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

& TIE DEACON'S =. !
\ @DONATION. +;
4 BY MARY E. MITCHELL.
SSseeeeseeeeeesesessssesE

We'll, Brother Farnham," the min
lister exclaimed, seizing his hand, II
am glad to see you! My heart has been
full of surprise and gratitude all day.
It's blessed thing you've done, deacon,
blessed thing; and your reward will
be rich one, am sure"
The deacon looked dazed
Il don't take in your meaning, Mr..
I.add," he said, rescuing an unwilling
hand from the minister's embarrassing
grasp.
"0h, now, deacon" went on Mr.. Ladd,
his ardor in nowise dampened. You
needn't pretend you don't know what
mean. You can't hide good deed like
this; its light will shine. Every body
knows ii by this time, and, best of all,
the Lord knows it, deacon, and He'll
bless you. l. just wanted to get in my
personal thanks. Don't say word,'
and the minstre was off before the un-
comprehending deacon could gather
his scattered wits.
by 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
II with great deliberation and force.
Now, what's the parson got into his
head@' he went on to himself, as he
walked up the path which led to his
house. 1T beats me! Il can't be that
mess of pease | sent him he's so ever
lastingly grateful for-bringing in the
Lord in that way"
Down in Deacon Farnham's heart
was the consciousness that no one, not
even the minister, could be very CRATE
full for those tough old peas, the last
product OF the vines.
I'D like to know what he was at"
he continued. stopping to wipe his moist
forehead.
But the question was too puzzling,
and 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
a comfortable reading of the weekly
news, letting the minister and his mys-
terious gratitude drop out of his mind,
as subject too exciting for the warm
day.
All about him stretched his broad
fields, bearing promise Of full harvest,
and his green orchards. laden with rich
abundance of young fruit. The whole
farm bore witness to unstnted care
and consequent prosperity.
Back of the deacon was the kitchen,
large and bare, but scrubbed and
secured until the sunshine, pouring
into the west windows, could disclose
no trace of dirt nor speck of dust.
The deacon did not believe in any SUI
perfiuities in housekeeping arrange
ments. There was nothing to soften
the evidence of labor here.
On the farm, work was repaid by
beauty as well as profit The plowed
earth was soon hidden by waving grain.
and the spaded soil brought forth green
plants and graceful vines.
Mrs. Farnham's kitchen toll received
no such reward. The result was merely
that the room was clean; it remained
uncompromisingly bare
The afternoon air was hot and heavy.
the drone of the bees drowsy. and Dea-
con Farnham's head went on involun-
tary little journeys as he sat on the
step with the paper in his hand. The
Chronicle drooped lower and lower, and
would have fallen from his grasp had
not his eye, in one of his lucid mo-
ments, caught sight of something which
caused him to bring back his wander
ing head with jerk and startled him
into wide wakefulness.
1t was his own name which so aroused
HIM. and he adjusted his spectacles and
Strengthened his paper.
1T has reached our editorial ears that
Deacon Farnham. of Upland farm has do
mated the generous sum of $500 towards the
building of the new Congregational
church. Minister Ladd is to be congratu-
lated on being able to count such liberal
and public-minded parishioner as one of his
flock"
The deacon laid down his paper with
sniff of disgust.
$50 that's lit" he said, aloud. "Of all
the fools!" And he struck his fist on
his knee.
deacon's mind than to give one cent
towards the building of the little
church. to say nothing of 5000.
Not but that he could afford it: the
deacon was well off," but he was also
"close." Little of the profit which so
readily flowed into his pocket was ever
bestowed in free and ungrudging gifts.
Only the necessities of life found their
way into his household, and the neigh
bors spoke pityingly of Mrs. Farnham;
she had so little to "do with"
Furthermore, if a fit of generosity
had chanced to come over the deacons
spirit, the new church building down
I'm the village was not likely to receive
the benefit of il. He had shown no in
terest in its erection from the very first.
The old meeting house was dilapidated
and fast falling into decay, but the dea-
con could not see any reason for for
saking it.