The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-08-31

took of his hat a. he spoke, and by tire
light of the moon the boys could SEQ
that he was making adesperate effort to
keep his face straight. " Now I'm
Hold on therel StopF'
For Con and Ike Harris had started
to run. They stopped, however. There
was nothing else to do when the Deacon
spoke in that way. and they knew il.
Let's see, '" said the Deacon, reach
ing toward Ned Rogers basket which
was forthwith handed over to him with
great alacrity-" let's sec how many
you've got. "
He examined every boy load i'm turn
carefully and in silence, and all the
while the boys looked into each others
faces without speaking. oh! il the
moon would but go under a cloud!
When the Deacon had finished his
inspection, he spoke again, kindly, and
with pleasant smile:
Now, boys, Pm much Obliged TO yeJ
I've laid out to 60 to town with load
o truck tomorrow, an. was won
derin' how Il get my cherries picked.
I'm reely obliged to ye, and Pll be more
SO if yen carry 'em to the house for
me"
Not q boy felt like disobeying. Not
one but silently picked up his burden of
GnEEIAGS anu AAAIGMGu ai0lAA BblOtG Atlll
Deacon to the house and into the porch.
"Set 'em right down here.' directed
Deacon Cannon, cheerily, "an' II see
TO EN- fore long. Now, boys, ye've
worked consider bic hard, an you want
some supper. Come in an have some
cherry pie an cheese"
Every boys face said he would rather
die, and there was sound Of murmmcd
negatives,
ayes you will," said the Deacon;
q You We worked well. an deserve your
supper. Right into the kitchen now,
right inl Mothers a-waitin' for ye."
So size was-kind, motherly Mrs.
Cannon. And there was tab G loaded
with goodies waiting for them, too
sandwiches, and p'um-cake, and cherry
pie. and cherry tarts, and cherries
cherries everywhere.
"Good-evening. said Mrs. Cannon
beaming upon the boys.
Take some chairs, ordered the
Deacon, behind them; "and set right
up and have some cherry pie and soch."
The boys wondered whether they
were awake or dreaming as they filed
shamefacedly past Mrs. Cannon, hats
in hand, and took seats at the we'll
spread table.
Now help yourselves. " said the Dea-
cons wife. And each boy in his heart
wondered if she knew, and hoped she
didn't. But they helped Themselves
readily enough; and at length, between
the Deacon's funny stories and the deli
cious cherry pie, they came as near to
enjoying themselves as was possible UNI
der the circumstances.
You amt eat scarcely anything"
said the Deacon, when the boys iin-'
ished their meal. ''Have some cherriesP
No cherriesP Ho no! hor' L..
- Now, fatherr' expOstulatcd his
wife, mildly; and then the boys kncW
she knew.
a. don't s'pose I'd ought 10. said
the Deacon; and he walked to the head
of the table, and stood there looking
down at his young guests with queer
little smile. Il amt much of speech
| ifier," said he, ''but / want TO ask you
boys a question. Which would ye raih-
er be, when ye get ready TO take your
fathers places, honest men or roguesP'
Every boy caught his breath. The
old eight-day clock in the corner tickcd
painfully loud.
The man'H be nigh about the same
as the boy" went on the Deacon.
g Now which'l II you be, boys, rogues or
honest menP'
Hon-honest men," cried Con
o. Brien.
Later on he said he couldn't help IL,
with the Deacon looking at him, and
the Deacon's wife wiping her glasses
in that anxious way; but he meant il all
the same. And they all followed his
lead, as they ever did, every boy.
"That's right" said Deacon Gam
mon that's just right; and we won't
say another word about IT,
"No, DON'T" said his wife.
But, after all, it was Con o. Brien who
said the right thing in the right place,
as he picked up his basket, which wasn't
entirely empty, in the porch.
Whenever you want any help about
picking your cherries, Deacon Gam
mon, call on U.S. said he. Wen be
sure to come when you sind for MS.
and we won't come before, honest In
junr'
That's right" said the Deacon
"thaps right"
Then his eyes twinkled, as the boys
filed out into the night. Edward"
said he TO Ned Rogers, tell your fath-
or that's the best NOW of timothy ] eyer
saw
eIt's just the way thought" cried
the boys, when they got out Of the Dea-
scon's hearing, "iust exactly. ."-Har-
pey's Young People.