The Grenada gazette., 1888-07-05
DEACON BLANp'S COURTShIP.

Nsriar had departed fully ten long months
ago;
Deacon Bland had expended all his stock OF
prescribed woe.
II was 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
ionged 10 find
The Widow Dutton seemed intended by smii
ing Providence,
With her broad and fertile acres all inclosed by
Thoughts OF all the fat, Sleek cattle, feeding in
her clOver-helQS.
Caused the Deacon JOY far deeper than yearly
meeting yields.
One bright afterrGon behold him, with his Sun
day boots well creased;
Gay and buoyant as school boy, from his stud
les Just released,
In his shiny, well-kept broudcoth, of a most
time-honored date,
With a sprlg of dill and May pinks, dismount
ing at the widow 5 gate.
Fso., r4o. Eyes snone danger signals as she
noted the nosegay,
For she knew all in a moment what the Deacon
had TO say;
But the Deacon, all unheeding, grasped the
widows firm right hand,
Gave It a most friendly shaking, while his face
seemed to expand
As he noted all around him signs of ! mos,
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 bandauna DER it, and began with
assured ease:
"Sister Dutton, I've been thinking OF the ways
OF Providence,
IN removin of our partners and a-takin oi
them hence.
Tn not faultin' otthe Lords ways; I'm a-bowin
TO His will;
lean see His hand a-leadin' and guidin Of
NE still
I've ben thinkin' Of your sorrers, OF your heav Y
load Of care,
In your plannin' all this farmin and a-gittin'
but a share
OF all these crops, so finely CROWN, and it
seemed a shame to nc,
And my dooty in this matter has been plainly
shown TO me,
Sez l: What Sister buttons needin is a man S
good strong right arm
For 10 help her through this valley and to man.
age on her farm.
Now this matter would be mootchual as am
free to say to you.
For I'm needin Of 4 helpmcet in my house and
dairy, too,
Things at hum don't nowise suit me nothin' $
done there to my mind,
Brintha Crane : a shiftlCss creeter, like too many
OF her kind.
Eha don't ,nolyp tho Goir,, ,o,
used 10 do,
But she master hand at catin, as I'm willin
to allow.
Now, | need Il prudent helpmeeL that house
and dairy understand.
And your ncedin' pcrtectcr. one that's used
TO farmin land.
There is leakns in my household and I'll be
boun on your farm, too
lean see His hand a-Ieadln', Sister Dutton, can
not you?'
Now the poor, unwarv Deacon needed not the
wicked look
That stole DER the comely features, and the 81.
Iencc nc mistook
Tor ready acQuiescencc to his charming little
plan,
And he waited his awakening, like many an.
other man.
Really, Deacon, your proposal strikes me very
fhrcibly;
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 ihirk;
Berintha Crane tud Ann, my bound girl, could
surely all the homework do,
And now, dear Dea on. am going to be very