The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-10-15
THE DEACON'S DINNER.

The good housewives of the neigh
oorhood often said that Mrs. Smart
ought to be the happiest woman in the
world.
"Such a nice house as she lives in -
said Miss Bryce, who, poor soul,
taught the district school. and "board-
ed around" like the scape- goat in the
Scripture wildernesses.
"Such pious man as the dear dea-
BON is r added Mrs. Hopkins, whose
oetter-half had once been sea- cap
tain, and was still apt to be profane
by fits and starts, when the cattle got
.nto the clover-feld, and the midnight
weasel marauded on his hen-coops and
;urkey-roosts.
with store carpet on the best
COON floor" put in Mrs. Jones, "and
weekly newspaper, and white sugar in
her tea every day of her life, and
horse and wagon to take her to meet
in Sundays"
Such was the opinion of society as
represented in Glen Hollow. Perhaps
Mrs. Deacon Smart aOas a happy
woman. But we are told, on the very
oest authority, that "the heart know
eth its own bitterness"
Mrs. Smart was washing up her
best china, one morning, preparatory
to giving 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 gilt
edged saucer, in her CONSERVATION.
"More pinsi" said She
Eyes. my DEAR" said the deacon,
unctuously. 'Pins are always useful"
'Oh, yes, pins" said Mrs. Smart,
giving her glass-towel toss as she
wiped the last globule of moisture
from a goblet. "But not rows of rus
ty wire! do say for it, Ebenezer-"
"I'm going to Glen Depot, my DEAR
the deacon somewhat hurriedly inter
rupted, at this juncture; "and perhaps
1 shan't be home until tne o'clock"
He withdrew, and Mrs. Smart turn
ed to Ella Dale with 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 !'
Ella opened her round hazel eyes
very wide.
81 can't think what you mean,
Juliana," said she. "You unhappy
and the dear deacon such a truly good
manr'
That's the trouble" said Mrs.
Smart; "he's too good"
II don't sec 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 pins?"
"Why, of course 1 see it," said Ella
"Well, Mr.. Smart has bought that
paper of pins of peddler at the door,"
said Mrs. Smart. "Peddlers always
come here. This house is a Mecca to
the race of peddlers. They know that
Mr.. Smart always buys of them-he's
too good-hearted to say no; or rather
let us speak the truth and shame him
who shall be nameless between us-he
Is too indolent to resist their importu-
nities"
Ella burst out laughing.
"But what a very insignificant
little trial |" said she.
"Oh, yes, 1 dare sayr' said Mrs.
Smart "The sting of hornet isn't
so very terrible in itself, but when
whole swarm is let loose upon you,
what then?'
"a swarm?" repeated innocent Ella.
"My DEAR" said Mrs. Smart, lower
ing her voice to a confidential whisper,
sup stairs in my bedroom closet
have eighteen papers of just such
cheap pins-utterly useless for any
thing but to bend themselves up doub-
le when you try to put them through
single thickness of calico, and to de.
prive you of your temper just when
you need it most; six cards of porce.
lain buttons-an article which | nsreI
use; nine packages of stove backing
thirteen bottles of sewing machine oil
five papers of rusty needles; a dozer
pairs of shoe-strings; and eight roll.
of tape. which is an insult to one:
common sensel If l could reconcile il
to my conscience, I'd fling the whole
collection into the fire; but l wa.
brought up to economic. What de
you think, Ella? Would it be sin t.
annihilate all these pitfalls to my
l