The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-05

to the front as the door opened in re- sponse. There was no hall The widow held the lamp in her hand; and was such vision of Ioveliness that the tongues of all three clave to the roofs of their mouths, and they stood as shearers dumb before the lamb.
 "Why, it's Deacon Crowfut!" ex- claimed the widow. Come in, Mir
 Crowfut. was half frightened for a minute; ] did not know who it could be coming here; have SO few callers, you
 know," she said, as she stepped back ward to permit the entrance of the party The widow smiled when she said " call CTS, " and the parting cherry lips showed such lovely white teeth aud the suile made such fascinating dimple in the
 ~ido~'s left cheek, that Deacon Growth, gained courage at once as he and his
 oAsket-laden confederates stood there in sheepish row before the pretty terror in black and swan's-down.
 This is Deacon Toles an Deacon Pyncheon. Ahem 'en-'hem |" said Deacon Crowfut. We was all down to my store, and we kinder thoue eht-we didn t know, bein' as you hadn't got no men folks round-that mebby you hadnt"-here the memory of the cod hsh came up, and De ,con Crowfut
 went all to pieces, blushed visibly, and could not think what he intended to say
 The fact on is," said Deacon Toles, in very hoarse voice and with great de- termination of manner, |" we jest though seeins to-moner's Thanksgivin' we'd kinder walk round this way hum, vs see. an we oruug l,ng a ba. e-." Here she deacon eyes, which b Ad been wisely directed to the stove, fell on the dimple tn the widows peachy cheek, and he, too, became dumb. The widows smile
 vas very bright as she set the lamp down on the table by the stove, and placed three chairs for her visitors, and said, " And so you three gentlemen remem oered those who were alone. and kindly pvt your thoughts into deeds and bas- ketsT Do sit down." she continued. as the deacons still stood in row with their offerings, all grinning and wordless.
 "l guess l won't stop to sit down, {" said Deacon Crowfut. "Thurzy Jane Fl be !ookin' fur me putty soon, an must be a gittin' back.
 Its putty late," said Deacon Pyn. cheon, "an' l guess we'll jest set down our baskits an make tracks"
 At thus happy suggestion the three dea- cons simultaneously set their baskets on the floor and seemed greatly relieved by the operation, though Deacon Toles eyes never left the dimple in the Wi ios Rosebush's cheek for one fraction of a second, as he said, "Yes. we'll be a goip, guess; mebby you kin find somethin in them air bAskits Il come in handy to- morrer, Miss Rosebush an me n Dea- con Crowfut an Deacon roles I'll be aw- fully obleeged ef you kin make some use ont ;" And all the deacons made a | hurried move to the door.
 You are very, very kind," said the smiling widow, stepping forward with ex tended hand-"you must not go without letting me thank you for your f.vors FAvors which certainly did not expect" s aid the widow, as she gave her hand to Deacon CroWfut, who held it helplessly | for an instant an then dropped it. but which are very welcome, assure you" she continued as she gave her hand to Deacon Pyncheon, who gripped it in a | m amer that made the widows eyelids | quiver, though the smile did not leave the cherry ups, "more welcome tonight | than either of you knew, perhaps, ,"-and | Deacon Pyncheou having rather reluc. tantly released the soft, white dimpled | hand, Mrs. Rosebush presented it to Deacon Toles. who took it in a flipper about half as wide as Jumb DOS ear, and | gripped it fast as without word he leaned forward and planted a sound, true-ol ue, saltwater salute on the widows | left cheek.
 "Ohl said the widow, softly, "l did not expect ,hat!'
 " couldn't help it, widder, dum'd ef | could It was that air pesky dimple done it. didn't mean to-an' I'm re Il sorry it it scairt ye," said the deacon as he saw the widows face hdsh.
 "You are all sc kind l cannot help ,r. giving you, fort once, said the widow, smiling divinely again will not urge you to stay. as you seem anxious to go- only hope you may all be as happy to- morrow as the kindness of your hearts deserves. Good night, good night" she added, asthe three deAcons let themselves out ot the house, and hurried down the walk. while the widow held the lamp over her head in the open door-a shining vision of loveliness in the dark Novem- Der night, which was indelibly stamped on the heart of each and every one of the three deacons of R ockhampton as thc5 skurried away in the gloom.
 By one ofthose fortultous circumstances which lead some good folk to believe there is such thing as unconscious " psychic communication between the minds of individuals, but which in fact simply shows that we are all kin and so very nearly alike tn 1t the same incidents and environments affect m any in iividuals in the same manner, the Widow R ,se- bush was on this particular Thanksg,virg 2 eve the object Of consideration which oc- cupied the thoughts of another trio beside our worthy deacons.
 This second trio was of that sex by courtesy commonly described as tue gen. tier, and was located in the "settin' room" of Deacon roles' comforta sle