Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-11-15
THE DEAcON'S LUCK.

Deacon Wade was hoeing in the
garden, close by the road, on the
morning when the idea came to him
that it would be good plan for him
TO get married again.
The way in which the idea came to
him was this Just as he reached the
end of the row nearest the road some
one said
"Good-morning, Deacon Wade" in
a voice that made him think Of black
birds and bobolinks, and he looked up
to see Rhoda Mason smiling over the
fence at him.
"Good-morning, good-morning, re-
sponded the deacon, delightedly.
Beautiful morning, isn't it?"
Charming" answered Rhoda.
"How's Mrs. Wheelock e? Well, sup
pose?"
"She's gone to her sons again, " an
swered the deacon. "She went yes
terday-some of the children sick, l
believe-so Bob and l are keeping
house alone. I'm getting about tired
Of it, and SOS Bob. He was telling
me this morning that he thought it
would be a good idea for one Of us to
hunt up a new housekeeper, and l
don't know but h. was right"
Pretty Rhoda's face got as rosy as
the blossoms on the damask rose bush
by the gate. The deacon wondered
why he he'd never noticed how pref
ty she was before.
II see you've got nice crop of
strawberries" j." said Rhoda, pretending
to be greatly interested in the long
rows of ripening fruit. "Ours are a
failure this year. Mother said she
didn't believe we'd have enough for a
shortcake."
Il want to know" exclaimed the
deacon. That's too bad, | declare.
Well have more than we can use,
and I'll bring you over some just as
soon as they're ripe enough to pick"
THANK you ever so much, respond
ed Rhoda. II know motherll be glad
to get them. But l must be going,
or l won't get back by dinner time,
and she went her way, leaving the
deacon with a new idea in his head.
81 s'pose folks would say it was
foolish for an old fellow like me to
marry young girl like Rhoda," he
said to himself, as he turned back on
the next row of sweet corn. But
other men, older than l am, marry
young wives; so why shouldn't | ?
We need good housekeeper here.
It's getting so we can't depend on
Mrs Wheelock. She's gone half the
time, aud we're likely to lose her al
together, almost any time. Ofcourse,
folks'll say that Bob ought to get mar
ried instead Of me; but he don't seem
to have any idea in his head. Rhoda' s
a great deal younger than am; but
she's a sensible girl, and I'm sure she d
make good wife. I wonder why I
never thought of it before" D."
The more the deacon thought of it
the more in earnest he got. On Sat-
urday he picked basket of luscious
strawberries, and that afternoon he
took them over to the Mason home
stead.
Il declare, if I amt rather excited, "
said the deacon, as he neared Rhoda S
home, and felt his heart beating quick
and hard. 81 thought I'd got over
that years ago. If l feel this way
now, how'll l feel when l get there ?
Of course I'm not going to propose to
her right away. III just kind o hint
at matters and things, enough to set
her to thinking. 'Tain't best to be in
too great hurry about such things"
Rhoda was sitting on the front
porch, shelling peas. Pretty as she
had looked that morning in the road
side, she looked far prettier to-day,
the deacon thought.
"Oh, you've brought those berries
you promised US, haven't you, cried
Rhoda. "It's so kind ofyou. Moth
er was delighted when l told her
what you were going to do, I'm SO
sorry she isn't at home this afternoon.
She went to call on Mrs. Perkins
she's back you know. But come in
and sit down, and maybe she'll be
back before you go. I hope she will
for l know she'll be real disappointed
to miss your visit.
ooh, that's nothing" said the dea-
con. al can come over again, you
know"
Il wish you would" said Rhoda
Mother was saying that you were