The Washington herald., 1914-05-03


couldn't be expected to get supper as
usual, nor was the deacon expected TO
go hungry for he want OF IT, He there
fore prepared himself bowl of bread
and milk. Before he had finished the
rain was soaking those freshly planted
squash seeds, and likewise soaking Mrs.
Dolby as she made her way to the
house.
She stood in the open door with the
wet dripping down and making a puddle
on the floor. and the deacon paid no at
tention to her. Thus for five minutes,
and then she spoke in a voice as hollow
as a drum:
Samuel. you did not come to the
barn.
The deacon struck at an early fly with
the spoon in his hand.
Il left you a note stating that I was
going to hang myself"
The note lay on the floor.
You did not come out to look at my
dead body!''
He might have made the excuse that
he was busy with the squash seeds. but
he didn't. He didn't say a word.
II intended to hang myself. but after
all was ready / thought II only right TO
let you know why. You might have
thought / suddenly went insane IL I
didn't tell you that Il was your actions
The deacon's eyebrows went up. but
as he had his back to her she couldn't
see the move.
Mrs. Haskall has been herer'
The words were given in such a dra-
matte voice that the deacon ought to
have shivered like a sand scow striking
rock, but not a shiver did he indulge
In
You met her on the street and tried
to stop her. but she had duty to per-
form and she could not be turned aside. .
The climax was drawing near, and the
deacons toes began to crack.
she told you that il was soft soap,
but It wasn't. Samuel Dolby, one daS
three months ago you went to the groc-
cry after kerosene. 1t was a stormy
afternoon. and there were several men
there Among them was a stranger.
This stranger had q dime Of the date Of
1910. He said II would bring so in New
York. as 1t was a rare coin. but as he
was hard up he would take IS for it,
DO you remember It. Samuel?"
Yes, Samuel remembered It. and gritted
his teeth, but the gritting was done
softly.
when no one would take it for 81 he
offered It for y-ss-S. At IS you Bit
Yes, that was correct and the deaoon's
ears got red.
IAN the men winked at you not to bite.
but you saw a chance to make IS and
closed at once. When you came home
you didn't say a word about II to me.
Next day you began inquiring around.
and you found you had been made q fool
of. When a lot OF men poked fun at
you what reply did you maker"
The deacon remembered his very words,
but he evaded the question by pouring
some milk into the bowl he had eaten
from and placing IL on the floor for the
cat
Here is just what you said Mr. Has
kell was there and he wrote It down. You
shouted out:
by the living lingo. and durn my cats
to Jericho. II ever come across that
blasted reptile I'll bust his cocoanut a
yard wide!''
Mrs. Dolby waited for a moment for
the awful words to go echoing around
the kitchen and then asked:
Samuel, can you tell me that you are
not guilty Of this horrible crime?''
Alas. he couldn't and therefore his best
plan was to make another whack at an
other fly.
Such awful bIasphemy, and all this
time 1 was regarding you as almost an
angel! Is IT any wonder that when Mrs.
Haskell opened my eyes to what a pirate
you are that my first and only thought
was to get OF the earth? Oh, Samuel"
Mrs Dolby's feelings overcame her and
she broke down and sobbed. The deacon
looked around for more flies to swat. but
not seeing any he lazily arose and looked
out of the door.
Samuel do you"
Yes, I think those squash seeds will
be coming up within ten days." he re-
piled as he set of for the barn.
And Nre noIbv drfad har faarc
her nose and went in to fill the teakettle
and prepare him a hot supper. And as
she worked she said to herself:
Mr.. Haskell is a German and mebbe
he didn't understand right. At least,
Samuel didn't show one single sign of
guilt. and I'm glad 1 didn't hang my
self"