The morning call., 1893-09-24
WOULDN'T TRADE ON SUNDAY
But the Deacon Knew How to Whip
the Devil Around a Post.
Lewiston Journal

A Portland (Me.) man went up IN the country
10 buy horse recently. 1t was on a Sunday,
by the way, the only day that the busy citizen
could spare from his occupation. He had no
definite idea just where he was going, but he
had his eye out for anything ON four legs that
looked promising. Finally as he drove along
pretty country highway, be espied three
horses in small stabe-yard. He drove and
hitched his steed ana leaned upon the fence,
looking the stock over. One young mare al
tracted his attention especially, and he was ad-
miring her when the house door opened and an
old man OF very trim cOuntenance came OUT
There were The usual preiminaries about the
weather and then the farmer asked: Look
ing for anything particular?'
"Well. want to buy a horse, and 1 must
confess like the looks OF that mare there very
much. What Is your price?"
Tut, tut. L never do business on the Lords
day. Why, sir I'm deacon in the church,
and whatever else l may do l Will not profane
the Lords day by buying and selling Why,
sir, seems as though all you city folks wanted
10 come out here ana dicker on Sunday"
he turtland man commenced to feel
ashamed before the grave gray eyes OF this ola
man. The farmer continued
isn't there one day that you can rest from
your everlasting trading? Now, last Sunday
man came along here-Said he was from Port
land-and he offered 5000 for that mare. Dear
me; ridiculous! Why. she's worth-I mean
scandalous-to talk trade on the sabbath. Two
hundred dollars can never buy her. Why she
can show a two-tut, tut, mean shall show
any one the door who comes round here talk
ihS tduS Ou NO OHcusS u you,
mister. | see you take quite an interest In the
mare. You won't find better one round here,
Pll tell you that We had little brush on the
road day before yesterday and | cleaned 'em
GU and--l consider that the least that man
can do Is 10 keen from trading horses on Sun
day. III a man should offer me $3.50 to-day (Sun-
day. l wouldn't look at him; no, sir, /
wouldn't"
The Portland man gravey took out his
pocket book-he told Journal man this for a
fact-and. opening it, laid lt on the fence. Then
he mOlSfPned his tlumb and fOrpfinpar m
paying the least attention 10 the farmer he
counted out S225, doubled it up aud advanced
toward the deacon. The latter danced Ick.
ward, Tapping his hands deprecatingly like a
great shanghai aud eXpostulatng earnestly.
The visitor used and impressveIy added a
$40 bill to the wad, while the cleaning eyes
regarded him intentiy; ne walked plumb Il pto
the deacon. grabbed his hand and attempted to
cram The money into the broad palm. The dea-
con wouldn't allow it-no, not he. He backed
away toward The yard, unfastened the gate and
came out, a halter in his hand. Said hi, with a
qurer gruffness:
"Pve good mind to order you off tie prem
ises. / see you're determined to steal the MARI.
You're bigger'n am and don't know as can
help myself. but II you're bound TO do il
s'pose you'll steal this halter, too"
The old man had whirled around hi$ back to
the visitor. He held his great hand behind his
back, palm upward. and the fingers were wrig-
CLING like iobster's claws. The Portland man
tiptoed up, jammed the money into the itching
behind his carriage. All this time hewa get
ting good deacon's opinion of a graceless
scamp who would steal horse from defense
less man on Sunday.