Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-06-29
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. 1t 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
gIlished after the fashion of small cOun-
try towns remote from railway and
manufacturing centers.
whoa, Mary Janei' said the deacon
with unnecessary emphasis, throwing
the reins on the mares broad back and
springing to the ground
But the despondent Mary Jane had al
ready ceased her shambling gate from
sheer force of habit. A ten years ser
vice with the deacon had made her per-
fectly familiar with the accustomed
round of stopping places. Wednesday
night 1t was prayer-meetlng; Sunday,
the church service; and Saturday night,
invariably the postoffice, and, as a late
variation, an after pause at the house of
Mrs. Betsey Hill, the milliner, who for
a quarter of century had supplied the
women of New Bethany with head gear
fearfully and 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, y
returned the deacon. '1f ownin' the
best farm in town and hevin' money at
interest isn't luck, I'd like to know what
is"
ssYes; 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
royin' turn of mind, took the few thous-
ands of personal property as his'n and
invested 'em in Western lands, which
turned out wuthless, and he lost every
cent he put in. Folks always blamed
him for bein so foolish and hasty, and
they saw 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 kei-
abs been offered nigh onto SO, 900 for
the lands, and they say she will get ever
so much more if she only holds on.
''You don't mean it?'
81 dew; it's as true as scripture.
''She1l hold out, never fear" said the
deacon; sand hold it to be our bounden
duty as neighbors 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 a 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 at a
breakneck rate of speed.
.sNow's your time, Solomon Pinch,
he muttered to himself '1t's mebbe a
long while afore yen have such good
chance ag'in. She'll be sure to be alone
for a couple of hours or so-Hi, old lady
no stoppin' here tonight, he added,
giving the lines sudden twist as Mary
Jane showed an inclination to stop be-
fore Mrs. Betsy Hills house; ''weve
other fish to fry now, old girl
When he reached home he drove the
mare under the horse-shed and tied her
there. instead of embarrassing her as
usual. Then he entered the house and
hastily swallowing the scanty supper
which the hired woman placed before
him. donned his best clothes and drove
off again at rapid pace.
LAW sakes aliyep' exclaimed the
woman, amazed 1.-The deacon's got
sumthin' on his mind, sure! It's the
first time ever knew him to disremem'
ber to ask blessin'."
Ever since the death of his wife Dea-
con Pinch had looked on Miss keziah as
her probable successsr, for years he had
gazed with covetous eyes on the hne
Mead farm with its substantial buildings,
but he never could screw his courage uI
to the point of facing the swapping black
ewes of its owner. OF late he had beer
seen several times knocking at the dool
of Mrs. Betsy Hills little brown house
and the worthy milliner was overloyed
at the opening of the brilliant prospect
before her. But the news OF the suddeI
rise in Western lands caused Mrs. Hi
with her small possessions, to sink mt
insignifcancs by the side of the mel
woman with her well-tilled acres, hel
prospective thousands of dollars.
The idea of failure in his matrimonia
venture never for an instant entered the
deacon's head. 'The way afore We is a'
plain and straight as pipe stem, SOLO
man Pinch" he murmured, rubbing tht
palms of his hands together, as he walk
ed towards Miss Keziah's side door
ssWomen is mostly alike-eager an VII
lin to embrace matrimonial opportunl
ties. They'll snap at an offer like
hungry trout at worm. She has &c.
the money, and l hev' got the prom
nence and influence; that's pint not u
be overlooked; and deacons isn't to b'
had every day. Put her money and m!
influence together, and l rather gues
we'll stand about top O the heap In New
Bethany"
Miss Keziah was sitting by the table