West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-07-20
THE DEACoN's coURrsHIp.


| nv MRS. L. u. A. srrrTff.
Poor Deacon Brown, In the prime OF life.
Had buried his loved aud loving wife
And what In the world could the deacon do
With four small boys. and baby toof
Joseph and Jesse Isaac and Paul,
And none but the deacon to do Il all
SO he said to his neighhor. Jones, one day,
In "a semi serious kind OF a way,
II tell you, Jones, I am sick indeed
OF the lonely. humdrum life lead:
IL would brighten the gloom of my lonely lifc
II only-well, II had a wife
And then. my friend. you are we'll aware.
That my poor little babes need mothers care
" knew of woman. kind and good.
rhat would care for thom as u mother should,
Why. neighbor Jones, would give my life,
but where, oh where can iind a wlfei
There Is widow Smith. bnt don't you SEQ,
She isn't the woman at all for me.
, do no. care Tor pretty face,
lovely maid with form OF grace:
But give nae woman OF common sense.
Aud not a miserable bill Of expense
Hearty and rugged, and ready 10 work,
Never complaing. OF trying TO shirk;
One who can go, II the need demands,
Out In the field with the harvest hands,
And wouldn't consider Il out OF her place;
Oh wouldn't girc mach for n pretty Juce"
We'll, deacon" said Jones, with comical
sigh.
While n bushel OF fun twiakled right In his eve.
II know Of woman, you may depend,
Who will make you a tip-top wife. my friend
she lives IN the borders OF Barrytown;
And I'm sure she will suit yeu, Deacon Brown
She's not very handsome, but then suppose
That You don't care a cent for the length of her
nose,
Nor for the cut of the ady's clothes.
She Is always ready 20 do the chores
Or work on the farm, with the mon out doors
When help Is needed you understand--
Samantha Simpkins Is right on hand"
Indeed" said the deacon. IN friendly tones,
I'm Much oBLEKoED to ye-farmer Jones'"
Tho very next sunday, Deacon Brown,
Drove In his carriage TO Barrytown;
And yon may be sure that the deacon dressed.
In his new plug hat. and hts sunday best;
lie had spent an hour. dyeing his hair.
And he'd shaved his chin with the greatest care
For" he said TO himself, as he drove away,
we ought To dress well on the sabbath day. -
The day was warm-and twas rather late
When he tied his horse at samanth9s gate.
This here Is splendid ~ the deacon said,
As he cast glance al the barn and shod
''Tbe house looks neat, and the yard Is clean,
And the farm Is the sLEEKEsr that can be seen. /"
And he wiped the sweat from his dripping brow
"Ah 'hfs is the woman for me- I trOw :"
Thon his heart beat hard. and he said mo- more,
And he gently knocked at the parlor door,
He heard rush. and a heavy tread.
II guess it'sz man." the deacon said.
Then the door was hastily opened wide
And the frightened deacon stood beside
A swarthy dame that was six feet tive,
Who spOried neither boot OF shoe.
She wore on her head. broad-brimrned hat,
old and battered, and worn at that
Her nose was long. and her eyes were black
And her coarse dark hair hang over her back
She had just come In from hee well-kept farm
And she carried pitch.fork under her arm.
Il beg Donr PdrdiuO :" the deacon said,
His voice was faint, and his face was rcd
II beg your pardng," continued he.
"It Is Miss Samantha I'd like To see"
VAL" said Samanthl--"that Is me
presume you've called to see the hay
offered for sale the otAerda
The deacon didn't Know what to say,
or how In the world 20 get away.
"S"V. 'rh0t De DoW iranf ofmc q" She cried.
And she stepped right up 10 the doaeon's side
"NofhiHg," he said. with charming grace
And she slammed the door In the dsacon's 3 face
The wonder Is that he didn't fall,
For he won't through the gate Ike a cannon bali
And when. at last he was safe from ha m,
Half mile from the simpkins farm,
He said TO himself in smothcicd tones,
"If ever again that wicked Jones
Crosses my path will break his honest
And though II May seem to be ont OF place.
shall lsOk for wife 'rifL pretty Iace.'