The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-09-19
. DEACON'S
WIFE
2, N. QUAD
3, N. QUAD
Copyright. lsl1 By Associated LII
erary Press.

Hell marry again WlLulu . year VI
two, Of course" was the general opin-
ion Of the villagers.
The deacon didn't remarry, and after
eight years had passed away he was
given credit for being one Of the few
exceptions. He had just passed bis
ffty-sixth birthday when he drove
over to Grafton one day with horse
and buggy to transact some business.
It was a splendid June day. and II
anybody had told the deacon that he
was going to run into a cyclone within
an hour be would have laughed at the
prediction. He was yet four miles
from Grafton and toiling up a long
hill when the cyclone appeared.
1t had been sitting down on a stone
to rest 1t was q woman with q bulg.
ing satchel. She was about forty-ive
years old and had a pleasant face.
She was asked II she didn't want a
lift on her way and was invited to
take a seat in the buggy. She didn't
look at all to the deacon like a cyclone
on wheels-not then. Both were nat.
urally talkative, and inside Of ten min.
utes they talking away like old
acquaintance. The cyclone was a
widow named Pardon. She had been
sewing at the house Of a farmer. She
had a married sister living In Grafton.
She had been a widow for Eve years,
and, while life was going very. we'll
with her. it was a bit lonesome.
Deacon Goodman confessed that 1t
was also a bit lonely Tor him.
Widow Pardon had never considered
q second marriage. but II she should
happen. to find the right sort of man
It might set her to thinking.
II understand" replied the deacon as
he nodded his head.
II make my own dresses. and ]
should be saving. And I can cook a
boiled dinner ct for a king"
II guess I'll stop and see your sister
about it. l don't see no sorter use in
waitn'. Hammer was complainin' this
very mornin' about the hardness of the
housework."
"Put it OF for a week, and think it
over. I also want to think"
The widow was lett at a house In
the village. the deacon's business trans
acted, and be returned home to cay to
his sister:
"Hanner. you can have your liberty
purity soon."
What dye NEAR by that, Johnf"
I'm goin' to get married"
Deacon Goodman was known among
men as a reasonable man." He could
be argued with. and he had often
changed his mind. but in this matter
he was as obstinate as q mule. The
minister and others talked to him, but
without avail. He was on hand on the
day named. The sister had nothing to
say for OF against. and It was decided
that the marriage should take place In
two weeks. 1t came OF according to
schedule. and the deacon took his bride
home and was a happy man-for three
or four days. Then q morning he
suggested that be liked his coffee a lii.
tie stronger than the wife was making
1t, and she whirled On him. threw the
utensil at his head and opened such a
tornado OF abuse that be sat with his
mouth open and stared at her In dumb
surprise.
The good man was still wondering
what had broken loose when the wife
slapped his face and pulled bis hoir
and ran for the river v0wfng that she
would drown herself. he sprang up
and followed her. Of course. and canght
her just as she was going to take the
plunge.
Ten days later there was . second
outbreak The deacon got abuse. pro-
family and nor vigorous slaps. and
again he caught his wife on the hank
Of the river.
In one peat there were ten or twelve
outbreaks. and, Of course. the matter
became town talk. The good deacon
1nally went to his minister about it.
and the latter said:
II have been waiting for three
months, Brother Goodman"
"And you can tell mo what Z should
dot"
.ln a very few words. brother"
.separats1".
sNo."
~Gst Q divorcsf-
mo"
-But rs got to end. parson. I can't
stand II any longer"
II think I have . plan 10 end It.
When do you look for the next ont.
break7~
ut may coms any day now"
The minister whispered IN the dea.