Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-05-26
The Deacon's Detection.

a way of not happening there. 1t
took the appearance Of Jack the Kiss
er" to make things hum
Belle Jackson was the first victim.
She was returning from the Wilkius's
with tin pail of milk one evening
about dark when a man met her
"a tall man, dressed in dark clothes,
kind o middle aged, with red beard
an fair Completed" This man seized
and kissed her.
Miss Caroline Causing, the dress
maker, was kissed a night or two later
1t was almost dark when this hap
pened, which, some Of the women said,
accounted for it.
Rhoda Wilkins was the next She
was going along the same road ira
versed by Belle Jackson when the
kisser embraced her with the same
dexterity and in the same ardent
manner he had shown on the two pre-
vious occasions. 1t began to grow
serious Mrs Payne never thought
that the kisser would have the bold
ness to attack married woman, and
in this belief, ventured the dangerous
highway and found out her mistake.
She was kissed too, and three other
married women were obliged to sub
nit to the same indignity within two
weeks.
Mrs. Malachi Blevins was one OF
the few who had escaped the terrible
embraces of the mysterious unknown.
She remarked that she would like to
see the color of the hair Of any two
legged man who would dare to kiss
her. She did not intend the remark
to be taken literally. In spite of her
immunity, however, Deacon Malachi
showed perhaps as much excitement
and indignation as any man in town.
I'D Jest like ter ketch a holt of
him" he said to Mrs. Plimpsey. I'm
law-abidin' man an a man o peace,
but such doin's is scan'lous an I'd be
apt to make an example of him"
Mrs. Plimpsey was a widow, black
eyed and buxom and of cheerful dis
position. She tenanted one of the
Deacon's two houses, and he had
stopped in like good landlord to zee
if there was anything that needed fix
ing around the place.
Gracious 81" exclaimed Mrs. Plimp-
sey, Il never saw you so fierce, Deacon.
l sh'd think, though, that if people
didn't want to get kissed they might
keep away from the Wilkinss lane
Of evenin's. Yet" she added. i've
promised to go over to Wilkins's my
self this evenin'."
"No, exclaimed the Deacon don't
you do it, Mis- Plimpsey."
"Ill take chances" ," said the widow,
giving him coquettish glance. 81
guess there amt nobodyd want to
kiss me"
Come down ofn that ladder
mint, said the Deacon with flushed
face.
I'm not through yet, said Mrs.
Plimpsey, calmly, IAN, l think l 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 I'll let my
self out o the back door"
He had reached the parlOr door
when he turned back.
You're jokin' about goin through
that lane this evenin', amt you ?" he
eaid.
"No," she answered 81 don't think
III be bothered. Yes, It's Mis- Blevins,
an she's a-comin' here.
The Deacon bolted.
When Mrs. Plimpsey suddenly felt
herself in the grasp Of pair Of strong
arms in the gloom of the Wilkins s
lane that evening she possibly re-
gretted that she had not needed the
Deacon's advice, but, at all events, she
retained her self-possesslon. Recog-
nizing the futility of resistance, she
meekly surrendered her lips to the
spoiler, but Just as he drew away for
a breath she made a snatch at the red
beard that was pressing her Peachy
cheek. 1t came off in her hand, and
"Jack the Kisser," starting back, dis
closed beneath his slouched hat the
conntenance of Deacon Malachi Ble-
yins-and a rueful countentenance 1t
was, too.
Deacon" said Mrs. PlimPsey, re-
proachfully; "can this be you?
The Deacon hung his head.