St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-30
DEACON BLAND's coURTsHIP.

DEACON GLANDS cOURTsHlP.
Marian had departed fully ten long months
ago;
Deacon Bland had expended all his stock Of
prescribed woe.
twas time another partner should be found
to share his lot,
One to help the thrifty Deacon, in adding to
what he had got;
So he quickly cast about HIM, in his speculative
mind,
For widow fifty lowered was what he most
longed to find. ua ..es. 81
The Widow Dutton seemed intended by smil
ing Providence, -
With her broad and fertile acres all inclosed by
well-kept fence
Thoughts of all the fat, sleek cattle, feeding in
her clover-ielos,
Caused the Deacon JOY far deeper than yearly
meeting yields.
One bright afternoon behold him, with his Sun
day boots well creased;
Gay and buoyant school boy, from his stud
les just released,
In his shiny, well-kept broadcloth of a most
time-honored date,
With sprig of dill and May pinks. dismount-
ing at the widows gate.
From her eyes shone danger signals, as she
noted the nosegay,
For she knew all in moment what the Deacon
had to say;
But the Deacon, all unheeding, grasped the
widows firm right hand
Gave it most friendly shaking, while his face
seemed to expand
AS he noted all around him signs OF q most
thriving care,
From this trim and comely woman with her
soft and shining hair.
Soon the Deacon, snugly seated, bell-crowne
hat between his knees,
Spread his red bandanna O er it, and began with
assured ease:
''Sister Dutton, I've been thinking of the ways
of Providence,
them hence.
I'm not taultin' of the Lord ways; I'm a-bowin
lean see His hand a-leadin' and o guidin' of
me still
I've ben thinkin' Of your sorrers, Of your heavy
load OF care,
In your plannin' all this farmin' and a-gittin'
but share
OF all these crops so finely CROWN, and it
seemed shame to me,
And my dooty in this matter has been plainly
shown TO me-
SEE I: What Sister buttons needin' is mans
good, strong right arm
age on her farm.
Now this matter would be mootchual, as I am
free to say to you,
For IN needin' of a helpmeet in my house and
dairy, too,
Things at hum don't nowise suit me; nothin's
done there to my mind,
Brintha Cranes shiftless creeter like too many
OF her kind.
She don't make the dairy pay me, as Mariar
used to do,
But she's master hand at eatin', as I'm willin
to allow.
Now, need a prudent helpmeet that house
and dairy understand,
And your needin' pertecter, one that's used
to farmin' land.
There is 1eakins in my household and I'll be
boun' on your farm, too,
can see His hand a-leadin', Sister Dutton, can
not YOUR
WICKED look
That stole DER the comely features, and the ST.
lence he mistook
For ready acquiescence to his charming little
plan,
And he waited his awakening, like many an
other man.
sReally, Deaconr your proposal strikes me very
forcibly;
Mother will be pleased, I'm certain, for she al
ways lives with me.
Aunt Margaret makes the finest butter; she
could attend the dairy work;
Her boys could do your chores; boys, you know,
are apt to shirk;
Berintha Crane and Ann, my bound girl could |
surely all the homework do,
And now. dear Deacon. am going to be very
frank with YOU
(The Deacon, growing most uneasy, nibbled at |
his bit Of dilD
stLife, at best, is ertain, every one should
make will;
Or in this case, twould be better just to make I
transfer deed,
This would save one further worry OF ever
knowing want or need;
For with mental reservation) this farm is but |
trust to me,
And you are growing old, dear Deacon, trust
my meaning you can see
Then again, am widow, wouId-there goes /
the Squire nowl
The Deacon rose up, in chill, registering ST.
lent VOW.
''Yes, do call him, /" said the widow, "at writing
he is quick"
But the pale, limp Deacon muttered: arm
feelin' kinder sick.
amt in no wise filter for to be away from
hum,
Let alone tendin' bizness, and never orto
Gomez
And without more words or adieux, to the gate
he made his way,
And the widow, wicked creature, laughed the
balance Of the day.
alice Woodruff, In Detroit Free Press.
pENNEn IT'D 1,