Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-02-28
THE DEACON'S WOOING.

The sun had disappeared behind
the hills of New Bethany and the
lingering light on the mountain tops
was changing from rose to purple
when Deacon Pinch stopped his mel
ancholy old mare in front of the vii
lage Post Office. 1t was Saturday
night, the only time when New Beth
any reused itself from its lethargy
and showed any signs of life and en-
ergy. The rest of the week it drowsed
and languished after the fashion OF
small country towns remote from rail-
way and manufacturing centers.
whoa, Mary Janel" said the dea-
con, with unnecessary emphasis,
throwing the reins on the mares
broad back and springing to the
ground.
But the respondent Mary Jane had
already ceased her shambling gait
from sheer force of habit. y ten
years service with the deacon had
made her perfectly familiar with the
accustomed round of stopping places.
Wednesday night it was prayer-meet-
ing Sunday the church service, and
Saturday night invariably the Post
Office, and, as late variation, an
after pause at the house of Mrs.
Betsy Hill, the milliner, who for q
quarter of a century had supplied the
women of New Bethany with head
gear fearfully and wonderfully made.
The moment the deacon stepped in
side the Office he knew, from the unu-
sual buzz of conversation, that some
thing extraordinary had happened.
Heard the news-eh, deacon?'
asked one of the village loungers.
The deacon looked up inquiringly.
Miss Keziah' shad.an amazin' streak
of luck"
Its been nothing but an amazin'
streak of luck ever since she was
born,n returned the deacon. IF
ownin' the best farm in town and
havin' money at interest isn't luck I'd
like to know what it is.
Yes but this is something out of
common. You used to know her
brother who died years ago and left
his only child for Miss Keziah to bring
up? Wa'al, when the old man Mead
died Miss keziah took the farm as
her share of the property, aud her
brother, bein' of rovin' turn of
mind, took the few thousand of per
sonal property rs his'n and invested
'em in Western lands, which turned
out to be worthless, and he lost every
cent he put in. Folks always blamed
him for bein' so foolish and haSty,
and they say grief and modification
like hastened his death. Wa'al, it
turns out they have put a railroad
square tro' the land, and it's sent real
estate way up, nobody knows where.
Miss Keziah's been offered nigh onto
$4,000 for the lands, and they say will
get ever so much more, if she only
holds on"
You don't mean it"
Il dew; it's as trew as scripture
She'll hold out, never fear said
the deacon, "and | hold it to be our
bounden duty as neighbors to advise
her to that end
Instead of lingering, as usual, for
the village gossip-for New Bethany
Post Office on Saturday night an
swered the purpose Of weekly paper
the deacon seemed in hurry TO get
home.
1t was the night of the choir re-
hearsal, and in driving by the church
he saw Mary Mead, Miss Keziah's
niece, going up the steps. He sud
denly whipped up his sleepy old mare
and drove home at break neck rate
Of speed
When he reached home he drove
the mare under the horse shed and
tied her there, instead of unharness-
ing her, and, swallowing the scanty
supper which the hired woman had
placed before him, donned his best
clothes and drove off again at rapid
pace.
Law sakes alive - exclaimed the
woman, amazed. THE deacon's got
somethin' on his mind, sure It's the
first time l ever knew him to disre'
member to ask blessing"
The idea of failure in his matrimo-
NAL venture never for an instant en-
tered the deacon's head. The way
afore you is as plain and straight as
pipe stem, Solomon Pinch, he mur'
INJURED, rubbing the palms Of his
/ hands together as he walked toward
Miss Keziah's side door. Women Is
mostly alike-eager an wiIlin' to elm
/ brace matrimonial opportunities
/ They'll snap at an offer like hun
grv trout at worm. She has got the
money and | have got the prominence
and influence that's pint not to be
overlooked, and deacons isn't to be
had every day. Put her money and
my influence together, and | rather
guess we'll stand about top of the
! heap i'm New Bethany"
Miss keziah was sitting by the
table knitting, as usual. She had
Just begun to narrow for the toe OF q
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 eye: