South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-08-26

aifu Soiu W 'ho Sufs3 mdhe YOURSELVES
at home here
lie soon found there was a great
lack in his establishment, by over
hearing his nieces lament the piano
they had out West. He fever spoke
of it, but engaged the minister's wife
to go to town and select one for him.
The first the music hungry children
knew, it was brought into the house ;
and still he neverspoke oft. Indeed,
he rarely spoke of anything at all.
The family lived on thus very hap.
PLY for several years, when all at once
they noticed great change in Dea.
con Jahiel. He began to whistle at
his work, and to sing with the girls /;
he bought new carriage. Ketury
described it as q carriage like folkses
carriages lie even got violin and
checker-board from the garrett, and
for the first time in twenty years.
played on them both with zeal and
interest.
Passing down the main street of the
village one day, he saw buxom girl
at the window, aud leaning over the
fence, he called out:
Martha, hear there is a quilting
coming off before long at your house,
Yes, sir; the quilt is my own work
"a rising sun, with square and COM
pass in the heart of it. Mother said
If ever got it done L should have n
quilting just like those she used to
have when she was young the girl
replied.
Amt you going to invite me, Mar
thai? was the question that startled
the village girl.
What, Deacon = she cried, looking
at the hitherto grave man, to discern
If he had taken leave of his senses.-
You go to young folks quilting p
Certainly l will, if I'm asked said
the deacon, smiling. Your mother
can tell You how expert / used TO be
at challiing the line, shutting the cali
dies. and throwing the apple pairing
in old times
OF course he got an invitation, and
before many hours had elapsed it was
nolsed abroad that Deacon Braden
was gong 10 dance at Nettie Borland's
quilting party, and that the folks
thought him crazy.
For the first time in q ouartcr of a
century the deacon set off for a trip
to Boston, and us Ketury said, made
allover new From the crown of his
steeple-topped hat to the sole of his
tallow-soaked cow-hides, he was re-
newed III the outer man. He had
gone so far as to exchange lis pom
derous silver watch for gold one. In
place OF the porcelain shirt buttons
with which Ketury had always adorn-
ed his cotton shirt, the deacon appear
ed with gold studs in nicely polish
cd shirt bosom, gold sleeve buttons,
and divers other worldly vanlties such
us made great stir in the Cedar
Creek Westinghouse, but it was only
because he wore such clothes; others
there had dressed us well. You NAV
be sure the young folks stared at him
as he sat thus, with Mr.. and Mrs. Bor-
land, looking on at the sports Of quilt
ing. and the question WAS whispered.
from one to another:
wv hat on earth has come over Dea.
con Jaliel p
They soon found that the autumn
sun had come out i'll brighter radiance
Than IN Its earlier glory, and that lfes
Indian summer had come for him.
with bright skies, with flowers. and
with the singing of birds in the heart.
One morning, soon after this, the
deacon called his sister-in law and her
daughters into the parlor, and said
Il have plan to lay before you. l
shall need this house myself now
You may live beside me in the stone
cottage, or | will build you little
house III the village
We will stay as near as we can :;
but Who is to take my place p asked
the widow, in amazement.
You remember Matilda Dav. the
girl to whom gave my pet COW, Dill
~, on her wedding day ? A few
weeks ago | heard Of her for the first
time IN many long years. Her hus-
band was never worthy of her. lie
ran through her property, and then
took her into the wilderness to live.
away from all privileges Of schools.
churches and society. She buried her
oldest child, and was left alone and
very poor, with three toung boys.
From bOyhood up bad always ex-
pccted to marry Matilda, but I was
too slow in telling her 80. The rich
farmer from the next town stepped in
and married the only woman / ever
loved. chokcd down my grief, held
up my head, gave her my best COW,
danced at her wedding, kissed her.
wished her much JOY, aud then went
home with broken heart. 1t was a
long time before / could see the sun
shine after that. Life ard all around
me was changed but my mother. But
God came and brought peace aud life.
and then / sought TO do all for otbcrs