Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-10-16

dead sure let it go in. He heard ii frol
some of your church people, he sait
Must have got you mixed up with some
body else, Sorry il caused you any an
noyance. I'll usake it all right mex
week" And the editor returned To hi
, business, which consisted, just then, O
smoking a cigar and reading a Tat
novel,
The deacon dumped downstairs. hi
contrary Old mind even more rumple,
than when he went up,
"Humph.' he grunted TO himself
They're an impudent set, those news
paper fellows; the whole lot of them
Thought it wasn't true, did he? I'd Ink,
to know what right he had to thinl
it wasn't true"
As the deacon vas crossing the LITTLE
square which formed the business cen
ter of the village, he met Mr.. Wright. E
brother deacon in the church,
We'll, Farnham," exclaimed Deacon
Wright, this is a fine growing day
That's great news Of you in the Chron.
icle. Seen lit"
I've seen that newspaper lie, if that.
what you mean" growled DeaconFarn.
ham.
Deacon Wright laughed.
Brother Little was asking me about
it just now, and | told him there wasn't
a word Of truth in it, and that you'd b.
mighty mad when you saw it. Wonder
where they got hold Of such a yarn, any.
how?'
Deacon Farnham watched his brother
deacon until he disappeared in the gro,
Gerry store. Then he turned slowly and
continued his way.
so he told Little there wasn't any
truth in it," he said to himself. Seems
to me people take a good deal for
granted
That evening, after supper, the dea.
con was strolling about his farm. Sud,
denly the twilight stiffness was broken
by belligerent sounds which seemed tc
proceed from behind the big barn.
fastening to the spot the deacon dis.
covered his Youngest son., a lad Of ii.
in fierce combat with a neighbours
boy.
"Joseph," sternly commanded the
deacon, collaring his son and shaking
him free. What are you thinking of
Haven't l expressly forbidden your
tighting?"
Joseph, ~defenseless in the firm GRASP
OF his father, began to whimper, while
his opponent vanished with remarka.
bic alaerity,
What do you mean, sir? Answer
me- continued Deacon Farnham, civ,
ing his prisoner another shake.
Il wasn't really fighting" pleaded
Joseph. 81 was only punching job
Tucker for saying things about You"
About me? Well, what did he say.I
about me? Out with it,"
Why" stammered Joseph, "he said
there waru't no truth in-in what the
paper said, and | said it want @ n Of
his business if there want, and-and he
said his father said you was too mean
to give a pewter penny, and as for $500
yon couldn't afford it any way"
The deacon let 90 of his sons collar
aud walked away. leaving Joseph much
surprised and relieved as his speedy re
lease.
The deacon's brows were drawn in a
|
heavy scowl. He did not mind being
called mean-he was used to that. but
the last imputatiou ranked in his
breast.
There had always been a slight, I'M
acknowledged jealousy between these
two farmers whose fields lay side by
side.
Mr.. Tucker had contributed 5000 him.
self towards the church funds, and had
received much praise for his act.
so Tucker says | can't afford it,
he muttered to himself. I'D lust like
give him and all these folks who know
50 much a surprise that would make
them talk to some purpose. But it
would be just foolishness and a waste of
money into the bargain. Can't afford it
The deacon chuckled in spite
his wrath. Il could give them some.
thing TO talk about" he repeated.
The next day Mrs. Farnham had an
dinner in order that she might
get cleared up and go 10 the sewing.
When she returned. late in tho
afternoon, her husband was seated in
his accustomed place on the back steps.
The deacon had a profound CONTEMPT
for sewing-circles.
Their tongues 90 Il sight EASTERN
their needles" he often said.
Now he greeted his wife with: well.
Maria, what's the latest gossip"
y tinge of red came into Mrs. Farm.
faded checks. why, Israel."s She
replied, smoothing down her best black
SIX, shiny from long service, 1--WE talked
about a great many things. We smoke
Of the new church."
I'll warrant you did," interruptea
the deacon.
lhey told me that the Chronicle said
given $500 towards the new build.
ng. Did you ever hear such a story?"
"Humph!" responded her husband ,
What did you say?"
Say" answered Mrs. Farnham
why. that there wasn't a word Of -,
ruth in it, of course. | told them Won i
wouldn't hear to the idea a minute. ,
much less give $500, which is a mortal (
light of money! {
Deacon farnham rose to his feet. He
lid not look towards his wife.
Il must say, Maria," he exclaimed
harply, you took a great deal on YOUR.
elf! How do you know but what tbe |
'aper said is true--or going to be?" he =,
-dded to himself; and he walked off
eaving his wife staring after him in :
.umb amazement. !
The next day the deacon stood again
n the editorial office. He seemed y
rifle embarrassed and conscious. and
is efforts to speak in a natural, off. hand t
lanner only resulted in giving his tones l
deeper gruffness. d
Il just dropped in," he said, ito saw
needn't bother about correcting t,
statement in regard to my giving Il
700 to the new church. Just let II stand W
or, II you've got to say any more about il