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

TIE DEAC0NS W001NG.
The sun had disappeared behind the
hills of New Bethany and the linger-
ing lights on the mountain tops were
changing from rose TO purple, when
Deacon Pinch stopped his melancholy
old mare in front of the village post
Office. 1t was Saturday night, the
only time when New Bethany reused
itself from its lethargy and showed
any signs of life and energy. The rest
of the week il drowsed and languished
after the fashion of small country
towns remote from railway and manu-
featuring centers.
Whoa, Mary janet" said the dea-
con with unnecessary emphasis,
throwing the reins on the mares broad
back, and springing to the ground.
But the respondent Mary had al
ready ceased her shambling gait from
sheer force of habit. A ten years SER
vice with the deacon had made her
perfectly familiar with the accustomed
round of stopping places. Wednesday
night it was prayer meeting; Sunday
the church service; and Saturday
night invariably the postoflice, and,
as late variation, an after pause at
the house of Mrs. Betsey Hill, the
mllliner, who for a quarter of a cen
tury had supplied the women of New
Bethany with headgear 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, deacong'
asked one of the village loungers.
Tho 1anarNRa lS,SNlyeI
Miss Keziah's s had an amazin' streak
of luck"
Its been nothing but an amazin'
streak of luck ever since she was
born, returned the deacon. IF own
in the best farm in town and hevia'
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 bro
ther who died years ago and left his
only child for Miss Keziah to bring
up2 Wa'al, when the old man Mead
died, Miss Keziah took the farm as her
share of the property, and her brother,
bein' of rovin' turn of mind. took the
few thousand of personal property as
his'n, and invested 'em in western
lands, which turned out TO be worth
less, and he lost every cent he put in.
Folks always blamed him for bein' so
foolish and hasty, and they say grief
| and modification alike fastened his
death. Wa'al, it turns out that they
put a railroad square thro' the lands,
and its sent real estate way up no
body knows where. Miss Keziah's
been offered nigh onto IS, 600 for the
lands, and they say she'll get ever so
much more if she only holds on"
You don't mean it2'
II dew; it's as trew as Scripture"
She'll hold out, never fear" said
the deacon, land | 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 answered the
purpose of a weekly paper-the dea-
con seemed in great hurry to get
home
1t was the night of the choir rehear-
sal, and in driving by the church he
saw Mary Mead, Miss Keziah's niece,
going up the steps. He suddenly
whipped up his sleepy old mare and
drove home at breakneck rate of
speed.
''Now's your time, Solomon Pinch,
he muttered to himself. Its mebbe a
long while afore yell hev such good
alone for a couple of hours or so-hi,
old ladyl no stoppin' here tonight"
he added, giving the lines sudden
twist as Mary Jane showed an incli-
nation TO stop before Betsey Hills
house; we've other fish to fry, now.
old GAL"
When he reached home he drove
the 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 at rapid
pace,
Law sakes aliveln exclaimed the
woman, amazed. 1.-THE deacon's got
sumthin' on his mind surel Its the
first time l ever knew him to disre-
member to ask blessing"
Ever since the death of his wife
Deacon Pinch had looked on Miss Ke-
ziah as her probable successor. For
| years he had gazed with covetous eyes
on the fine Mead farm, with its sub
stantial buildings, but he never could
screw his courage up to the point of
facing the swapping black eyes of its
owner. OF late he had been seen
several times knocking at the door of
Mrs. Betsey Hills little brown house,
and the worthy milliner was over
joyed at the opening of the brilliant
prospect before her But the news of
the sudden rise in western lands
caused Mrs. Hill, with her small pos
sessions, to sink into insignifcance by
the side of the rich woman with her
well titled acres, her eroverhowing barns
and her prospective thousands of dol
lars.
The idea of failure in his matrimo-
nial venture never entered the deacon's
head. The way afore ye is as plain
and straight as pipe stem, Solomon
Pinch, he murmured, rubbing the
palms of his hands together, as he
walked toward Miss Keziah's side door.