Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-06-05
before Mrs. Betsey Hills house:

mare under the horse shed and tied
her there, instead of embarrassing
her as usual. Then he entered the
house, and hastily swallowing the
scanty supper which the hired woman
placed before him, donned his best
clothes and drove off again vt u rap
id pace. .,
woman, amazed. "The deacon's got
sumthin' on his mind, sure! It's the
first time l ever knew him to disre-
member to ask a blessing"
Ever since the death of his wife
Deacon Pinch had looked on Miss
Keziah as her probable successor.
For years he had gazed with covet-
Gus eyes on the fine Mead farm, with
it's substantial buildings, but he could
never screw his courage up to the
point of fncing the swapping black
eys of it's owner. OF late he had been
seen several times knocking Mt the
door of Mrs. Betsy Hills little brown
house, and the worthy milliner was
overjoyed at the opening of the bril-
liant prospect before her. But the
news OF the sudden rise in western
lands caused Mrs. Hill. with her
small possessions, to sink into in
significance by the side of the rich
woman, with her well-tilled acres,
her. overlooking barns and her pro-
spective thousands of dollars.
The idea of failure in his matrimo-
NAL venture never for a moment en-
tered the deacon's head. 1.-The way
before We is as plain and straight as
u pipe-stem, Solomon Pinch" he
murmured, rubbing the palms of his
hands together. as lie walked to-
gether ward Miss keziah's side door
women is mostly alike-eager
opportunities. They'll snap at an
offer like n hungry trout at a worm
She has got the money and 1 hev
got the prominence and influence to-
and l rather guess we'll stand about
top of the heap in New Bethany.
Miss keziahs was sitting by the
table knitting, as usual. She had
just begun to narrow for the toe 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 on the
amazing spectacle of the deacon in
all the Sunday ma gnificence of white
shirt and shiny black broadcloth.
"Well, l never" she calculated, and
then, feeling that her reception had
been hardly hospitable, she lowered
the lamp and said kindly: "Come in,
Deacon, come in"
"Thank ye, thank We; I don't mind
if dew"
"Take a seat, Deacon"
"Thank you; don't mind if l dew"
The deacon surveyed the attractive
room, which, with it's CHEEKY fire and
comfortable cushioned chairs, seemed
a veritable paradise in comparison
with his untidy, ill-kept home. He
placed his hat on the floor beside his
chair, displaying his scanty gray
locks, ingeniously plastered over the
top OF his head so us to cover as much
of the bald surface as possible. There
was long pause.
Anything going on, Deacon?'
asked Miss keziah, resuming her
knitting. She was greatly puzzled
to account for those Sunday clothes.
"Nothin' within the range of my
observation. There won't be much
a-goin' on now till lection time;
things'll be pretty lively then,''
want to buy any hay this year?'
chirped Miss keziah. mine is extra
good this season; my hired man says
it's the heaviest yield in town."
81 rather guess I'll hav' enough to
carry me thro' the winter. Ill don't
shall know where to come for hay as is
hay. declare your farm does beat all!
/ feel kind O rugged like when l think
the best farm in town is managed by
a woman"
Miss keziah smiled gracious sly, and
the Deacon drew his chair a little
nearer his hostess. at must he a
great load for We to carry alone.
Such a large farm is tremendous
responsibility for alone woman"
80, ! don't mind it; it keeps me
proper busy
The deacon hitched his chair along
a few inches further. "Ye'd oughter
hav' brother or cousin, or some
relative like, to share the burden with
ye."
"My shoulders are plenty strong
returned Miss Keziah, good-naturely.
Pm glad to show folks that there
are women who are good for some.
thing besides giddy-gadding and tat.
Ting"
"Iis, yis," answered the deacon,
Eve can all testify toyour valley and
worth. You're real honor to your
sex. Iou're-you're bright and
shinin' beacon-light tc the tritiin' and
vainminded women of the world"
and the speaker waved his hand at
the conclusion of this little oratorical
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