The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1890-01-22

- > NiOAtt ~ a NQfiIi- Eollc mas
got tue money. and i hev got the
prominence and influence; that's a
pint not TO be overlooked; and desa-
cons isn't to be had every day. Put
her money and my influence together,
and l rather guess we'll stand about
top OF the heap in New Bethany
Mss Keziah was sitting by the table
knitting as usual. She had Just began
TO narrow for the hole of the stocking,
when step sounded ON the walk. She
threw down the stocking and opened
the door, and holding the lamp high
above her head. her eyes rested upon
the amazing spectacle of the deacon
IN all the Sunday magniIicence of
white shirt and shiny black broad
cloth Well. l neverr she eiacu-
lated. and then, feeling that her recep-
ton had been hardly hospitable, she
lowered the lamp and said kindly:
Come in, deacon-come in
THANK ye. thank ye; l don't mind
if 1 dew.
Take seat, deacon"
THANK you; ! don't mind If /
The deacon surveyed the attractive
room, which, with its CHEEKY fire and
cofnfortable cushioned chair, seemed a
veritable paradise in comparison with
hls unhdy, i'll kept home. He placed
his hat on the floor beside his chair,
displaying his scanty gray locks in
geniously plastcred over the top of his
head so as to cover as much of the
bald surface as possible. There was
long pause.
Anything going on, deaconG''
asked Miss Keziah, resuming her
knitting. She was greatly puzzled to
account for those Sunday clothes
sgNAflRs,.t ~, Al.
servation. There won't be much more
a-goin' now till lection time; things'll
be pretty lively then"
Want to buy any hay this year2''
chirped Miss Keziah. Mine is extra
good this season; my hired man says
it's the best harvest yield in town"
Il rather guess I'll hev enough to
carry me thro' the winter If don't
i shall know where ter come fur hay
as is hay. l declare. your farm does
beat all feel kind o. rugged like
when think the best farm in town is
managed by a woman"
Miss keziah smiled graciously, and
the deacon drew his chair little
nearer his hostess. 1T must be a great
load for ye to carry alone. Such a
large farm is tremendous respousi-
biiity for lone woman"
oh, don't mind it; it keeps me
proper busy"
The deacon hitcled his chair along
few inches farther. 'tYe'd ought to
have brother or cousin, or some rela-
tive like, TO share the burden with We"
Ny shoulders are plenty strong"
returned Miss Keziah, good naturally.
II III glad to show the folks that there
are women good for something besides
giddy -gaddying and tattling"
ssNIs VIC - al
I'VE can all testify to your valley and
worth. You're a real honor to your
sex You're-you'r a bright and
shinin' beacon light to the triflin'
and vain minded women of the world"
and the speaker waved his hand at the
conclusion of this little oratorical
flourish.
Then hitch, hitch, hitch went the
chair Miss Keziahward. ''Don't you
feel sort o. lonely at spells7" he asked.
insinuatingly.
Miss Keziah glanced suspiciously at
the rapidly advancing chair. She
lire and piled up the blazing sticks of
wood. Then she came back to the ta-
hle and set her chair ON the farther
side OF 1t, thus putting a barrier be-
tween her and the visitor. I'm never
lonely, deacon; plenty to do is the
best medicine for loneliness"
But woman's a tender, dependent
creatur'. Woman's a vine, " here the
deacon took up the weekly prayer
meeting drawl, land needs suthin' to
cling to when the troubles, desolatin'
waves and winds o. affliction and sor-
row roll over her"
Stuff and nonsenser exclaimed
Miss Keziah, with a contemptuous
sniff Il shouldn't have expected
that man of your sense, deacon,
would repeat such silly trash. have
no patience with the people who are
always talking as if women couldn't
stand alone, and needed propping up
like rag doll that hadn't any back
bone. I'm no vine, or creeping, help
less thing, l can tell you. can stand
alone as well as anybody, if the Lord
so wills it, although admit, deacon,
that its pleasanter to have some one
keep you company"
squar' on the headl It's pleasanter to
hev company in our sojourn on this
mortal yearth."
The deacon seized his chair with both
hands, and by a circutous line of
hItchlng he placed it within three feet
Of Miss Keziah's table. you're a fore
handed woman, Miss Keziah; I'm
man of prominence and influence in
the community; it seems to me that it
would be a good thing if we could
walk hand in hand through this vale
of tears. Providence seems to pint its
finger that way" The deacon was
thinking at that very moment of the
money he could save by a thrifty
manager like Miss Keziah in place of
his inefficient, wasteful hired woman.
! Miss KeZiah was dumfounded. She
dropped her knitting, and the ball of
| yarn rolled across the floor "MercyIn
she finally gasped.
I'll make ye first rate husband,
and ye'll make me good wife, We've
been members of the same church for
| thirty years or more, and we've been
members of the same spiritooal family,
well now be members of the same hui
man family"
Miss Keziah straightened herself up
/ in her highbacked chair, and drew in
her chin. while her voice rang out
shriil and clear:
Il rather guess it'll take two to make
that bargain"
A second look at the aged admirer.
who was edging up to her with a
/ sheepish simper, exasperated Miss
+ Keziah bevond control