The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-04
MRS. DOLBY'S TALKS.
She Learns of an Incident Seven Years
Old.

Samuel" said Mrs. Dolby as they
ate supper, IT was looking at you this
afternoon while you were mailing pick
cts on the fence"
"Yes?' he replied as he reached Tor
the butter.
And 1 thought what nice man you
been to me-"
The Deacon tried to look modest.
You never find fault with me, and
you are as patient as Job was when he
had his 81 biles."
The Deacon reached for another po-
tato.
rive been ailin' half the time since
We was married, but never once have
you stood by my bedside and wished
was dead and out of the way for
good.''
The Deacon was going to reply in the
negative, and thus agree with her. but
thought better OF it and drank a gulp
Of tea from his saucer.
You hain't been Deacon OF a
church for the past ten years." con-
tinued Mrs Dolby. because they
bounced you out for saying you didn't
believe the devil lad horns and hoofs
like bull, but you have been a good
man and q shining example just the
same"
Some husbands might have blushed
even though family, under such praise,
but the only thing the Deacon did was
to hand out his Soup for more tea, at
the same time sglancing at the clock
over her shoulder. ST.
And I am proud of you. and love
you, and hope we shall live together
many long years yet" continued Mrs.
Dolby as she wiped a tear from her left
eye with a corner of the tablecloth.
II guess" said the Deacon as he rose
up-"I guess I'll drop down to the post
ONCE"
"Yes?' 7
"And might as well bring back a
piece OF mutton taller. It's coming
time to grease my boots"
He left the house with Mrs. Dolby
singing hymn as she cleared on the
table. and he looked and felt solemn as
he made his way down the street. Mrs.
Dolby was too good. She had one of
those spells now and then, and when
ever they occurred the result was a
; roasting for him within a few hours
There was no mail at the postofice.
The butcher was just out Of mutton
tallow, but would have some in a week
or two. He was awfully sorry, for he
knew how disappointed a man was
when he had planned to grease his
boots and found no tallow at hand,
but SO many cows had sore backs, and
SO many farmers were greasing their
boots. that the stock Of mutton tallow
had slyly slipped away.
Deacon Dolby. met Deacon Wheeler in
front of the drug store. When they had
said hello to each other. Deacon Wheel
er asked:
We'll, how does the devil get alongr'
HE isn't bothered any with horns
and hoofs," was the reply.
You still contend that he hasn't
got 'em:
"Of course do
Sad case, deacon-sad case. 1t
wouldn't do you a mite of harm to be-
lieve with the rest of us that the devil
has horns and hoofs"
And it wouldn't do you any harm
! to believe that your old brindled COW
has wings See here. Deacon Wheeler,
did anyone ever see the devil?"
Course not
Then how can they tell about the
horns and hOofS? ?"
UNI"
THE devil don't skeer people into
coming his way: he coaxes and cajoles.
Wouldn't dress suit be more appro-
pirate than horns and hoofs?"
rs it my wonder" said Deacon
Wheeler. as he threw up his hands in
horror. that some hend In human form
has cut or the tails Of eight different
cows in this town within a year,"
sure, the QcV1I O1Ou claw or nook
them off?" queried Deacon Dolby, as he
passed on toward home.
He was busy thinking of the devil
and other things. among them why 1t
was that no artist ever pictured a man
a. an angel in heaven. when he arriv-
ed at the house and opened the kitchen
door. There was only a dim light from
the lamp. and everything was very
quiet 1t was only when he turned up
the light that he discovered a piece of
paper on which Mrs. Dolby had crawl
ed:
Farewell. Samuel! I have committed
suicide rather than live longer with an
outlaw. Mrs. Whitbeek has been here
j and told me all!"
The deacon didn't tFonble-
He didn't swear.
He didn't smile.
He simply pass into the sitting
room. lighted the light DIRE, and draw
ing up a rocking chair and pulling on
his boots. he reaehod 1ar the family
almanac and began 70 Baal. There were
jokes and conundrue n that almanac.
1t also told about - ICONS phases.
Also what the woAth1f VAS going to
] be 10 months aheo& n also gave the