The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-22
THE DEACON'S TITHE.

They had a new minister at Sea-
brook. Old Parson Thornleigh, who
had kept the flock for forty years, had
gone to his long home; and in his stead
had come an honest, plain-spoken young
divine, with an earnest, fearless elo-
quence of his own. And now the worn
door-stone of the little gray church on
the hill was once more trodden by feet
which had long been strangers to it..
The minister boarded, having no family,
at Deacon Larrabee's.
"He's the least bit uncertain on some
points, said the deacon, leaning on
his hoe-handle and talking across the
fence to his neighbor Gray, who leaned
on his hoe-handle to listen--'ta bit I'M
certain. But like him do, no mis-
take; and believe the Lords going to
bless us through him!''
"Amenr' was neighbor Gray's
hearty response.
They hoed a dozen hills of corn in
silence, their hoes keeping time to the
merry song of bird in the orchard.
Then Mr.. Gray paused to wipe the
perspiration from his face.
"This hot weather's liable to make
sickness" said he. 81 suppose you've
heard that one of the Widow Sperry's
boys is down with fever?"
''Sho! now you don't say so !" ex-
claimed the deacon, commiseratingly.
SNAKE it hard for her, won't itP''
tr''Yes, particularly when she's so late
ly lost her COW. I've been saying that
wei all ought to take hold and make
it up to her. If I'd more than one COW
on my place wouldn't stand to talk
tRR 5aa% 6n ssll Es9 s sa4 lost my
hadn't"
1t might have been unintentional,
that sudden facing about as MIR. Gray
threw his glance toward the hill pas
lure where his neighbours herd of COWS
was quietly feeding. At all events, the
deacon could scarcely help noticing the
action. And he understood its purport.
An uneasy flush mounted to his face as
he struck vigorously into the next hill.
"She oughtto have kept her COW out OF
the road. My cattle never get into the
mill-pond and drown. If they should,
wouldn't expect anybody to make
'em up for me. She'd no more call,
had the widow, to let her COW run,
than / d have to turn my whole drove
out
''It's a pretty hard case, neyerthe.
less" said Mr.. Gray.
j And then the fragmentary converse.
ton, tossed piece-meal back and forth
across the fence as the neighbors went
steadily on with their work, drifted into
indifferent channels.
There had been an interested listener
to the colloquy narrated above. On the
shady side Of the wall which separated
Deacon Larrabee' orchard and cornfield
sat, book in hand, the Rev. Mr.. Yves.
ton. He arose, as the chat which floated
to his hearing began to be of crops and
haying. and walked slowly away along
the orchard path with thoughtful
smile upon his face.
That night, when the deacon took
the shining milk-pails from the dress
er and proceeded to the farm-yard
the young clergyman followed him,
lie stood leaning against the bars,
watching the yellow stars come out in
the sky, and looking abroad over the
deacon's possessions, shadowy now,
but substantial enough by daylight.
You are prosperous man, dea-
CON-
A smile of supreme satisfaction over.
spread the deacon's countenance as he
stood for a moment patting the sleek
neck of favorite COW.
''Well, yes" said he; ''but Eve mad,
myself. A pig and pitchfork, sir
was all | had to begin WITH
"How does your neighbor Gray ge
alongP' VOC nj p
"GrayP well, truth to tell, he'll neye
be forehanded if he lives to the aoe O
Methuselah. He's a hard-workin,
man enough, but why tits 1 can't tel
you; there's never poor creature
comes into our town that doesn't hea,
direct for John Gray's. Must be in
stinct teaches 'em; for he gives to Zen
all, deserving or not. / believe he,
take the coat of his back if twas need
ed.n He's asgood neighbor-a goo
neighhor; but he IL never get anything
to speak of, ahead a .eat'g..,+|7
But lay up for yourselves treasure
in Heaven, where neither moth no
rust doth corrupt, and where thieve
do not break through nor STEAL
quoted the minister. ~"
eyes, yes; but, if mind me right
the good Book says something to
about providing first for ones ow
household-eh?'
Mr.. Weston smiled. 81 believ
there is a passage to that effect" sal
he. 1869 iTh sNJ HlrF uasa L
''And," went on the deacon, a littI
triumphantly, ''if neighbor Gray woul
give certain portion"