Litchfield enquirer., 1856-10-09
Leaves from the Journal of a Poor Vicar IN WIT VSuJpr
IN WILISHIRE.o Q

Dee. 14, l76l.-1 received today from Dr. Snar my Rector, 4l0 sterling, being the amount of my haIt-year's salary. The receipt even of this hardIy-earned sum was accompa- nicd by many disagrceable circumstances.
 After had walted an hour aud half in the cold unte-chambcr of the Rector, Was ad- matted to his presence. He was seated ill Il large easy chair at his writing desk my money was already counted out. Ny low bow he returned w.th majestic sidr-nod, while he slightly pushed back his beautiful black silk cap, and immediately drew it on again. He is certainly man of much dignity. I cannot approach him without awe. 1 do believe should uot cutter the kings presence with more reverence.
 He d,d not ask me to sit down, although he knew that l had this very morning walked eleven mIcs in bad weather, and that the hour ] and halfs was.ing Ill the aute-chamber had not much rested my wearied limbs. He point cd with his hand to the money 1 My heart beat violently when l would in- troduce the subject, long thought of aud well conned, of . little increase of my salary Would 1 were able to overcome my baekward- ness in the nest innocent, nay 1 will say, even i in the most righteous cause. With a trepida- l tion as if l were about to commit crime, endeavored twice to tell my tale Memory, words, and voice failed me. The sweat stood ill great drops on my forehead What do you wish ?' said tue rector be- 1 nignautly.
 Il am--evcrything is 50 dear-scarcely able to get through these hard times, with my small salary
 Small salary, Mr. Vicar How can you think so! l can any day procure another wear for ll5 sterling year." ] For Gl5 les without a family, he migfst get along with that sum-"
 Your family. Mr. Vicar, has not received ! any addition, 1 trust. You have only tive daughters 7"
 ! Yes your reverence ;; but these are grow ing up. My Jenny. the eldest, is now eight cen, and Polly, the younger.will soon be twelve.
 So much the better. Can't your girl work ?"
 was going toTeply, when he hinacred mc by rising and observing, while he went to tn, window aud tapped with his fingers on tn glass, that he had no time to talk with me tte day |" Think it over" he concluded, whethe you will retain your place at 4l5 year, ans let me know. If you can't, hope you will ge better situation for New Year's present." He bowed very politely, and again touched his cap. I hastily seized the money and tool my leave I was thunderstrack. He ha, never received nor dismissed me so coldiy be fore Without doubt somebody has beel speaking i'll of me. He did not even invite m to dinner as had always before been his GUS tom. l had counted upon it, for came fror Crekelad without breaking my fast. bough a loaf in the outskirts of the town at a baker shop. observed in passing and ate it on m way homewards.
 How cast down was as trudged along | cried like a child. Tue bread was eatin was wet with my teaes.
 Fy, Thomas Shame upon thy faint heart Lives not the gracious God still :? What thou hadst lost the place altogether! And is only @ lessa It is indeed quarter of m whole little yearly stipend, and it leaves barrel Tod day to feed and ciothe three of us.- What Is there left for uss He who cloths the lilies of the field He who feeds tf young ravens! We must deny ovrselves son of our opportunities.
 Q Two spirited transiations of this tale have a
 ready been made in this country-the frst of .whic by Mrs Ellet appeared in a moathiy magazine
 this city, and the second. by the Rev wm Furnes lwas published in the Gift annnasss in fs1fisir it, not in the hope m improving 1t. but to make
 uniform with the original edition from which the
 transatious made. the editor aas had tcsse i, mer versions constantly before him. and In mal
 passases found he could do no better than copy o or the other armcsi literally. PC.