The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-12-20
'THE DEACON WAS HUGGIN' HIS GAL
barry"

very words. Then 1 says: 'Who wus
the gal?' but it pears he didn't know"
Mrs. Arthur looked puzzled, fol
Deacon Perkins was one of the first mer
in the village, and much respected. She
was certain there was mistake some.
where, and said to Aunt Martha: 81
think it would be we'll not to repeat this
story. Ozro has mistaken some othe,
person for the deacon. i am sure
there isn't word of truth in it."
But Aunt Martha was determined to
sift the matter to the bottom, and an
nounced her intention to put the facts
into the hands of Deacon Ransome, and
to have the ''hypercrite" exposed with
out delay. Intent on this, she resumed
her sunbonnet, and fastened down the
street to the village store, kept by
Deacon Ransome.
The deacon, a pompous little man,
and Aunt Martha were soon in deeI
conversation. There had always been
settled conviction in the deacon's
mind, at least, that the legal profession
would have gained shining light had
he chosen it, rather than the mercantile
one, at the beginning of his career. II
was with inward satisfaction, though
with much outward unwillingness, that
he consented to conduct the investiga
tion that evening. Perhaps a certain
rumor that Deacon Perkins had accused
him of little irregularities" added
slightly to that satisfaction, but it was
noted that he was more than usually ur
| bane the remainder of the day.
1t was also remarked that evening,
how Aunt Martha seated herself di
rectly behind Deacon Ransome, though
her usual place was on the opposite
side of the church. The kindly old
minister opened the services and after
hymn, sung to the good old tune o.
| Federal Street. requested Deacon Per
| kins to lead in prayer. Now was the
time for action; Aunt Martha leaned
forward. and nudged Deacon Ransome
who rose to his feet, saying:
Brethren and sisters, / hev pain
full dooty to perform this evenin', and il
goes agin my feelin's to hev it to do
| but dooty, my brethren. dooty a-a-must
be did. hev charges to bring agains
Brother Perkins. which will make ev'ry
| individool hair to stand on end. He
wuz seen in the very act of kissin', yis
and huggin', think of it. brethren,
girl, who wuz not his wife. Brother
Perkins, it becometh you not to lead II
prayer, with this ere charge hangin
| over your head"
A murmur Of surprise swept through
| the church, Deacon Perkins rose indig
nantly to his feet and was about tt
speak, but was silence by Deacon Ran
some, who waved his hand impatiently
and continued:
"The witness for the persecution viii
now come forward"
Ozro Meachim, sitting in one of the
back pews, stood, but declined to come
forward. Turning slowly around tbs
deacon faced him, and proceeded tt
question him as follows:
young man. did you. or did you not
see the defendant in the aforesaid act%
"Thets so, deacon, can't deny it,"
"Did you, or did you not, declar'
that, to the best Of your ability, 1t WI
not his wife; furthermore, that yo'
didn't know who t'wuz?
"Wal, said as how 1t wasn't hi
wife, and then said didn't know th'
girls name"
"Them two dispositions are identical
young man." said the deacon sternly.
Cant say mitch with yer thar
deacon, l don't know the gals nam'
cause she amt named yit. The deaool
was huggin' an kissin' his gal 6aoy.
The silence for moment was painful
Deacon Ransome dropped into his sea
like stone. A litter, that soon be
came shout, woke the echoes in th'
old meeting-house, in the midst o
which Aunt Martha swooned and Orr
quietly slipped out at the door. IL
needless. to say 'meetin" was not re
sumed that evening.
The good minister took OCCASION sooi
after, to demonstrate with Ozro, on nj
fondness for joking.
"Wal, you see,' the young man re
piled, "Aunt Martha was JUS dyin' 10
some news, and outer charity like, CIV
her some. Jerusha! how 1t stirred 'en
ups. Elizabeth Browne, in Drake
Magazine.