The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1915-09-17

Old Maid and
Preacher
By
ELMER LEWIS
ELMER LEWIS

IF Jacksonville who did not know
Sarah Ann Jones, sister of Hiram
Jones. widower. As for Hiram. he
ran the sawmill and was a quiet, re-
served man. Sister Sarah originate
ID all the village gossip and a great
leal 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 "a. The news spread over
the village that a new preacher was
coming to take the place of an old
)nc who was to be retired, and the
new incumbent was a young man
md single. On this same day one Of
the church dcacons had IA talk with
Hiram Jones. and at the supper
fable that evening. after having been
Iuict for a quarter of an hour, Hi
ram handed his c,p across for a SOC
md helping of tea and quietly OBJ
served
"Sarah, I lone Won won't make a
fool Of yourself over this G preach
r."
"What on earth do YOU mcan?'
he exclaimed as she looked at him
IN the greatest aston ,hmcnt.
Don't run after him
Sarah Glicd the cup and handed
It back, and after Hiram had stirred
IN the sugar and milk, she leaned
lcr elbow on the table and said:
81 want to know just what you
mean, sir. | run after a preacher or
my other mani, Sarah Ann Jones I!
Have you had a sunstroke, Hiram ?
Hundreds and thousands of men
nave run after me, as you well know,
nut when have you ever known me to
un after a man? Speak, sir! Your
words are an insult TO me!'
"W ell, don't run after him." brief
y but grim.v replied the brother.
His attitude was something new,
md Sarah didn't know exactly what
o think. After a moment she began
o cry. No effect on Hiram. In the
MIDST Of her tears he buttered anoth-
r. slice of bread. Then she dashed
aside her tears and said that she
you'd see the new preacher hanged
before she would even be introduced
o him. Hiram finished his bread
md showed back from the table.
Then Sarah resoricd to the dodge
hat had never fa ed her. She ut
cred a squawk and a gasp and fell
nut Of her chair to the floor. She
struck on her shoulder, as she had
alruned TO do, and then turned over,
-ollcd up her ewes and was a goner.
Hiram got up aud walked out doors.
Tie had hens and a hog to feed and a
gate to mend, and he was a full hour
lbout it.
Sarah lay where she fell for fif-
cen minutes. She was astonished
leyond measure at the actions Of her
brother. II was his business to sup
Dose her struggling in the agonies Of
leath, but she heard the blows of
he hammer at the gate. She arose
md looked out Of the window. The
lodge had failed. She began clear
ng off the table, signing one mo-
nent and gritting her teeth the next.
She had finished with the dishes and
vas sitting down when Hiram en-
cred. For ten minutes neither
poke. Then she said:
"Hiram Jones, somebody's been
alking about me-
"Ump
Somebody's been saving that |
viii run after and try to marry the
new preacher that's coming"
"You probably will"
eyes, | probably will! Yes, 7
snow will! Hiram Jones I'll
spite these people if | die for it!'
Hiram didn't "Ump' this time.
lie pulled Off his boots, CREASED a
5tone-bruise with mu;toR tallow and
hen went TO bed.
A week later the new preacher ar
lived, He naturally made inquiries
regarding his flock. and he was soon
posted. There was a big tuIuoLt 1t
his first service, and Sarah Ann
Tones was there in a front pew,