The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-08-28
And still no answer

And still no answer.
The deacon did not call again. but |
started briskly for the stables. his
heavy boot heels making dark half
circles In the light frost that covered
the ground. He was surprised again
to find the heavy doors thrown wide
open to the morning Dreezrs Sounds !
were Issuing from within. and rs he
paused he heard his brother Jorrs |
voice lifted In song. the rhythm punctu
ated by the steady "swish" OF milk |
against the bottom and sides OF the
tin milk can.
The absolute unexpectedness Of the
situation caused the deacon to hesitate
In doubt moment on the threshold.
Bending slightly forward and listening
attentively, he managed to catch the
words:
| Bet my money on the old bay mare,
Somebody bet on the gray.
The doggerel had only one meaning
to the deacon. 1t was shameless de-
fense Of horse racing, an unholy pas
time into which he had gained some IN
sight through the innocent medium Of
country fairs.
"Mornin, Williamv' The greeting
was fresh and cheery-surely not spo-
ken with the languor that Is supposed
to follow night Of debauchery. Guess
you kind OF overslep'. Must be you an
mother kept late hours!'
There's one way you might Of know
ed how late hours mother an me kept"
The deacon's answer bristled with
harsh insinuation. but 1t was all lost
on the erring one. Whstling softly
to himself. he picked up the milk pals
again and started for the house, while
the deacon. mystited and angered.
clambered up the perpendicular ladder
to the hayloft. He threw down a
generous quantity Of sweet smelling
clover to the neighing, impatient
horses below and then leaned medi-
tatively upon the fork handle to ar
range In his mind the admonitory talk
which he was moro certain than ever
alone interviewed between his brother
and irredeemable daIAnation.
The morning meal In the little farm
house was not as comfortable rs usual.
particularly for tho farmer and his
wife. 1t might have been noticed that
the deacon fingered long and fervently
over the thanks which he Invariably
offered up from his board. 1t might
have been noticed also that appended
to those fervent thanks was an earnest
supplication that Divine Providence In
rs all seeing wisdom might not Judge
.arShly the weaknesses OF his erring
, children. all Of which was lost on Joel.
Inasmuch as 1t was well known to be
, Il part OF the dencon's religious phllos.
, ophy to regard all earthly beings as
weak and sinful In the eyes of the
Lord. AZ for the deacon. he was sur.
priscd to note that Jocl's appetite
seemed even better than usual.
The meal finished. Mrs. Birdaell arose
and from force Of habit began to clea
. away the dishes.
:. Joel" the deacon said. trying to m
pear natural and at ease. although Il
spite Of himself there was q threaten
ing ring In his voice. "supposin yo
walk down to the barn with me for
0 moment. I've got somethin I'd like t
talk over with you this nornin."
: Joel had picked up his Int and ha,
] started toward the door. Better p,l
1t of till dinner time. William" he re
Q piled carclessly. I'm an hour lat
q now gettin to the creamery. an
: 'Thcn the creamery can wait! wan
j you should DO what say! D'yo
, hearT'
j "All right, then; must be somcthil
terrible pressn. What's on your mind 7
Y Joel detected stern look on his broth
: ers face and sensibly concluded tina
r argument was waste Of timo.
8 The deacon did not wait to make fur
q ther reply. but started out Of the house
+ motioning for his brother to follow hIni
Silently leading the way, he sought tin
9 seclusion Of the storeroom, where
!. nondescript collection Of sleighs an,
bobsleds stood. covered and festoonet
q with summers accumulation of dus
anc cobwebs. The silence of the plac,
!. good man prided himself on the exer
! else OF neat bit Of strategy Further
more, 1t removed the most remote dan
y ger Of interruption.
For some time the deacon sat in 81
- !ence. h!s cold eyes sharply fixed upor
~ bis brothers face. Then, when the
suspense had begun to grow painful
he cleared his throat with evident ef
y. fort and spoke, carefully weighing ev
q cry word.
| -' AS ctAAo' We COulc uOWH mere
to talk to you man to man, an I'm In
earnest. It's hard, but it's got to be
=. done. It's been on my mind for a long
time"
y II hope there ain't any trouble VII.
liam." The shadow of an impending
calamity had gradually formed before
, JoePs eyes. and his face wore a pale
and anxious look.
Trouble2 Yes. there is trouble an
plenty Of it The truth ia, I've been
mother an I've been watchin yoi
now this last six months, an what
you've been doin is as clear to us as an
open book"
Instantly a sheeplsh, self conscious
expression spread itself over Joel's face
and his eyes sought the floor In embar
rassment The deacon noted the quick
change. and his last lingering doubt In.
stantly vanished. His course was now
clearly defined
"Yes. JOEL" he continued, with great.
er earnestness. there's no use denyin
It now. Mother an me"--
Il ain't denyin nothin, William"
The deacon started suddenly and bit
bis lips with anger. The last thing he
| had anticipDfed waa N want . .hno,