The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-03-02


I'm hitch Bob Toombs, and III rest 3 spell"
soon on The porch Ia an easy chair
The deaeon at with an snxiOus air
y pom his face. while looking down
The long rcd highway toward the town.
= wanted to go to town today.
But wife she thinks "a better stay
Aud pillow the corn we're 50 behind
With work, and besides twont hurt 10 mind
Your wiv, sometimes They like to boss.
And are 10 whimsical and cross
Nhene'er they can't get things to run,
Just as they would ike TO have 'em done,'
he filled his pipe, and with a sigh,
~ y with match scratched on his thigh,
While the fragrant smoke Ia columns rolled
Like incense mp la the days Of Old.
when suddenly there came sound
~ hoois and wheels and looking down
The long red road he saw 4 shay.
drawn by decent looking bay.
And in tie shay two gentlemen sat,
Zach IN bis sunday othes and hat
Come jogging along 40 lively rate,
And hating the rig at the deecOns gate
Light, gentlemen. light" the deacon said.
Then placing his straw hat on his head
lie met them half way down the walk
Aud led them back in a pleasant talk.
.well brother Dismukes. how do ye do,
think its r ally kind In you
To visit us, when we amt been
To see your folk since you moved in
How women folks are they can't go
a calling out IN public view
Unless they've got on something new.
Besides the creek has been up 50.
That my old oman's leard 10 go
Across a. for each time, she said
sh9 take swmmin' in the head.
And this young brother who is he'
Oh yes. is brother slattery."
lie seated his guests. and hurried around,
To where his wife was boiling down.
A pot OF soap and speaking low,
Suggested that she a better go.
And get some dinner. quick while he
Would entertain the company.
She muttered something about the way
some folks could loaf on worky day
With times 30 hard, aud backward spring
She couldn't understand the thing
Well he talked with his guests on temporal things
Then soaring aloit on more piOus wings.
Tie reviewed the church. its surrounding whole.
ANA his deep concern tor the sinners SOUL
They eyed him closely from head 10 foot
And finally one this question put
say deacon Jones, didn't You just say.
That you'd been piowing corn today"
Yes yes. you see ! usually wait
Til Monday; but the seasons late
And when can get in day,
To Aun the pillow, must make hay"
His visitors seated by his side.
Both opened their eyes At this quite wide.
But enjoy good company 30,
lfyou'll excuse me, viii go
Where the boys are fencing and call son jim
And give the blowing NJ 70 him"
hat going 10 make him pillow fO-ddV''
Yes times too precious to fool away"
THE fact is boys his age and size,
Need plenty ofaif and exercise"
His guests were silent a moment OF so,
Then suddenly, both rose up to gol
Tho the deacon urged them they wouldn't stay
But hooked up their rig aud drove away
Mt. Pisgah's church day opened clear.
Aud the crowds poured ia from far and near
On horse back, mule back buck boards, gigs
Creaky old rock-s.~ays two horse rigs
Each one contributing Us full share,
To the crowd OF country folk gathering there
There black dressed women, with specks and
ShaWls
Men nome-spun dressed and in overalls
Stood round in groups, all talking low
All plainly grieved at the awful blow
Which late had fallen swift on one,
OF fisgah's pillars one who'd done
50 much to make her tower OF strength
Throughout south Georgia's breadth and length
The sexton scarce had tolled the bell
For eleven A. NJ. when the gayel fell
For the business session. song was sung
From hundred lusty Threats IL runs.
Then brother Iompkins led In prayer
Responses rising here and there.
A song. Then orders OF the day.
Were called for. aud without delay,
Old deacon Simpkins from his pew
When call was made for business new,
Rose up At once, addressed the chair
Mid deathly silence everywhere:
Brother Moderator, regret TO say
That have charge to make to-day,
Against a brother deacon here
who's gone in and out for forty year
Before this flock, and always stood,
High in his church and neighborhood.
"sir. on last Sunday deacon Jones.
In the sound of church bells solemn tones,
Instead OF fasting and humble prayer
As becomes good deacons everywhere,
Not only was piowing, but made his boy
Take turus with him. thus TO destroy
What good intentions that the lad,
Through religious convictions, may have had.
"The reason know that he did plow
lie told two brethren, present now"
Dismukes and slattery from their pew,
Declared that the statements made were true
II move you agin i'm we prefer
A charge OF sabbath breaking. sir"
Twas seconded. Are there remarks"
With eyes ablsSe, and flashing sparks,
old Deacon Jones sprang to his feet,
His tingling blood at fever heat
And declared the charge was most absurd,
And the basest SANDER he ever heard.
Then spoke the pastor: Tell US pray,
What did you do on last Lords day.
Lord day IL fained. stayed at home
And read my Bible, sir, and some
who ought to have done the same, sir; they
Were plotting how TO SANDER me"
"What did you do ON Saturday. them"
II plowed my con, and these same men
win witness TO the truth, I hope.
That my good wife was abilin soap"
well, Monday then, what did you dor
"Why the day was clear, and the sky was blue
'There deacon, stop There's where you're
wrong,
For Monday IL rsined hard all day long
while lass Lords day was bright aud fair.
With the spring birds singing everywhere.
II thought there must be some mistake,
And we'll drop il for the ehurch's sake"
A pause, and deacon Jones arose
And asked the pardon of all those
Whom he had nniusuy criticized;
And a sob escaped as he wiped his eyes.