The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1910-12-29
E E5laszl. 90 zs'E4 8 5s X s559Ss q
When the
Deacon Gave In
3, NJ QUAD
b NJ quad
Copyright. 1910. BY Associated Lit
erary Press.


had known each other for a long time.
The widow had known the deacon's
wife In life and was with her when
che died.
The Widow Spiccr was a church
member, but there were Il few things
ahe SHE'D at. For instance, she didn't
believe the whale swallowed Jonah.
Strangely enough. Deacon Williams
had never heard Of the widows disbe-
hef 1t did not come to his ears until
he had been a widower for three
years and until a new minister took
the pulpit. When he learned of it his
surprise was great. He was also in
elined to resent the heresy. He volun-
teered to call and have a talk with
Mrs. Spicer, and the minister thought
Il might be good thing, though be
added: -E&& In
But l hope there won't be no heat
Cd argument. Brother Williams. Argue
gently. Argue on the large size Of the
whale and the small size Of Jonah
Gentle argument and persistency may
accomplish much"
The deacon called and talked about
ne weather and the later bugs until
Ae had opportunity to introduce Jo-
nah. He wanted to 70 right In like
shopping, wood, but hs remembered
TIE ministers caution and argued
gently. The widow didn't get fierce
ever 1t, but declared that until she
aw the thing done with her own eyes
che shouldn't believe the whale story
Deacon Williams left in apparent
good =, humor. but he didn't feel all
right just the same.
Perhaps we shouldn't be too anx-
1ous about it." said the minister when
he saw that the matter was being
taken very seriously.
The deacon had married woman
who firmly believed that the sun moved
around the earth. 1t had taken him
three years after marriage to bring her
to his way Of thinking. but he had won
the victory. Why not marry the Wild
ow Spicer and bring her to believe the
whale story That was the starting
point. From thence the deacon brought
himself to- see that Mrs. Spicer had a
comfortable home. was sid to- be a
A0e ahousekeeper and was president Of
the Ladies' Aid society and treasurer
~ the ladies' Heather Benevolent as
sociati0n. Taken all around. it would
not be q bad thing. He could have let
tie minister into the little plan. but be
1gure1 to- wait snd SURPRISE him. J.
~ The Widow sptcer fthoushta Dcetty
:" veil Of Deacon, Wuliams,. -, all: other
talks DID - Perhaps hsr, condition wa
- n1psloEn.: 'Perhape she wanted to. be
ehsered mp. Perhaps she fell III love.
No one can, tell about these things,
andstt's no ones business anyhow. In
, aue time they were, married. w hen
tho minister congratulated the deacon
~ latter: smiled knowingly and said:
"Ask my wife a month hence wheth.
Or she believes the whale swallowed
Jonah"
"Ah. the influence Of husband!
shall be very pleased"
But he wasn't. He called one after
noon when the deacon was working In
his ga wmill and introduced his subject,
and it was hardly OF bis tongue when
the ex-widow replied:
II have had three or four rows with
the deacon about it. but I'm doubling
more than ever. lie says I've got to
believe. and say won't. and there
you are"
From thence on. as the neigbbors got
b know aud whispered about. that
was a sad house There was never an
hour in tile day that some reference
was not made to Jonah. 1t would
have been great relief had they
changed OF to Daniel In the lions den.
but they never did. 1t had become the
scandal Of the church and the gossip
q the village. when one day tin ped.
ller came along and heard all about it.
Among other houses he called at to
exchange his wares for cash or paper
rags was that Of Deacon Williams. All
h1s talk with uAs uAbeliev ing vie was
not about trade He threw out hint
az two as to what could be accomplish
ed by determined woman. Then
he went down to the sawmill and got
up talk with the deacon and during
the conversation managed to announce
the fact that when widower married
q widow and there were no children
al her property at her death went to
her relatives. The deacon hadn't con-
sidered this fact. and 1t gave him II
start.
When he went home Mt noon he said
1othing about Jonah. The wife seem
"a to have been weeping. His dignity
forbade his asking why. Even when
she kissed him he couldn't sacrifice his
pride. Jonah or bust was still his
watchword. However. he didn't feel
Just right. and he started for home an
hour earlier than usual. It was to
End the wife on the bed. apparently
breathing her last. and a note on the
stand that she had taken poison.
The deacon hustled for the neigh
bors. He bumped for the doctor. He
gailoped to the drug store. He called
himself names. He kicked himself
He actually swore like a lightning rod
man. And when all was over and the