The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1882-07-20
THE DEACON'S ,ELOPEMENT.

road mhisbuggy! And a sure asa Five
and breathe, he's all dressed up.
- Like as not he's drove round to git
some flowers for Mn, SkeeRs grave, !" adj
ded she, sarcastically. You lie down
there, Tiger, and keep quiet"
The deacon, after prolong ed conten-
ton with an offended mare, had persua-
ded her to be tied, and was now walking
up between Maria's beds Of pinks and
larkspurs straight to the front door In
stead ofcoming round to the kitchen as
folks usually did except on very cere-
monious occasions, which proceeding OF,
the part ofthe deacon caused Maria to
exclaiIn: ii 8 t III, 81 s3s.
~" My {sakes talivev' s,.5s3 s.sf4s. " ..stf
'What does all you, Maria? Do let
down the bucket of milk and 90 and
open the door for the deacon, can't you?'
For the lands sake. Betsey, YOU V 81
don't expect me to let in Brother
skeels looking like this, do you? You
just go and open the door, while I slip
on my other DRESS" 5it.sssss';ifi Il
" And before Betsy could demonstrate
Maria had climbed up the creaky stair
case, and there was no alternative but
for her to receive the deacon.
ut does beat all how women do act
when there's men folks around, )" mum
bled Betsy, as she proceeded to pull up
the Venitian blinds, and open the front
door for the worthy deacon, who had
been lingering for some time under GOV
er Of the, honeysucklel vine which grew
on frame over the entrance, to draw
on pair of black cotton gloves.
!" Good day, Sister Elizabeth. A warm
day" o..
be riding around the country with
gloves and things all ON said Betsy,
with great ferceness.
"Jess SOP he replied, abstractedly.
IT reckon you come to see brother An.
son, said Betsy, to his further discom-
future; che is just out in the potato patch,
hoing; I'll call him."
ooh, never mind! don't disturb him.
Sister Elizabeth" said the deacon, acme.
what hastily; II just dropped in as was
going past to see how YOU were getting
long. Hem! it's quite warm" j..5
Z "You seem to feel the heat amazing,
Mr.. Skeels. Pears like you'd be, more
comfortable in your store, daytimes,
than riding round the country said
Betsy, in thorny way, that pricked the
yerysheart of whit little self possession
he had left; and he was about to with
draw, utterly discounted, when. the
low door leading from the ENTRY way"
opened and Maraia appeared dressed in
manner that would have. caused some
satlrlcal comments from her sisters sharp
tongue, had not that worthy lady at that
moment espied family, Of vagabond
pigs entering the front gate, which the
/ deacon In his excitement, had forgot to
iasten, and darted out after them, wav-
ing her sun bonnet wildly, crying, 'tShoo!
high there, shoe. there!" f
Maria seemed little embarrassed.
and the deacon, too, at first, not having
recovered his equilibrium, was not quite
at at his ease, and occupied some little
time " it'll his hat. a
Like as not I'm hindering you from
your chores, Sister Marier, said the dea-
con, finally, having deposited his hat on
copy Of 'Fox's Martyrs which lay on
the table. ,ssi f4a sSss.
"Oh, no! not in the least ,Brothe-
Skeels; I'm right glad to see i ou," said
Maria, In such modest, coy, coQuettish
way, that the deacon felt encouraged at
once, and moved his chair a little nearer
the settee upon which Maria was sitting.
You have been quite regular to pray
er-neeting of late, Sister Marier. Ite
very soothing-like to my soul to see you
there so frequently. & g5., * ,.5,'.x, a
Whether the deacon had also OWNED
MaFla's motives; and attributed her re-
religious enthusiasm to his eloquent
prayers and exhortations in meeting
cannot be known, but certainly the ten
derand sympathizing glances she had
cast over to his side Of the church had
their effect upon, h(s susceptible bosom,
Sister Maria, said he, this Is a mis-
cradle world" s-S E77E-l
Eyes, Brother skeels, "said the maiden,
sympathetically. ia, a31
j don't take no sort Of pleasure in
nothing since ], lost my partner; life
seems SC. lonesome like, said the deacon.
Scripture says it amt good for man to
y don't reckon as how you'll never
find no one to take her place" said Ma
ria, timidly. 70
aAh! Sister Marier, there is them as
could make me happy once more and
make me forgit my grief for ,heras lies in
the burying ground with the long grass
waving. over her." said the deacon In 3
burst OF eloquence.19 NJ. I'll 4zaa H
But at this juncture the swallowsin the
big chimney flew up with loud whirr
that caused Maria to start up with q little
scream albeit she had been accustomed
to these summer swallows from child
hood-and the good deacon could not
refrain from clasping his arm about her
firfn waist and entreating her not to be
alarmed isya ~ So ~
aDon.t move till you are calm. Sister
Mariera,ks \ 10 a. 81. -
Whereat Miss Parrat, instead Of be-
coming calm, showed signs Of increased
agitation, as was perhaps natural under
the eircumstaces, The: large palm Leaf
figures on the bosom ofher gown heayed
wildly ana she burst into tears: then the
summer coat sleeve tightened about the
round waist, the maiden's head sank
lower and lower, until finally the cheek
rested upon the bombazine bosom, ana
the deacon's voice whispered:
"Marier, you are the being I would
have for my second partner; will You
become Mrs. Skeels and make me han-
py?n ~ -
Without waiting for her lover 10 repent
Of the offer, Maria whispered gently.
eyes" s s. :
'It WAS night. Squire Anson Parraes
oats had been cut and Piled In little
stacks about the field adjoining the old
farm house. The chickens in the cherry
tree beside the kitchen porch slept peace