He always sat in the same pew, and none coming into the Church previously to Deacon Gramps ever dared sit in his pew any more than they dared to monopolize the preacher's chair in the pulpit.

He always enjoyed the double pleasure of chewing his tobacco and hearing the sermon simultaneously, and this necessitated his occupying a pew near the window, as you may well suppose.

This window was known to roguish boys as "Deacon Window" and not even the bravest of these boys dared peep through this window during services as was their custom in the case of the other windows.
Perhaps it is needless to say that the uninterrupted presence of Gramps had a profound influence upon the service.

No preacher dared to fail to recognize his dignity.

As well as being an officer in the church he was the heaviest contributor to its collections.