The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-10-26
How the Deacon Proposed.
BY pERsIs +. CHASE.

S'''A'''@'
II tell you what it's Jacob. come
here when Mary Ann died so sudden,
and left you with them three motherless
children, and took right hold and looked
after things same's ef they were my
own, don't know as you hev much rea-
son TO complain, and hev had your victu-
ais and there han't ben nethin' wasted.
The milk's been took clre of we'll, y ou
know you get more for your butter than
eny one round here. l don't see no
call for you to 60 and get married, at
your time of life too, and you deacon
Of the church,"
II don't see what you are talking so
for; Jesusha, l haven't found any fault
have l?' guess shan'tget married to
night"
"Wall l ain no fool, Jacob, you
didn't used to STAN before the glass
brushin' hair halt an hour jest tn 60 tu
evenin' meetin'., and amt the only
one that has noticed how you are spruc-
ing up lately. Miss Green was in here
this afternoon, and abe spoke bout it.
She said she shouldn't wonder mite
of you was married before winter"
Mrs. Green is good hand to mind
other folks business. She better stav at
home and take care of her family"
"Wall, all | hev tn say is, eff YOU must
get married don't for massy sakes hev
that Clarissa Howe; what'll she know"
The deacon who had finished his toi-
let, did not want to hear the rest of Aunt
Jerasha's remarks, but went out of the
room, closing the door with Just a little
slam, and walked rather, faster than
usual toward the little church, to take
part in the Tuesday evening PRAYER
meeting. Deacon Grover, was not. by
any means, an old man, as,his half-sister r
Jerusha. had limited. only forty. Tall,
and as erect as if he we're a soldier in :.
stead of a farmer, with hardly sily er
thread in his glossy, black hair.
!; is now three years sirce Mrs. Gro
yer, the deacon's wife died. leaving
three children, two boys and a little
daughter three wears old. The deacon
had been yery fond of his wife and had
sincerely mourned her loss.
She was sadly missed in her home for
she had .eeff one "who looked well to
the ways of her household, and ate not
the bread Of idleness."
Deacon Grover had been glad to accept
the services Of his sister, to look after
his house and children, especially little
Mary, who was delicate child and
needed constant attention, and had got
along very well with Jerusha, account
ing for eccentric WAYS by remembering
Disappointment in love, which had
made her the old maid she was.
AS Jerusha was several years older
than her brother, she did not hesitate
to express her, opinion at the way he
managed his affairs, and give him plen-
ty Of advice. "she had done her duty
bv Jacob and the. children, and took
right hold and looked after things same's
OF theys my own," SO she told Mrs.
Green, but the children wanted some
thing besides wholesome food and clean
clothes, and doses of herb tea; they
missed a mothers love: Little Mary
found out it was no use to ask Aunt
Jerusha ito sing to.her, or tell her a
story, as mamma used to- the reply
was sure to be-, II hain't got no time,
you go and set down in your little chair
and be good girl 30 when. papa was