Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1912-03-15
Old Maid and
Preacher
By
ELMER LEWIS
ELMER LEWIS

There was no one in the village
of Jacksonville who did not know
Sarah Ann Jones, sister of Hiram
Jones, widower. As for Hiram, he
ran the sawmill and was quiet, re-
served man. Sister Sarah originate
cd all the village gossip and great
deal more. Few men or women in
the village had escaped her tongue,
and she may be said to have been
friendly with none.
On a certain date several things
happened. Sarah Ann reached the
age of 81. The news spread over
the village that a new preacher was
coming to take the place Of an old
one who was to be retired, and the
now incumbent w:s young man
and single. On this same day one OF
the church deacons had talk with
Hiram Jones, and at the supper
table that evening. after having been
quiet for quarter OF an hour, Hi
ram handed his cup across for a sec
ord helping Of tea and quietly OBJ
served:
"Sarah, I hope you won't make q
fool of yourself over this new preach
en-"
"What on earth do you mean 7"
she exclaimed as she looked at him
in the greatest establishment.
s:Don't run after him.
Sarah filled the cup and handed
it back, and after Hiram had stirred
in the sugar and milk, she leaned
her elbow on the table and said:
Il want to know just what you
mean, sir. | run after preacher Or
any other mani, Sarah Ann Jones
Have YOU had sunstroke, Hiram?
Hundreds and thousands of men
have run after me, as you well know,
but when have you ever known me to
run after a man? Speak, sir! Your
words are an insult to mel"
"Wcll, don't run after him." brief
ly but grimly replied the brother,
His attitude was something new,
and Sarah didn't know exactly what
to think. After a moment she began
to crv. No effect on Hiram. In the
midst of her tears he buttered anoth-
er slice of bread. Then she dashed
aside her tears and said that she
would see the new preacher hanged
before she would even be introduced
to him. Hiram finished his bread
and showed back from the table.
Then Sarah rcsortcd to the dodge
that had never failed her She ut
tered squawk and a gasp and fell
out of her chair to the floor. She
struck on her shoulder, as she had
planned to do, and then turned over,
rolled up her eyes and was goner.
Hiram got up and walked out doors.
He had hens and hog to feed and a
gate to mend, and he was full hour
about it.
Sarah lay where she fell for fif-
teen minutes. She was astonishcd
beyond measure at the actions of her
brother. 1t was his business to SUP
pose her struggling in the agonics OF
death, but she heard the blows of
the hammer at the gate. She arose
and looked out of the window. The
dodge had failed. She began clear
ing off the table, signing one mo-
mcnt and gritting her teeth the next.
She had finished with the dishes and
was sitting down when Hiram en-
tered. For ten minutes neither
spoke. Then she said:
"Hiram Jones, somebody's been
taking ABOUT me.
"Um!"
"Somebody's been saying that I
will run after and try to marry the
new preacher that's coming"
"You probably will"
eyes, I probably will! Yes, I
know l will! Hiram Jones, I'll
spite these people if die for it!'
Hiram didn't ''Um!" this time.
He pulled off his boots, creased a
stone-bruise with mutton tallow and
then went to bed.
A week later the new preacher ar
rived. He naturally made inquiries
regarding his flock, and he was soon
posted. There was big turnout al
his first service, and Sarah Ann
Jones was there in a front pew
She was among those who remained
to shake hands and introduce herself
and she battered herself that she