The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-10-27
THE DEACON'S DINNER

I'LL OhAOUND DlN LII,
The good housewives of the neigh
borhood often said that Mrs. Smart
ought to be the happiest woman in the
world.
'Such a nice house as she lives in r
said Miss Bryce, who, poor soul,
taught the district school, and "board-
ed around" like the scape-goat in the
Scripture wildernesses.
"Such a pious man as the dear dea-
Dn is r added Mrs. Hopkins, whose
better-half had once been a sea-cap-
tain, and was still apt to be profane
by fits and starts, when the cattle got
Into the clover-ield, and the midnight
weasel marauded on his hen-coops and
turkey-roosts.
with a s~tore-carpet on the best
room floor" put in Mrs. Jones, "and a
weekly newspaper, and white sugar in
her tea every day of her life, and a
horse and wagon to take her to meet
In Sundaysl"
Such was the opinion of society as
represented in Glen Hollow. Perhaps
Mrs. Deacon Smart aDas a happy
woman. But we are told, on the very
best authority, that "the heart know
9Th its own bitterness"
Mrs. Smaft was washing up her
best china, n morning, preparatory
to giving a grand tea-party. and her
cousin, Ella Dale, was helping her,
when the deacon put his shining bald
head in at the door.
"My dear" said he, "here is a paper
of pins for you"
Mrs. Smart nearly dropped a gilt
edged saucer, in her CONSERVATION.
"More pins" said she.
eyes, my DEAR" said the deacon,
unctuously. "Pins are always useful"
"Oh, yes, pins!" said Mrs. Smart,
, giving her glass-towel a toss as she
wiped the last globule of moisture
from a goblet. "But not rows of rus
ty wirel I do say for it, Ebenezer-"
"I'm going to Glen Depot. my DEAR"
the deacon somewhat hurriedly inter-
eupted, at this juncture; "and perhaps
I shan't be home until enc O'clock"
He withdrew, and Mrs. Smart turn
ed to Ella Dale with a half laugh.
"There, my DEAR" said she. throw
ing down the faded green roll of pin
paper on the dresser, 'there you be-
hold the secret of my domestic unhap-
piness. the skeleton in my closet I"
Ella opened her round hazel eyes
very wide.
II can't think what you mean,
Juliana," said she. "You unhappy
and the dear deacon such a truly good
manP'
That's the trouble" said Mrs.
Smart; "he's too good"
II don't see how that can be posi-
ble," protested Ella, more perplexed
than ever.
"And It's all at my expense" said
Mrs. Smart, dolefu.ly. "Do you see
that paper of pinsp"
"Why, Of course I see it," said Ella.
"Well, Mr.. Smart has bought that
paper of pins of a peddler at the door,
said Mrs. Smart. "Peddlers always
come here. This house is a Mecca to
the race of peddlers. They know that
MI. Smart always buys of them-he's
too good-hearted to say no; or rather
let US speak the truth and shame hin
who shall be nameless between us-h,
is too indolent to resist their importu.
mites"
Ella burst out laughing.
"But what a very insignificant
little trial r. said she.
"Oh, yes, I dare sayl' said Mrs
Smart. 1.-THE sting of a bornet ISM
30 very terrible in itself. but when a
whole swarm is let loose upon you
what then?"
"a swarm?" repeated innocent Ella
my DEAR" said Mrs. Smart, lower
ing her voice to u confidential whisper
sup stairs in my bedroom closet
have eighteen papers of just sue
cheap pins-utterly useless for any
thing but to bend themselves up dout
le when you try to put them througl
q single thickness Of calico, and to dc
prive you of your temper Just whe