"That's all right, Deacon," said Abner. "I don't blame yer fer havin'
yer little joke. I've worked so long fer the Professor that I expect to
have it flung up at me. But I've renounced the Evil One and all his
wicked ways, and I want to be taken into a good Christian home, and
eventooally jine the church."
"While the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return,"
quoted the Deacon, as he hung up one piece of harness and took down
another.
"That's true as Gospel," said Abner; "and I hope you'll see it's your
duty, as I've heerd Parson Howe say, to save the brand from the
burnin'."
"Well, you go in and talk to Mrs. Mason," said the Deacon; "she's the
one that wants the work done, and if she's satisfied to give yer a
trial, it's all the same to me."
"Thank yer, Deacon," answered Abner. "There's one p'int in my favor,
Deacon; I hain't got no girl, and I sha'n't take any of your time to go
courtin';" and with this sly dig at Hiram, he went in to settle his fate
with the Deacon's wife.
On that same Wednesday morning all of the Pettengill family were
together at the breakfast table.
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