The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-10-15
ossSSSSS 2 S'1'S'SS'SSSl
4 THE DEACON'S :. S
4 IDONATl S
\ BY MARY G. MITCHELL.
N-nSSSGGSGGG SGGSSSSGGE

ruE minister met the deacon just as
.ho latter was opening his small
..woII Brother Farnham," the min
acclaimed, Selling his hand, II
ls.e clad to see you! My heart has been
am in Of surprise and gratitude all day.
iun n blessed thing you've done, deacon,
j. h,sssed thing; and your reward will
- rich one, am sure.
The eacon looked dazed.
81 amt take in your meaning, Mr..
,.ddrhe said, rescuing an unwilling
- rom the minister's embarrassing
grast ,oooon /. ,ven,o Mn1,aa
=. lrdor in nowise dampened. You
INT pretend you don't know what 1
Ian. You can't hide good deed like
IS: its light will shine. Everybody
lows It by this time, and, best of all,
be Lord knows it, deacon, and He'll
Mess YOU. | just wanted to get in my
Personal thanks. Don't say a word"
and the ministre was off before the un-
comprehending deacon could gather
his scattered wits.
.Bv gum!" he calculated, as he looked
after the minister's retreating form.
This was the strongest expletive Dea-
con Farnham ever allowed himself, and
when he made use of it he produced
h with great deliberation and force.
Now. what's the parson got into his
bead?" he went on to himself, as he
walked up the path which led to his
house. ut beats me! It can't be that
mess of. pease | sent him he's so ever
astingly grateful for-bringing in the
ord in that way"
But the question was too puzzling.
bnd he gave it up before he reached his
door.
The deacon sat down on the kitchen
stoop and took the Greenhill Chronicle
from his pocket. He put his straw hat
on the step beside him and settled for
comfortable reading of the weekly
news, letting the minister and his mys-
erious gratitude drop out of his mind.
Is subject too exciting for the warm
Jay.
All about him stretched his broad
felds, bearing promise of full harvest,
md his green orchards, laden with rich
bundance of young fruit. The whole
arm bore witness to unstinted care
bid consequent prosperity
The afternoon air was hot and heavy,
be drone of the bees drowsy. and Dea-
bn Farnham's head went on involun-
Dry little journeys as he sat on the
Pep with the paper in his hand. The
Ehronicle dropped lower and lower, and
ould have fallen from his grasp had
pt his eye, in one of his lucid mo-
ents, caught sight of something which
nused him to bring back his wander
rs head with a jerk and startled him
BIO wide wakefulness.
II was his own name which so aroused
IN, and he adjusted his spectacles and
frightened his paper.
Tt has reached our editorial ears that
bacon Farnham of Upland farm, has do
ted the generous sum of 5000 towards the
Hiding of the new Congregational
uiSH' MINISTER lJduu is TO De cOnGratu-
FED on being able to count such liberal
ck." 90 O''e u '''
The deacon laid down his paper with
snitf of disgust.
$50 that's It'll" he said, aloud. "Of all
he fools!" And he struck his fist on
i knee.
Nothing could be further from the
Racons mind than to give one cent
wards the building of the little
zurich, to say nothing of 5000.
Not but that he could afford it; the
acon was well off" but he was also
ose'" Little of the profit which SO
Polly flowed into his pocket was ever
stowed in free and ungrudging gifts.
ply the necessities of life found their
L into his household. and the neigh
rs spoke pityingly of Mrs. Farnham;
had so little to do with"
Furthermore, if fit of generosity
CHANGED to come over the deacon's
rit, the new church building down
X the village was not likely to receive
benefit of it. He had shown no in
est in its erection from the very first.
L old meeting house was dilapidated
fast falling into decay, but the dea-
z could not see any reason for for
- hing ii.
No wonder the deacon's irritation
ew as he reread the startling an
nncement of the Chronicle.
EWell, I'll have that settled before the
l. NJ goes down." he exclaimed, rising to
= feet. Guess better put this where
s ria won't get hold of it," he added,
EA. ping the paper carefully and return
j. to his pocket. She's dead set on
toolishness. Maria is
few moments later Deacon Farm
was climbing the steep and dusty
s which led to the office of the
enyille Weekly Chronicle. He found
editor at his desk. in his shirt
yes, taking life easy.
Il wen, Deacon Farnham, this is an I'M
eeted pleasure! Sit down" was his
citing.
+ look here, young mani" pulled the
+ eon, out of breath from the eXertion
lmbing. but refusing the proffered
|0 you're getting altogether
= smart in.that paper of yours-mak-
lree with my name in that style"
ph you mustn't be so modest, dea-
| - A good deed like that ought to be
1Hn."
- is Interpretation of his protest was
Wpected to the deacon. and he had to