The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-04-06
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Son David" broad-Sh0u.dered SIX.
footer. smiled a little, and coldked a
great deal at these words, which Eere
delivered with precision and pl-
emnity of look and tone that made
them doubly impressive.
There's no occasion for any alarm,
father; l keep very good company.
And as for the tavern. l haven't set
foot in it for six months or more"
About the usual hour, David laid
aside his book, and putting on clean
collar and q linen coat. fresh from the
hands Of Aunt BetSey, sauntered down
toward the village. This had been his
custom for several weeks past, and the
old deacon shook his head with q per-
picked and somewhat troubled air.
II suppose the lad finds it rather dull
here" he unused; "the house is lonely
And, as he recalled the light Of a
certain bright eye and sunny smile.
what he had thought of doing "for the
sake of David" seemed a not unpleas-
ant thing to do for his own.
II think I'll go and consult Parson
Dunlow," thought the deacon, who, like
the generality Of mankind, having fully
made up his mind on the subject, de-
termined to seek advice. not for the
purpose of gaining any additional light.
but to strengthen and confirm his own
opinions.
The worthy deacon bestowed quite as
much time upon his toilet before leav-
ing the house as did ''SOn David" And
if a glimpse of the sprinkling Of gray
in the hair that he brushed so carefully
away from his temples made him some
what doubtful as to the result of his
mission, it was but for moment.
Ought not any woman to be proud Of
the honor of becoming Mrs. Deacon
Quimby, wife of one of the most
wealthy and influential citizens Of the
place, even though his hair might be
a little frosty and his form not so erect
as when he departed on the selfsame
errand thirty years before.
In the weekly prayer meetings. Of
which he took the lead, the deacon
often called himself 1.-The chief Of sim
ners." "an Improbable servant" and
the like, confessing and ,bewailing the
depravity of his heart. But. like a
great many other self-styled "misera-
BILE Sinners" he had a tolerably good
opinion of himself after all. making
the above confession with an air that
seemed to say: ''If I. Deacon Quimby,
a pillar of the church, and shining
example to you all. can say this. what
must be the condition of the majority
Of those around me?"
He found ParSon Dunlow in his
study, hard at work upon his next Sun
days discourse But he was used to
interruptions, and had sincere liking
for the worthy deacon, who was his
right-hand man in every good work: so,
laying down his pen, he shook him
warmly by the hand and bade him be
seated.
But somehow the deacon found il
difficult to get out what he came to
say-the words seemed to stick in his
throat. But at last he managed to
stammer:
IL have called, parson, toto see
you about my son, David, whose coz
duct has occasioned me great deal
of uneasiness Of late
"You surprise me, Brother Quimby
I consider him to be an unusually
steady and exemplary young man."
"He has been, parson, very steady
indeed-at home every evening, busy
with his book or paper. But HOW he's
out most every night. and sometimes
don't return until quite late"
A faint smile fiickered around ParsoT
Dunlow's mouth, but n was unobServet
by the deacon, who resumed:
''rhe fact is, the boy wants
mother"
"He wants wife, you mean" wa;
| the parsons inward comment, but III
said nothing, for he hadn't filled hi:
sacred office 4 quarter of a centur!
without learning that some things arr
better thought than spoken.
1T is a very important step re
sumed Deacon Quimby, after wait:n:
vainly for the parson to speak, "and-
and as l think Of taking to mysel
another companion for-for the sake o
David, l thought l would come and
and consult you about it,
Here the deacon wiped the perspira
ton from his forehead, betrayinG s.
much hesitancy and embarrassment
to quite astonish the good parson, WHO
to reassure him, said briskly:
ITO be sure, Brother Quimby. And
very good idea it is, too, for yourself
and, no doubt, for your son. David
And l shall be very glad to assist yo
in the matter. There are many yer.
worthy ladies in the church and viclI
ity, so that you cannot fail to be suited
There's the Widow Bean; her sons ar
now men grown and quite of lie
| hands. A most excellent and worth
woman is the Widow Bean"
But the deacon did not seem to RI
ceiye his suggestion with much favor
he shifted one leg uneaslly over tn
other.
"As you say, parson, the Widow Bea