The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1897-10-08

persons, and / guess He amt of places.
What's good enough for Him is good
enough for me-"
After that there was nothing more to
be said, for the deacon was we'll known
to be obstinate, and any prolonged ar
gument only served to stiffen his con-
viction.
So the church had to go ahead without
any help from its senior deacon, but the
work on the little structure did not pro-
ceed rapidly, for the funds were small
and slow in coming.
Il believe he's real pleased when the
work has 10 be stopped" walled Mrs.
Farnham, whose very heart was in the
progress of the new church.
No wonder the deacon's irritation
grew as he reread the startling an
nouncement of the Chronicle
We'll, I'll have that settled before the
sun goes down. he exclaimed, rising to
his feet. Guess l better put this where
Maria won't get hold of it," he added
folding the paper carefully and return
ing it to his pocket. She's dead set on
that foolishness. Maria isl
A few moments later Deacon Farm
ham was climbing the steep and dusty
steps which led to the office of the
Greenville Weekly Chronicle. He found
the editor at his desk, in his shirt
sleeves, taking life easy.
We'll, Deacon Farnham, this is an un-
expected pleasure! Sit down." was his
greeting.
Look here, young mani" puffed the
deacon, out of breath from the exertion
of climbing, but refusing the proffered
chair, you're getting altogether
too smart in that paper of yours-mak-
ing free with my name in that style"
"Oh, you mustn't be so modest, dea-
con. A good deed like that ought to be
known"
This Interpretation of his protest was
unexpected TO the deacon, and he had to
begin again:
Il don't know what idiot told you that
stuff, but it's a lie, and you can take il
back in your next. When | give 5000
which won't be soon-it'll be some
where else than to that church folly.
y
dicted in your next"
Certainly, Deacon Farnham,' replied
the editor, in cool contrast to the dea-
cons irritation. II thought at the time
1T must be mistake, but Totem was so
dead sure let ii go in. He heard ii from
some of your church people, he said.
Must have got you mixed up with some
body else. Sorry it caused you any an
noyance. I'll make it all right next
week" And the editor returned to his
business, which consisted, just then, of
smoking a cigar and reading late
novel
The deacon clumped downstairs, his
contrary old mind even more rumpled
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 like
to know what right he had to think
it wasn't true"
AS the deacon was crossing the little
square which formed the business cen
ter of the village, he met Mr.. Wright, a
brother deacon in the church.
well, Farnham," exclaimed Deacon
Wright, this is fine growing day.
That's great news of you in the Chron-
icle. Seen i'll"
I've seen that newspaper lie, il that's
what you mean," growled Deacon Farm
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 be
mighty mad when you saw it, Wonder
where they got hold of such 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.
$50 he told Little there wasn't any
truth in it'll" he said to himself. Seems
to me people take 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 to
proceed from behind the big barn.
fastening TO the spot the deacon dis
covered his youngest son, lad of IL,
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 | expressly forbidden your
fighting?"
Joseph, defenseless in the firm grasp
of his father, began to whimper, while
his opponent vanished with remarka-
BILE alacrity.
what do you mean, sir? Answer
mel" continued Deacon Farnham, Civ
ing his prisoner another shake.
Il wasn't really fighting" pleaded
Joseph. Il was only punching Job
Tucker for saying things about you"
About me? Well, what did he say
about me? Out with it,"
why" stammered Joseph, "he said
there warn't no truth in--in what the |
paper said, and l said it want none of !