The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-02-02

"Mcbbc we might git Brother
Johns Widder awhile"
"Can't," said viii, promptly; "she
isn't at home"
"lhcn its no use going for her."
groancd the deacon.
"Not the least" replied Will "By
the way, when | came by the Danes
place, Dolly came down to the gate
and said her Aunt Serena was coming
over here this afternoon"
"Comin' here this artcrnoon?p
echoed the deacon. dts about that
fencin', s'posc."
NO" said VIII, 81 guess not--I
think-I-ihat is" then desperately,
otis leap year, you know"
"And what cf it 'lis?' qucricd the
deacon, oblusely.
Nothing only well, l heard Miss
Dame said she'd good mind to take
advantage Of it's being leap year.
You see, she's plagued about getting
help and her farm docs need a man to
overlook it,"
"William," said the deacon, blush
ing like school girl, "you don't
never mean"--
81 do, too,' returned Will, not
daring to meet the deacon's eye.
"Wcll, that beats all"
But Win was already out of hear
ing, having gone to the woodshed,
where he was alternately splitting
wood and chuckling with laughter at
the "good joke he imagined he had
OH the Deacon. For he knew we'll the
mans nature. Dashful to tho last de-
gree In the company of the opposite
sex, the mere idea that Miss Serena
might be coming with matrimonial in
teniions was enough to overwhelm
him with confusion.
Meanwhile Miss Serena, having flu
ished her dinner, thought she'd "bet-
ter set of at once, not thinking BEST"
as she informed Dolly, "to give the
Deacon tcw long timo TO think it
over and set his price"
So from his window, the Deacon,
who was ncrvously watching the road
with sinking heart, soon perceived
Miss Serena steadily approaching. In
deed, had it not been for his lamcncss,
am not sure but ho would have
taken ANONYMOUSLY TO flight. AS it
was, he felt he must 'face the situ-
alton"
"lIow do ye dew, Dcacon?" was
Miss Serena's salutation, as she cor
daily shook his gingcrly outstretchcd
hand.
"Good AFTERNOON, Miss Dame;
won't yc hev cheer?"
"Thank ye," said she, al can't
stop to set long, though l amt i'll no
great of hurry, either, but seein' as
| cum on bizncss, l might rs we'll
cum tcw the pint!" The Deacon
WINGED, and Miss Serena, msiaking
the expression for u spasm of PAIN.
exclaimed: "Your foot's powerful
bad; ain't il, Deacon?"
"Considerable So" the deacon adj
mittcd.
"What air YOU usin' on it?" i'll
quircd Miss Serena.
ave been victim it i'll this I'M
mont William got to the village"
'Pothccary sluf,' said she, sniff
fling at it contcmptuously; "hev ye
got any arniky flowers in tho
house?"
The deacon thought likely thar
might be some somewhar, and. having
procured them, Miss Serena
"rcck'ncd she'd better lay off her bon
nit and shawl and set 'cm steepin." :"
"How long afore you expect Mary
Jane back?' asked she.
81 can't tell" said the deacon, "fur
her mothers took down with scia''N
roomatiz and thars no KNOWN when
she can get away"
"Wcu, you air mfortinit'" eX-
claimed Miss Serena; "sec'n's Ill mere
I'll tidy up bit for yc'
So, little thinking the words she hao
spoken in Jest to her niece that morn
ing had reached the deaco"s ears sno
sct % work and soon restored the
household to its wontcd order
..Thar, now," said she, shaking UP