Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-06-05

have no patience with the people who
are always talking as liza woman
couldn't stand alone and needed
propping up like rag doll that
hadn't any backbone. I'm no vine
or such creeping, helpless thing, l
can tell you. l can stand alone as
well rs anybody if the Lord SO wills
it, altho' admit, Deacon, that it's
pleasanter to have some one keep
your company"
That's jest it; We hev' hit the nail
square on the head! It's pleasanter
to hev' company in our sojourn on
this mortal yearth."
The deacon seized his chair with
both hands, and 10y circuitous line
OF hitching placed it within three
feet of Miss Keziah's table. "Your
n tore-handed woman Miss keziah;
I'm man of prominence and inhu-
ence in this community; it seems to
me that it would be a good thing five
could walk hand-in-hand through this
vale of tears. Providence seems to
pint its finger that way" The dea-
con was thinking that very moment
of the money he would save by a
thrifty manager like Miss keziah in
the place Of his inefficient, wastetul
hired woman.
Miss keziah was dumfounded. She
dropped her knitting aud the ball of
yarn rolled across the floor. "Mer-'
cy," she finally gasped.
"I'll make We n first-rate husband
and yell make me II good wife. We've
been members Of the same church for
thirty years or more, and we've
been members of the same spirtooal
family; We'll now be members of the
same human family"
Miss keziah Strengthened herselfup
in her high-backed chair and drew in
her chin. while her voice rang out
shrill and clear, ~ rather guess it'll
take two to make that bargain"
A second look at the aged admirer,
who was edglng up to her with q
sheepish shipper, exasperated Miss
keziah beyond control.
"The old fool! she said wrathfully.
The color came into the deacon 8
thin cheeks, and he started to his
feet, looking anxiously toward the
door, as ifmeditating hasty retreat.
But the yarn was wound around his
boots, and he was forced to remain.
Miss keziah likewise rose, and fold
ing her hand primely in front of her,
remarked grimly: "When you first be-
gan your talking hadn't the least
idea what you were driving at. l
thought you were limiting at Betsy
Hill and wanted to take me into
your confidence. l never dreamed
that you meant me. Why, sup
posed that everyone in town knew
that would not give up my freedom
for the best man living. Betsy Hill
is pious, likely woman; she'll make
a good home for you, and she needs
home herself"
The deacon was completely wither-
ed, and Miss keziah continued: "If
you'll step around little livelier,
deacon, and pick up the stones in
your lot and put them into good
fences, and NOW down those pesky
weeds, there's no earthly reason why
your farm shouldn't look as we'll
as mine. II I've said anything to
hurt your feelings, deacon, l hope
you'll overlook it. Why you are all
tangled up in that yarn; Flluntangle
it,"
The delay of unwinding the yarn
from the deacon's feet gave Miss
keziah chances for further remark:
Zone word more, deacon, have you
heard about the western lands?"
The deacon wished he was any,
where out of the range OF those mer.
CHESS black eyes.
IL think I've heern tell suthin'
about en-" he replied meekly.
81 thought SO! thought sor' ex-
claimed Miss keziah, savagely.
"Well, deacon, those lands rightiully
belong to my niece Mary; Ionly hold
them as her guardian"
The deacon began to look upon
his rejection as blessing in disguise,
for, without the western lands Miss
keziah's attractions seemed tame
compared with those of mild, blue
eyed. buXom widow Hill. II can
trust you newer to mention this?"
he asked timidly.
81 shall never mentionit. Now fol-
low my advice, deacon; make sure OF
Betsy Hill before another week goes
by. You have lny good wishes. See
to this at once"
"Thank We, thank We: don't mind
if dew"
The good woman followed her
cresttallen visitor to the door. As a
sudden gust of cold night air nut ont
the light, she said: "The air is snap.
ping tonight; have forst, eh, dea.
COMP
And the discounted deacon felt
that he had been nipped by some.
thing sharper than frost.
ANoW Reasonf for an Old Show.