davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21
THE DEACON,S DEAL

There Is an ancient idea still float
ing around that because a man is a
church deacon he must take the
small end Of the bargain when he
either buys or sells. II he trades
horses he must take a blind one in
exchange and be thankful that the
equine has four legs 20 move about
on.
II he makes cider 70 sell he must
turn out the pure quill. whereas any
one else is excused for a dilutiOn of
five pals OF water 10 a barrel
For about fifteen years Deacon
GOOdhue had been governed by the
ancient idea. and had been looked
upon as a man that would be a lead
er among the angels. but all OF a
sudden there came a change He
had been thinking things over. and
when he killed an early fall pig he
did not send the remains around
among the nearest ten families as
had been his wont, and keep the
ears and bristles for his portion. And
hereupon the people exclaimed.
Deacon GOOdhue has surely back
sidt"
Within a month he'll be selling
milk instead Of giving II away"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

He can't develop such a spirit as
this and expect to remain in the
churchl"
Deacon Goodhue dug thirty bush
els OF potatoes from his garden
that fall. and instead of giving away
twenty of them, and living on tur-
nips after January, he stored every
peck of them in his own cellar. Some
folks said that the evil omen had
surely got hold of him, and some al
most excused his unheard and un-
warranted conduct in saying that he
was losing his mind.
Whatever IL was. he kept right on
springing his surprises. Brother Abb
salon Springtree had a sick COW. He
asked a tin peddler to diagnose the
case. and, after looking at her eyes
and twisting her tail, the man looked
wise and said:
That re COW has got a bad case
OF the holler-horn.'
"Shoo! VIII she die OF it?'
The chances are nine out OF ten
that she will"
What had I better do about it,
Trade her off. and that without
a days delay. Don't you know OF
any one around here you can stick"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

with a hint OF thunder and rain in
the air There came also a letter.
a most unwelcome letter TO Mildred
in her little house. II was from
the principal Of the private school
where she was a teacher. II said
that she was expected 10 return 20
her post on the 18th Of September.
Mildred had been trying 10 forget
about the school: the thought OF
leaving her little home was most de-
pressing She planned 10 keep IL
through the winter and come there
for vacations. but vacations were so
few And she was tired Of teach
ing. anyway, and September 18th
was only three weeks off.
She lit a fret was really cool
for August. and she was always
ready 10 light a fire az the slightest
excuse because II looked so coy.
That was one reason she longed 20
spend the winter there-she did not
have open fires in her furnished
room at Mrs. Green's boarding
house.
Mildred sat before the fire, trying
her very best 20 think OF some plan
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21
By Jonathan Gray

weuld-judging from what I've
heard him say about his taste-ls
there any reason you know OF why
well. what I want TO know is this
are you engaged 20 any other
man or pledged in any way that
would make II quite out OF the
question for you 10 think OF marry
ing Mr.. stephens ?"
Hester struggled 20 hide her en-
barrassment. She thought of half a
dozen possible things 10 say 20 re-
lieve the tension, but the silence
grew longer till Mr. Walker ex-
planned: You see sometimes a
man like Mr.. Stephens falls very,
very much in love with a girl like
you in a very short time-and Ia
hate to have him lose his heart only
10 find out that-that you were en-
gagged 20 somebody else
But, I'm afraid you didn't know
that I'm only a paid secretary. To
be sure, I'm a suffragist but a man
in Mr.. Stevens position would want
20 marry a society suffragist."
There was nothing about that in
the grandmother's stipulation" ar
gued Mr Walker. "All that was
necessary was a suffragist who had
worked for the cause and you work
harder than all this rest put to-
gether"
1t was late in the afternoon and
| fortunately the headquarters was
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

and turned 10 her switchboard. It
was just Teddy's luck that IL was
noon hour and the fellows from up
stairs who were passing through the
business Office on the way TO lunch
couldn't help seeing his reception.
The way they jOllied him about 1t
afterward assured him OF that.
She had improved. he noticed. as
he passed through the office on the
way back from the lunch he hadn't
tOuched-improved not in her at
titude toward him but in appear
ances. In the old days she had been
a very pretty little country girl, but
she had developed into a belle that
made the city girls look faded and
washed-Out. She was a deep con-
trast 10 the red-headed stenograph-
er: her bright and sparkling eyes
made the dreamy ones appear in
significant; her fresh. peachlike nat
ural bloom made the cosmetic-coat-
ed complexion OF the other girls
look like the morning after the
night before" and clothes-well.
she always had good taste in dress
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

a sudden exclamation.
David Gordon" she cried. How
ever did you come 20 be-here ."
Il came TO see my house, she re-
piled. and you Didn't you know,
Mildred. that 1 was your landlord %
mo-" she said II didn't. What
ever do you like at Mrs. Green's for
when you have a place Ike this? ?"
why / couldn't live here alone. "
he said. and make il look Ike
this Goodness, Mildred, what have
you done to the old place. 1t hasn't
been so homelike-since mother
died"
Mildred laughed. a little ruefully
Il know it's homelike." she said
And the worst OF II Is I've got 70
leave il and go ack TO work very
soon. hate 20 give Il up"
David nodded. a little absently. He
was looking at the brown haired
girl IN the blue gown and thinking
how lovely she was. how well she
fitted into the COSY little room. He
had missed her at the boarding
house; there had been no one %
smile a. him across the dinner table
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

cold blooded lady who talked with
broad as here the other aft
ernoon. why can just say that Mr.
Stephens wouldn't fall for her one
little bit"
What type does he like?" asked
Hester, quite willing TO help in the
search for a wife since it was all
for the cause.
i've heard him say he was par
tial TO smallish, brown-eyed girls.
I know for a fact he's very fond OF
dimples."
Both secretaries REDEEMED a little
with confusiou-Mr. Walker, be-
cause he felt he had said something
rather foolish and Hester, because
she was little, and had brown eyes
and very nice dimples There was
an awkward pause. and then Mr..
Walker went straight 10 the point.
81 have an idea that Mr.. Stephens
would like a wife very much like
yourself. Excuse me for being per-
sonal. but 80 men would lose their
hearts 10 you--that is, a girl like
you-to the one that would fall in
love with Miss Stoppleton."
There was another awkward
pause and then: Pardon me for
asking, but If 1 should arrange 70
have Mr.. Stephens meet you and he
should fall very much in love with
you, as l am practically certain he
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

The house was a very small one.
standing lonely and deserted at the
,urn OF the country road Mildred
came upon IL, early one morning in
June when she was searching for a
quiet place 20 read and dream
Mildred was a teacher and she
had come 20 spend her long sum
rner vacation at Willow Lake hotel
She was a slim girl pale and pretty
with a soft charm that needed only
rest and fresh air 20 make 10 bloom
into real beauty She was tired
however. desperately tired and lone
~. The hotel promised 10 be less
pleasant than she had expected
There were no young people. only
old ladies' who sat on the verandas
with their knitting and embroidery.
discussing ills and operations. Mil
dred wanted youth and joillty. or.
falling that at least solitude for
dreams So armed with plenty Of
books and magazine. she left the
hotel every morning directly after
breakfast.
The little gray house looked like
a haven peaceful enough for any
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

be willing to marry for money rath-
er than love"
"Oh, I wouldn't be so hard on
him as that He figures that the
money would be a rather pleasant
little bit 10 have and since he has
never fallen In love with any one
yet he might as we'll fall in love
with a suffragist as anybody else. 4"
Hester laughed. so he has com
missioned you 20 meet some at
tractive sufrragist and Introduce
him 20 them so he can find a wife
to MI the bill?"
Yes. that Is substantially why I
came TO headquarters the other day.
And I must say have had TO re
port 20 Mr. Stevens that there are
some very attractive looking girls
interested in the cause. The idea
used to be that good looking women
didn't go in for that sort OF thing,
but judging from what I've seen
over here I should say that the bad
looking women must be all ants"
Wouldn't IL be wonderful If he
should meet and marry Hazel Stop
pleton?" suggested Hester. begin
ming TO approve Of the scheme. He
couldn't help but love her-she is
regular goddess"
'I don't believe Mr.. Stephens
goes in for the goddess type and II
you mean that tall, copper haired
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

Hello. Dick. Flora speaking.
Dreadful headache! Tomorrow night
good bye"
Madge worried about il all after
noon. She had been very foolish in
her treatment OF Teddy, she thought
But she couldn't blame herself for
treating him so cody. She had
cared so much for him that sum-
mer and thought he cared, too, but
he had spoiled it all by sending her
postcards as he would 10 his little
sister She had shown him now
that she was grown up and attractive
to other men, If not to him: there
was some qualification IN that. He
would hate her after this. but she
couldn't stoop 70 ell him Of the mis-
take he had made. That would be
too terrible.
Late that afternoon HIadge got a
call in a feminine voice for the
foreman Of the composing room.
Probably he was as tickle as the girl
at central. she thought IT would
ease her conscience a little If he was,
so she listened to find out
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

phone call, she wouldn't listen TO
him. He wasn't going TO suffer the
humiliation Of a personal interview.
He tried TO talk to her over the
phone time and again, so 20 get rid
of him Madge switched him on the
central line. The girl at central
heard all that was intended for
Madge and made an appointment
with Teddy. He thought IL was
Madge and spent so much time in
jubilant meditation that he was late
with his society notes.
While Madge was trying to get
central for the manager. she heard
over the wire the telephone opera
tor there talking TO one Of the other
girls. Yes. just made a date with
one Of those reporters at the Times.
He was the cutest thing" the girl
was saying.
Hello. Times, give me the fore
man Of the composing room" the
operator broke in on Madge. Real
izing the mistake she had been the
cause Of Madge couldn't help listen
ing to the next conversation.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

This is Peg speaking, Dick.
Thought I'd let you know Flora has
made a date with one OF those fresh
reporters for tonight. at WHY'S.
think"
III RES him" Madge heard Dick
mutter as he put up the receiver.
Then she was in a panic. She
couldn't let Teddy go &c that place,
perhaps to be murdered. She mus
tered up courage to call him up, but
was nobody in the reportorial room
but the office boy. Mr. Brents
gone home; don't know where he
boards" was all she could get out Of
him. There was only one thing left
TO do and with grave foreboding
Madge decided upon IL.
Madge was at WHY'S first. She
took good care Of that at the ex-
pense OF a hasty preparation. She
would like 70 have fused" a little
more. but she hoped Teddy would
not notice that Perhaps he would
be mean and treat her like a little
girl, as he had done before, she
thought, but when she saw the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

empty save for Hester and the big
man sitting beside her desk. SO
there were no eyes 70 be opened IN
dismay when ne leaned forward
and took Hester's two hands IN his
and kissed them. Then he slipped
on his knees before her IN the at
titude OF suppncaton that Hester
thought had passed cut OF mode
among suitors
I'm mad about you. Hester. You
must listen 10 me. I've known YOU
only a few days. but with a girl like
you falling IN love doesn't take
long. That very first time I felt
there was something that drew us
together and I was fool enough 20
think that you felt that way. too.
Tell me you love me"
It belleve-in fact. I know that
II de love you There Is no usa
saying I don't. Perhaps after all,
Mr. Stevens would like Hazel Stop
pleton. I can't be a higamist even
II I am a suffragisti"
And Il was not til a half hour
later, after Hester had been escort
ed 10 her boarding house door. that
she realized that she was really
promised 20 marry the heir OF the
celebrated Mrs. Stevens and that
Robert Walker, private secretary.
was merely a convenient alias Of
that notable woman's grandson
Copyright. 1910.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

ing inquiries?"
Not at all He just went home
and sat down and thought aloud:
when a wilder woman is a wild
der woman what does she want most
on this earth? ?"
when a wilder woman has 70
make her own garden, milk her
COW, feed her hogs. take care Of the
chickens, split the wood, shovel
snow and build her own fires what
does she most sigh for?"
For a man. of course" he an
swered himself-"any fool knows
that"
The deacon set out with horse and
buggy and rode over most OF the
country. He finally found the man
he was looking for. and accosted him
with:
DO you want TO marry a wilder
woman with about S3,0OO?"
you bet your hat I do" was the
ready reply.
It did not take over half an hour
10 settle the details. but the deacon
thought best to wait ten days longer
before calling on the widow Ray
mond again. She met him with a
smile and said:
Deacon, am ready TO withdraw
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

a business man that he got a hint
that a railroad was coming 20 town,
and that the site Of the depot and
a repair shop would just cover what
was the town graveyard. There had
been talk for years about abandon
ing the old site for one better To-
Gated, and the deacon's offer for the
land was thought a liberal one. I'm
der a state law. however. If a single
objection was filed no move could
be made for a certain length Of time.
The widow Raymond had filed an
objection She had lost her hus-
band some five years before, and TO
put It in her words when the dea-
con called on her:
There is TO be a Judgment day,
isn't there?"
Yes, they say so"
Gabriel will blow his horn"
Il expect he will
And the quick and the dead will
rise up?"
Yes"
Deacon Goodhue. how far Is IL
from this TO the town Of Guilford %
Just seven miles, widder."
And a straight road ?"
There haint a bend in t."
We'll. everybody in this village
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

and. afforded the opportunity OF city
buying. she made the best OF IL.
Madge answered the buzz OF
Teddy's telephone. When he asked
for an explanation of her GOODNESS
the only answer ne got was: What
number did you want?" He hung
up his receiver with disgust and
didn't try again for days.
The other men on the staff were
not so cody treated by the new girl
on the switchboard. Teddy noted
with alarm her preference for Billy
Gibbs. Billy and his wife were not
on speaking terms and Billy was
trying 20 get a divorce. Teddy knew
and he wondered If Madge did. OF
course II was none of his business,
he thought, but then he was her ex-
teacher and owed her his protection.
But that wouldn't be fair to Billy.
Perhaps Billy had secured his di-
vorce and hadn't said anything
about II. He was a good sort and his
friendship wasn't to betrifed with.
Teddy resolved to talk 10 Madge,
but when she answered his tele-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

I'm! Why, there is Deacon Good e.
hue?"
go for him!"
The COW was driven over to the
deacon's. He stood a rod away and
looked her over and shook his head
and replied:
Bad case Of the holler-hOrn."
But you can cure it"
Il don't want to. Let her die on
your hands!"
That reply went to the parson,
and he was askeJ to entertain
charges.
Was there any cheating on the
part OF the deacon?" he asked.
''NO-o-O, not skassly."
Then what can he be charged
with?"
why, refusing to do a neigbbcr-
ly act!'
You believe in Moses, don't you ?"
"Of course. paTson."
He was a good man?'
"A mighty good man."
HE was the owner of cows?"
He was"
do you think he would trade a
good cow for one with the hollow
horn7"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21
BIZ Mda Morris

or 20 play for him evenings IN the
dingy parlOr. He was a selfish fell
low and he couldn't help but %
very glad she was coming back
why don't you move IN your
self Mildred was saying. You
don't have 10 be IN the city There's
a splendid light room upstairs you
could use for a studio for your IL
lustrations-or YOU could even com
mute II you chose. The trains are
rather regular"
Il couldn't-now." he said. TITS
rented. It's your house. There's
Just one condition under which I
might live here. That is"
She waited, wondering. her heart
curiously a-iutter before his tender
ewes
THAT you will stay here with me.
Could you marry me. Mildred. even
though I offered YOU nothing better
than this uttle house. and love "
"Oh. David" she whispered. 'I
could. And nobody In all the
world could wish for any more,"
Copyright 1870
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

by which she could escape her year
at the school. II only she could
paint, or write. or do some clever
thing to earn a living at home! or
II she only had a rich uncle or
father or a husand. She blushed
at this last thought, and rose TO
pull down the windows. The threat
OF rain had become a reality II
began 10 fall in sudden torrents. As
Mildred stood at the window she
saw a man come down the road,
running. He turned suddenly. and
sought shelter under the big oak
tree before her house. At that mo-
ment a glimmer Of lightning flashed
out. Mildred rushed 70 the door.
please come in" she called. You
might be struck under that tree. II
isn't safe"
"All right" he called back IN a
pleasant voice. and in two OF three
bounds he was on the veranda.
shaking himself like a big New
foundland.
I'm pretty wet" he smiled. y
hope"
But Mildred interrupted him with
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21
Copyright. 1870

Copyright. 1910
Teddy Brent wasn't used TO being
snubbed-before all the boys Of the
STAFF. too: that was the rub. In the
city his breezy. sunshiny air had
won him many friends and his ready
wit kept them around him in droves.
There wasn't a girl in the Office who
wouldn't jump at the chance of go
ing out TO lunch with him-that was
before this little girl from his home
town came 10 push in the plugs on
the switchboard
lie recognized her the first day
little MadEe Murray. whom he had
taught in the village school the first
year after he left normal the year
re found out he wasn't cut out for
a teacher and left for the city 20 try
his hand I'm the newspaper game.
She had written him such nice
school grille letters. that first year
in the city. and when ne went home
for the first well-earned vacation he
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21
b. John BogLan

my protest"
Has something happened, Wild
der?" he innocently queried.
Il am going 10 marry a man
named Rogers
You don't say"
Yep. No more single blessed
ness for me"
But about Peter when the horn
blows?"
"Oh. as 10 that I've been thinkin.'
If Peter. when the Judgment day
comes, can't keep up with the scrsm-
BILE. he must put up with the best he
can dO!'
And when the villagers heard that
the deacon had made a clear $4,000
| by securing a husband for the
widow and selling the property %
the railroads. they went 20 the par
son again.
LAS take IT," he replied. ''the
widow couldn't look around. and 50
the deacon did II for her"
But he made $4,000"
And out Of II he has paid up my
back salary, and is going 10 repaint
! the meeting house and provide Ii
/ with a spire and new cushions Tbs
deacons all right"
| Copyright, 1910
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

Something unusual had happen
Cd at suffrage headquarters that
rIorning A man-and a big. thor
oughly masculine one. too. who
looked as II with the proper make
up he might have been a moving
picture impersOnatiOn OF the good
looking western ranchmau or cow
boy-had actually walked up 20 Miss
Hester Judd's desk-Hesrer was the
paid secretary Of the organization-
and had asked 20 enroll as "a mem
Der. To be sure. there We're many
men on the list Of membership. but
those men members were usually
brothers or fathers, whose task Of
becoming suffragists had been
smoothed by some daughter. wife.
or sister. eager 20 add new names
20 the roll and more membership
fees 10 the treasury. 10 was really
rather unusual for a man Of his
own free viii 10 walk right up TO
the secretary and say. as did this
newest member: Of you please.
miss. ia like 20 belong 10 your or
ganlzation. and II there is anything
7 can do besides paying a 'checH for
a hundred dollars 20 show ] am a
member. be so good as TO tell me
what thai IS I'd like 70 come 20
the meetings and do anything else
I can 10 help"
The newcomer hesitated when II
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-21

The caller went away disgruntled,
and the deacon kept right on being
good TO himself.
No deacon has ever been consid-
cred a good business man. and when
il was known that Deacon GOOdhue
was branching out a little it was
predicted that:
The eggs he sent to market would
all addle.
That the butter would all turn
frowny.
That the strawberries would turn
sour, and that the calfskins would
be losing venture.
They went TO the parson again.
and after he had heard the story he
replied:
"Oh. don't know"
But you will surely talk 10 him 20
Oh, yes. 1 will tell him that I
wished more men OF the world at
tended my church,"
PEARSON Stebbins!" was gasped
I'm which event my salary, poor
as it is. would not be from five to
six months behindw
Deacon Goodhue was like dram
atist. He worked up TO climax.
Perhaps II was because he was not