The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-03-11

70 nev your way, ana you've got 10 nev
mine, so it's pooty clear that shall fiog
you to rope-yard, or else you'll hev tc
make b'lieve my ways yourn, whichl
suit all round. So you see, Psrson
Pitcher, | want a-goin' to put myself In
way to quarrel with the Lords will
agiu, and l don't expect you to hey nc
such trouble with me twice as you've
he'd since Miss Eunioo up an died. j
swan I'll give up reasonable next time,
seeiu' it's Sallw
Hardly could Parson Pitcher stand
this singular creed of doctrine, or tho
shrewd and self-satisfed, yet honest,
oppression of face with which Josh
.cict.ued his argument Processing him
c,r lu great haste TO study, he promised
10 publish ae weijas to marry Josh and,
when his odd pgrishioner was out of
hearing, indulgcd himself with % long
fit of laughter. Observation-Disclosures,
over Josh's patent Christiauizcr
Great was the establishment of the
whole congregation on Sunday, when
Joshs sintguti0ns were given from the
pulpit; and strangely mixed and hesi-
tating the congratulations he received
,he following week. Parson Pitcher
took a curious interest i'm the success of
joshs project; and had toaclnowledge
its beneficial effects, rather against his
viii.
Sail Ran was the best of house-keep-
ers. as scolds are apt to be- or is it in
reverse that the rule began? She kept
the farmhouse Quakerly clean. and
every garment of her husbands S scrupu-
lously mcnded and refreshed; but if the
smallest profanity escaped Uncle Josh's
lips, he did indeed 'hcar thunder 50
and, with the ascetic devotion of a
Guyonist, he endured every obiurgatory
torrent TO the end, though his soft and
kindly heart would now and then cringe
and quiver in the process.
1t was all for his good, he often said
and by the time Sail Ran had been in
Miss Eunice's place for an equal term
of years, Uncle Josh had become so
mild-spolen so kind. so meek that
surely his dead wife must have reioiced
over it in heaven, even as his brethren
did on earth.
And now came the crowniug honor OF
his life. Uncle Josh was made a deacon.
Sail celebrated the event by new black
silk frock and asked Parson Pitcher
home to tea, as is the great glory of "a
New England housekeeper. Pies, pre-
serves, cake, biscuit, bread, short-cake,
cheese, honey, fruit, and cream were
pressed, and pressed again upon the
unlucEy purson till he was quite in the
condition of Charles Lamb and the om-
nibus, gladly saw the signal of retreat
from the table, he withdrawing himself
to the bench on the stoop, to breathe
the odorous June air, and talk over
matters and things with Deacon Josh,
while "MFs Crane cleared off"
Long and piously the two worthless
talked, and at length came brief pause
broken by Josh.
''Well, Parson Pitcher, that are
| call5erlation of mine about Sail die
come out nigh onter right, didn't it?"
Yes, indeed, my good friend" re
turned the parson; "the trial she has
been to you has been really blessed, anC
shows most striloingly the use of discip
line in this life
''Yes,' said Josh, ''if Miss Eunice haC
| lived, / don't know but what I Should 3;
been a swearin' man to this day; bu
Sail, she's rated it out of me; and In
gettin' real resigned, too"
The meek complacency of the confes
sion still cleaned in Uncle Josh's eye
as he went in to prayers, but Sail Rar
looked redder than the crimson peonies
on her posy-bed.
ParsOn Pitcher made an excellent
prayer, particularly descanting- on the
use of trials and when he came to al
| end and rose to say good night, Mrs
| Crane had wants he'd, so he had to gC
home without taking leave of her
| Strange TO say, during the following
year a rumor crept through the village
| that "Blrs. Deacon Crane had not beer
heard to scold once for months; that
she even held her tongue under provo
cation; the LAST fact being immedi
ately put to test by a few evil
minded and investigating boys who
proceeded to pull her fennel bushes
through the pic5ets, and nip tn,
I yellow heads receiving for their auda
cious thieving no more than a mild re
quest not to ''do that " which actually
shamed them into apologizing.
With this confirmation, even Parso1
Pitcher began to be credulous of report
and sent directly for Deacon Crane t.
| visit him.
"How's your wife, deacon?" said tn
parson, as soon as Josh was fairl.
seated in the study.
"Weu, Parson Pitcher, she's most on
sartainly changed. l dom believe She
got riled more'n once, or gin it to mt
once, for six months
every singular.' said Parson Pitcher
81 am glad for both of you; but wha
seems to have wrought upon her?'
''Weu." said Uncle Josh, with clea
| glitter in his eye, II expect She must =
ben to the winder that night you'n 1 so
tllllin' on che stOop about 'lictions an,
/ her; for next day ! stumbled and split
| lot o new milk on the kitchen floor
| that alters riled her; so began to sa,
oh, dear, I'm sorry Sallp when sh
| ups right away, and SEE, sez she-'Yof
/ han't no need to be slleered, Josh Crane
you've done with 'fictions in thi
/ world; l shant never scold you no more
/ . - l.. J l. L