River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-21

subject, gazed stonily at Miss George
while the skipper glowered at him.
Spurred by these baIeful g1ances the
deacon began amDlIng discourse
about church matters, crops, cattle and
oysters, in melange, while Miss Annie
looked in evident wonder at her sweet
heart, standing silent and perturbed.
Finally Miss Annie suggested the dea-
cons examination of favorite rose,
and they walked down the porch. In
stantly the skipper snatched up the
fateful box and rushed into the dining
room. The room was dark, but he could
discern the other box on the floor, and
was just about to seize it when he heard
the two returning to the front door.
He rushed out on the porch, appearing
not unlike burglar interrupted at his
calling, and scowled horribly at the mis-
cradle deacon.
Miss Annie, turning her back on her
recreant lover, invited the deacon to have
glassful of milk.
At that moment the deacon's palate
did not crave milk, but the fiery shaft
from the shippers eye made him assent
at once.
Miss Annie walked through the dining
room to the pantry, followed by the dea-
con, and he, stealthily, by the skipper.
No sooner had the young lady d1sap-
peared in the pantry than the skipper
snatched up the box and flew through the
hall to the gig, barely escaping Miss
Annie, who was returning with the milk.
The deacon swallowed pint of milk,
fastened after him, and with hurried
farewell the two conspirators drove
away, leaving a very indignant lady be-
hind
NOW" said the deacon, when they had
reached his house, "I'll give my boss a
dose of Medicine"
you old hypocrite," snarled the skip
er, 81 really believe you try to bam-
boozle yourself"
"Seth," walled the deacon, you've
brought back the same box. Hyar's that
thar pesky garment"
"By Gum" groaned the skipper, sit
was so dark and was in such hurry
I picked up the same box brought"
EFF he smells it I'm ruined" moaned
the deacon.
"Oh, he'll smell it and he'll smell hyp-
ocrite, too," assented the skipper; but
it kills my chances"
"Best Maryland rye" lamented the
deacon, "emptied on the cold, unfeelirg
clay"
'Best girl on the eastern shore lost by
your blessed love O. whisky" growled
the skipper.
Morosely the deacon drove the captain
back to his schooner and sleepless was
the mariners night. Unavailingly he
threshed over every chance for explain
alton, with only chaff as a result, and
went on deck in the morning sulky as a
hungry bear. At noon a letter was
brought him.
Capt Hopkins: Rev. George asks me
to thank you for your present of a pair
of pajamas, and will much appreciate
them this winter. 1t seems odd that the
giver of a present should find it neces-
sary to act like wild animal
''ANNIE GEORGE"
did any one ever see such a knott"
gasped the mystified skipper.
'Lettah, sah," said Pete, bringing an
other epistle into the cabin.
The captain read: Dear Captain: BY
an oversight the bottle of medicine was
left out OF Deacon Jobe's package and a
pair of pajamas packed instead. We
have forwarded the bottle securely
packed by express, and apologize for our
mistake Bundle & Bales"
Pete" vociferated the skipper, 'bor-
row Mr. Giles gig. I'm going to drive
over to Parson Georges this afternoon"