if she only holds on"
---~ d you don't mean it?"
ri dew; it's as truo as scripture~
''SlIell hold out, never fear" said the
deacon; "nnd L hold it to be our bounden
duty as ncighbors to advise her to that
end"
Instead of lingering as usual for the
village gossip-for New Bethany post
office on Saturday night answered the
purpose Of weekly paper--the deacon
seemed in great hurry to get home
1t was the night of the choir rehearsal
and in driving by the church he saw Mary
Lead, Miss Keziah's neice, going up the
steps. He suddenly whipped up his
sleepy old mare and drove home Mt a
breakneck rate of speed.
''Now's your time, Solomon Pinch"
he muttered to himself. "It's mebbe n
long while afore ye'll have such n good
chance agin. She'll be sure to be alone
for q couple Of hours or so--Hi, old lady!
no stoppin' here tonight" he added,
giving tho lines n sudden twist as Mary
Jane showed an inclination to stop be-
fore Mrs. Betsy Hills house; "we've
other fish to fry now, old girl.
When he reached home he drove the
mare under the horsc-shed and tied her
there, instead of embarrassing her as
usual. Then he entered tho house md
hastily swallowing the scanty supper
which the hired woman placed before
him, donned his best clothes and drove
off again Mt rapid pace.
"Law sakes alivep' exclaimed the
woman, amazed. '"rhe dcacons got
sumthin' on his mind, surel It's the
first time ever knew him to disromem-
Der to ask blessin'."
Ever since the death of his wife Dea-
con Pinch had looked on Miss Keziah rs
her probable successsr, for years he had
gazed with covetous eyes on tho fine
Mead farm with it's substantial buildings,
but he never could screw his courage up
to tho point of facing the swapping black
eyes of it's owner. OF late he had been
seen several times knocking ut tho door
of Mrs. Betsy Hills little brown house,
and the worthy milliner was ,ovorjoyed
ut the opening of the brilliant prospect
before her. But tho news of the sudden
rise in Western lands caused, Mrs. Hill
with her small possessions, to sink into
insignifcance by tho side of the rich
woman with her well-tilled acres, her
prospective thousands'of dollars.
The iden of failure in his matrimonial
venture never for an instant entered the
deacon's head, 'The wny aforo We il ns