Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-01-20

through the week, she had expected
10 come of that uutburst on Sunday
on the Deacon's part. But, somehow,
the esr-trumpet seemed of little im-
portance to her as she walked home
today musing whether it would not
be best to put it quite out of reach,
and so have done with the vexatious
; thing
Yes" she said emphatically and
| in conclusion as she reached the door
and stopped to take the key from un-
der the mat Every one in Kene.
waw knew where she kept that key
Yes, I'll give the ear-trumpet TO
Sister Price, and she can do as she
likes about lending it to Sister Steb.
bins. There's other things in the
world besides ear-trumpets, and per-
haps | shall be better off without it.
after ALL"
So she went straight to the chest
of drawers, without taking off her
things, and drew forth the cotton that
had preserved the metal in all its
pristine brightness. But, 10! no
trumpet met her hand, aud the more
she turned things about in her frantic
search the mo bewldered shs grew.
She gave it up at length, and with
uncertain air sat down to think.
"It's Deacon Botsford !" she gasp
ed. Il never should a-teleived it,!
and after all he said about my soul !"
*
("By hook or by crook" laughed
the deyi! as he saw her rage.
The next day was Sunday, and
Absalom, though slow to take im.
Lressions, felt, as they started for
church, that something uuusal must
have happened to exclude the impor-
tant item from her outfit.
You've forgot your ear-trumpet.
mother" be said as he helped her in
to the wagon. "Shsn't 1 60 back
and fetch it?"
Sister Wiggins closed her lips. II
ain got any ear-trumpet," she replied.
just drive along. for | want to get
there before the preaching's commen-
ced"
The parson was giving out the
hymn when they entered Absslom
dropped into his accustomed seat near
the stove, but Sister Virgins never
paused until she stood before the lit.
tie white box tha, served for pulpit
"Parson she said in O distinct
voice, fixing her eyes upon the little
man, who could only gaze down up.
on her in astonishment; "Parson, a
good deal has been said about pride
and stiff neckedness, and the sinful
ness of the desire to be exclusives;
but l want you and the people here
assembled to know that you've got
something worse than that among
you here today, and that is thief;
and that thief is deacon OF the
Church."
Here she fixed her eyes upon Dea.
con Botford's Ii vid face He raised
his hands with gesture which might
have sllenced her had she understood,
but blinded by her passion she went
on to he bitter end
"He took my ear-tr umpet yester-
day without my kno wledge or con-
sent, and / demand to have it restor-
ed before the members of this
Church"
will not attempt to describe the
CONSERVATION that fell upon the con-
gregation at her words
Louis had followed the irate sister
down the aisle, but at so slow pace
that he barely reached her as she fin.
ished speaking.
"Tase toi. gran mere" he drawled
in his outlandish French Then in
an English which was sufficiently un-
derstood,"I gave your trumpet to the
Lord !"
Sister Wiggins almost sank to the
floor, but Louis went on with grand
Indifference:
Il found "un pauvre homme" "a
poor many in the loft. He wasn't
exactly blind, but be said be was half
blind in one 80 Igave him that and
my tin bank. Now let US pray"
And the parson, being young and
inexperienced, and not knowing what
else to do, began to pray; but the
overwhelming modification of that
hour was too much for Sister Wig
gins, and she tainted there and there
When she opened her eyes she
found herself reposing on a settee in
the entry, with her head on Deacon
Botsford's breast.
II hain't no kind O. doubt, Sister
Wiggins." be said anxiously," but
we can overtske that man and get
your trumpet back"
But Sister Wiggins answered with
a shudder," deacon Botsford. never
let me hear the words ear-trumpet
again. It's all a judgement on me for
my foolish stuck-up ways. How can
you hold me 30? Let me lay in the
dust at your feet"
But the Deacon helder her closer,
saying, mo, stay here. stay here"