The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-10-22

somewhere and said to Aunt Martha:
81 think it would not be we'll to re-
peat this story. Ozro has mistaken
some other person for the deacon /
am sure there isn't word OF truth in
it,"
But Aunt Martha was determined
to slit the matter to the bottom and
announced her intention to put the
facts in the hands OF Deacon Ransome
and have the "hypercrit" exposed
without delay. Intent on this she re-
sumed her sunbonnet and FASTENED
down the street to the village store
kept by Deacon Ransome.
The Deacon, pompous little man,
and Aunt Martha were soon in deep
conversation. There had always been
a settled conviction in the Deacon's
mind, at least, that the legal profess
sion would have gained a shining light
had he chosen it rather than a mer-
camille one at the beginning of his
career 1t was with inward satisfac.
ton, though with much outward un-
willingness, that he consented to con-
duct the investigation that evening.
Perhaps q certain rumor that
Deacon Perkins had accused him OF
little irregularities" added slightly
to that satisfaction, but it was
noticed thai he was more than usual
ly urbane the remainder OF the
day.
It was also remarked that evening
how Aunt Martha seated herself Gi.
rectly behind Deacon Ransome,
though her usual place is on the other
side of the church. The kindly old
minister opened the services, and
after hymn, sung to the good old
tune of ''Federal Street," requested
Deacon Perkins 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, I hev pain
full dooty to perform this evenin', and
it goes agin my feelin's to hev tito do,
but dooty, my brethren, dooty, a-a-
must be did. I hev charges to bring
against Brother Perkins, which will
make ev'ry individool hair to stand
on end. He wuz seen in the very act
OF kissin', yis, an huggin', think OF it,
brethren, a girl who was not his wife.
Brother Perkins, it becometh you not
to lead in prayer with this ere charge
hangln' over your head" u.s.
A murmur Of surprise swept through
the church. Deacon Perkins arose in
dignantly to his feet and was about to
speak, but was silenced by Deacon
Ransome, who waved his hand impa-
tiently and continued:
'"The witness for the prosecution
will now come forward" s.- I'D. o.
Ozro Meachim, sitting in one of the
back pews, stood, but declined to
come forward. Turning slowly around
the Deacon faced him and proceeded
to question him, as follows: -s0sEs
'YOung man, did you or did you
not, see the defendant in the aforesaid
act?' ~. =.
"Thet's so, deacon; can't deny it."
"Did you, or did you not declare
tibet, to the best OF your ability, it
wuz not his wife; furthermore, that
you didn't know who't wuz?"
oval, said as how it wasn't his
wife and I said I didn't know the
girls name" -s-
."Them two dispositions are identi-
cal, young man," said the Deacon,
sternly.
"Can't say I hitch with yer thar,
deacon. don't know the gals name
cause she amt named yit. The
deacon was a-huggin' an kissin' his
gal baby"
The silence FIR a moment was pain
full. Deacon Ransome dropped into
his seat like a stone. A litter. that
soon became a shout, woke the echoes
in the old Westinghouse, in the midst
OF which Aunt Martha swooned and
Ozro quietly slipped out at the door.
1t is needless to say "meetin'' was
not resumed that evening.
The good minister took occasion
soon after to demonstrate with Ozro
on his fondness for joking.
oval, you see," the young man re-
piled, "Aunt Martha was JUS a-dyin'
for some news, and outer charity like
[ give her some. Jerusha! how it
stirred 'em up!'-Drake's Magazine