The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-06-24

to make an example OF him"
Mrs. Plimpsey was a widow, black
eyed and buxom and OF q cheerful dis
position. She tenanted one of the dea-
cons two houses and he had stopped in
like good landlord, to see II there
was anything that needed fixing
around the place. He had found the
widow perched on a stepladder. wash
ing the parlor window, and she said
that IL he'd excuse her she'd just go
right on with her work. as she could
talk to him just as well. The deacon
couldn't hardly help noticing that she
had mighty shapely ankle. He ap-
proved of plaids. although he was. Of
course, too modest man to say SO.
"Gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Plimp-
sey. 81 never saw you so fierce. dea-
con. / sh'd think. though, that IL peo-
pie didn't want to get kissed they
might keep away from the Wilkinses
lane. evenin's."
WELL" said the deacon, "they might,
mebbe. but l don't reckon they go
'ceptin' out of a harmless female Gu
riosity, an they've a right to go.
don't blame 'em. But this Jack, he
orter be rid on a white oak rail. The
idee. that a good lookin' woman can't
go where she dunn pleases. an feel
safei"
The widow smiled "You don't need
to hold that ladder, deacon" she said.
81 guess its safe now," she continued.
Anyways I've promised to go over to
Wilkinses myself this evenin'."
mol" exclaimed the deacon, "don't
you do 1t, Mis- Plimpsey."
"I'll take chances" said the widow,
giving him a coquettish glance, IL
guess there amt nobody'd want to kiss
me-"
Come down off'n that there ladder
a mint" said the deacon, with flush
ing face.
I'm not through yet" said Mrs.
Plimpsey, calmly, AN think I see
Mis- Blevins startin' out of her front
gate. Maybe she's lookin' for you"
The deacon started and hastily picked
up his hat.
81 reckon it's time I was goin'," he
said. ''If you don't mind II let my
self out o. the back door. He had
reached the parlor door, when he
turned back
You're jolSin' about goin' through
that lane this evenin'. amt your" he
asked.
NO" she answered. 81 don't think
I'll be bothered. Yet, 1t is Mis- Blevins
an she's a comm here"
The deacon bolted.
When Mrs. Plimpsey suddenly felt
herself in the sudden clasp of a pair
of strong arms in the gloom of the
wilkinses lane that evening. she posi-
bly, regretted that she had not Needed
the deacon's advice. but at all events
she retained her self-possession- Rec.
ognizing the futility of resistance she
meekly surrendered her lips to the
spoiler, but Just as he drew away fol-
breath she made a sudden snatch al
the red beard that was pressing hei
F, peachy cheek. II came off in her hand
and Jack the Kisser, starting back, dis
closed beneath his slouched hat the
countenance of Deacon Malachi Blew.
[ ins-and a rueful countenanee It was
too.
"Deaconl" said Mrs. Plimpsey, re.
proachfully. Can this be your"
The deacon hung his head.
What do you suppose Mrs. Blevins
will say when tell her this?" demand.
ed the widow, sternly.
You amt goin' to tell her, are your
asked the deacon, imploringly. Say
| you won't You don't know what She
| is or you wouldn't. l don't believe III
| ever have done this If IL hadn't beer
for her. She's Jest blue vit'rol an colo
pizen, is Mis- Blevins. She's helt m,
down and made life a misery every
time / looked crosseyed at a woman
an allus liked wimmen, in an inner
cent way. Between her an sustainin
repertation I've ben a tol'able mis-
| rable man. an lately got desp'rit, an
kicked over the traces. You wouldn'
tell her-Bessy?"
81 think you ought to be ashamed o.
yourself" said Mrs. Plimpsey, Il thinl
ought to tell. declare I'm afraid o.
| you"
| You don't need to be-"
81 am. If 1 don't tell will you be
have yourself and not go round kiss
ing young girls again."
Honest, l never will-Bessy," salt
the deacon.
81 kind of had an idea it was you,
said the widow presently. but II
never have believed you had tn
spunk."