Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-16
@NOrtester 1ailp Spp.
THE cLERGYMAN,s L1EuTENANr.

gust morning, and throwing open her cham
Der window, shifted once or twice, at the fra
GRANGE coming up from the roses in the garden
below. Then she hunted moment Tor hel
spectacles upon the bureau, and putting then
on, looked eagerly at Randall cottage over the
way. very modest, pretty little house il
was, with roses and syringas growing under
each window, and woodbine and jessamine
climbing over the door but Miss Jeaby wa:
not admlring its beauty just then. She look
ed up at front window, on the second floor
and gave vicious snort.
"As expected She isn't up yet, end here
1t is six o'clock And where is he won
der 2"
Before she had time to answer the question
as it was asked-mentaly-the front door Of
the cottage opened, and Miss Jelaby, shrink.
ing behind her curtain, saw handsome, sun
burned man come out, and go down the gar
den walk, with cigar in his mouth. 1t was
easy to see by the slight roll in his walk, that
he was sailor, though for the matter of that
his bearing, handsome face and frank hearty
manner, would have told the tale if he had
never stirred step. With his hands in his
pockets, he sauntered among the roses, bend.
ing down now and then as if to say good morn
ing to the fairest, and always removing the ci
gar from his lips when he did So
He couldn't do no more it he was speaking
to woman" said the spinster, applying her
eye TO hole left purposely in the white cur.
tain, "The man is mad about flowers, do be.
lieve, and she is a touch hey ond him, if such
thing can be. All, there she comes-and
dressed in blue gingham, too. | wonder what
her morning gowns cost her through the year?
And her slippers-oh, mercy, there they 90
right through the wet-well, there -"
Words tailed the worthy spnster. Mean
while the owner of the slippers-and very
pretty little affairs they were-bronzed laced
and r0setted with spangle that shone like a
dew drop) tripped down the walk, so lightly
that the gentleman did not hear her step and
coming upon him as he bent over a bed of VIC
lets. gave him push that sent him on his face
among them. To see her laugh-to see him
blunder up and chase her through alleys-to
see him kiss her, when lie prisoned her at last
III his strong arms-and to see her pretend TO
box his ears tor twas a sight for a loving
heart 10 watch-but Miss Jellaby, over oppo.
site, nearly tainted away with horror. She
rang her bell violently, and a square faced,
sour-looking woman, who had lived with her
for years, made her appearance.
"Susan p
"Well, said the amiable domestic, briefly.
Before Miss Jellaby could speak, the uncon-
scious pair in the opposite garden transgressed
against propriety again.
IL.
with his arm around her waist-.just look at
her, Susan Do you mean to stand there and
tell me that that man is only her brother 2"
Dear me, ma'am-how can l tell D? l only
know that they look alike, and that they have
the same name, Helen and Philip Graham. 1
was told so"
"Humph! It's my opinion that some one
ought TO speak TO Mr. Fullerton"
The minister =? What for ?''
care you such fool, Susan, as not to see
what it all means. They are no more brother
and sister than you and | are !"
"Well, what are they then 90
"That remains to be told-the wretches
But MIR. Fullerton will soon set them to rights
l shall go and see him after breakfast. don't
know what the poor man would do without
me-"
Have some peace, 1 suppose" muttered
1sreaHlaSs "eAs,e' o'el, -'-Ass OSfsaVJ essrsreSA
forth TO the parsonage.
The good pastor looked up with a meek
sigh, as that lady entered his study.
The clergyman was quiet, peace-loving
man, hat timid witha and the spinster
always overpowered him with her arguments,
when she attempted to do so. She stayed
nearly half an hour with him at the expira-
tion Of that time people who were on the
lookout saw her conveying the unhappy par
son in the direction and, at last, through the
very gate of Randall Cottage.
A tidy looking old servant admitted them,
ushered them into a pleasant nursery room,
and said she would go and tell her mistress of
their arrival. Mr.. Fullerton sat on the edge
of his CHAIR very uneasy in mind, and wish.
ing with all his heart that he was at home
again. Miss Jellaby strobe up and down the
room like dragon, cycling everything about
her, and making observations in an under tone,
which, however, he could not help hearing.
"Such extravaganza Look at that carpet,
uow-all roses and lilies and struggling green
vines. Why can't they be contented with
drugget, as ] am"
She took another turn.
"And guitar Spaniards, 1 don't doubt;
or Italians; and the Iesl follows as a matter of
course. Mr.. Fullerton, believe these people
are heathens !"
Hardly, l think, or they never would have
come to church last Sunday"
ooh you don't know that; perhaps they
had some private end to gain by it" said
Miss Jellaby.
The spinster's unreasonable suspicious
tickled Mr.. Fullerton beyond measure. She
saw him laughing, and grew indignant.
"Let those laugh that win, say, Mr.. Full
lerton | don't doubt you will feel more like
crying before this business is settled"
"Nor II said the minister, with rueiul
look.
"a cruciix, as l am sinner" she muir
INJURED moment afterwards. "There, Mr..
Fullerton, what did l tell you hanging on
the wall here in broad daylight. Shall pull
it down @
care you beside yourself Miss Jellaby ?"
said Mr.. Fullerton, springing up and arresting
her hand just in tine.
The sound of voices and laughter in the
garden prevented her giving him what she
n al. 1. Il how
race up the broad path, that sobered into a
walk when the young couple neared the win
dows, followed by the old servant, who had
been in the grounds to call them.
They entered the room together, flushed
with their trolic, but looking happy and
pleased TO meet the clergyman.
"Sin wears different face from that" he
said, to himself, as he shook hands with them.
They turned to the spnster, who had bolster.
ed herself up against the chimney piece, and
stood cycling them with sour disdan.
Your neighbor, Miss Jellaby," said Mr..
Fullerton, adding in low whisper to her, as
they sought about the room for easy chairs
"its all a mistake, my good Creature--there'
nothing wrong here. III have nothing to do
with the matter. Say nothing, and let this
pass as a morning cal"
"Say nothing, indeed Mr.. Fullerton,
am asionished at you'll" was her reply, toe
audibly made, however, for Mr.. Graham
heard it, though he was too courteous to look
surprised.
pray take this easy chair, Mr.. Fullerton,
said Helen, who wondered inwardly at the
strange behavior of her guests.
mo, my child" said the clergyman, kindly
Sometime l hope to come again. can on'y
express my sorrow at having been persuaded
against my better judgment to enter thes
doors ON such an absurd errand-and leav'
you"