The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-08-05
The Hundred Pound Note
CHAPTER I.
SUMMONED TO A DEATH-BED.

e-yy r. SUMMONED TO A DEATH-BE
The curate of quiet country parish
has neither to work as hard as his breth-
rem of large cities, nor, as rule, does he
meet with those strange and startling ex-
periences which it is often their lot to
witness. Still, at times, singular events
cross the path of the rural clergyman,
and they are afterwards all the more Wv
idly remembered by him because of the
calm monotony of his ordinarylife. Such
an adventure once befel myself; and as,
although it happened several years ago,
retain q remarkably distinct recollection
of it, I think the reader may be glad to
see it in print.
was seated in my study one sultry
Saturday afternoon in July, putting the
finishing touches to the sermon which /
had been requested to preach the next
day at Foxford Church, in behalf Fox
ford Dispensary, when my landlady's
daughter tapped gently at the door, say
ing:
1If you please, sir, David Dymond has
come to say that his father is deal worse
and would you be so kind as to step down
and see him?" a ~
As have always made it a rule never
to let any other clerical work interfere
With such solemn summonses as these,
replied that would Immediately, and at
once took my hat. On going out, i found
David standing in the porch, conyersing
in low, earnest tones with Maria Worth
the daughter of my landlady. [ could
not help remarking to myself what &
pretty picture the youthful pair woule
have afforded an artists pencil. David
was tall, broad-chested, handsome young
fellow, whose originally fair complexion
was bronzed nut-brown by perpetual ex
posure to the weather, His hair was
iieht and curling, his eyes deep blue, and
serious in expression, while the broad
brimmed straw hat and open shirt collar
added to the unstudied picturesqueness Of
his appearance. He was an excellent type
of the noble Saxon breed which are apt
to degenerate in the large towns, and i:
only to be seen in rural districts. Maria
was in her way equally attractive, being O.
slender, graceful figure, with glossy blacl
hair. which made the delicate coloring O
her face seem all the fairer by the fore
of contrast. AS I drew near, the young
man hastily dropped hand he had beef
holding in his own, and conscious blusl
oyerspread both the lovers faces. | sa..
&Ioyers" for it was currently reported II
Headingly that mutual affection existed
between these two young people, and
was affirmed with equal confidence tina
old Worth, the wheelwright, would neve
hermit them to marry if he could proven
the match. The Dymonds were beneatl
the Worths in social position. Mr.. Wortl
was master mechanic, owner OF seVera
cottages in the village, and with a vas
sum of money, nearly two hundred pound
it was asserted-invested in the bank a
Foxford while David Dymond was th
son of humble day laborer, who, excep
in harvest time, had never in the couIs
of long industrious life earned NOR
than ten shillings week It is true tina
David had been emancipated from tn,
serf.ike thraldom which had bound hi
father, for he had served his time to tn
wheelwright's business. and was now il
receipt of good weekly wages. Still thi
did not remove the inequality which, il
Mr.. Worth's eyes, existed between tn
two families. In addition to this obstacl
David had half-brother named Reuben
and Mr.. worth was very 10th that hi
dauphter should ever call Reuben Dr.
n,ond her brother-in-law. So the youn,
neople sighed for each other in secret
and exchanged mutual vows Q
Affection whenever they happened, as i
fbe nresent instance, to be a few moment
Alone with each other.
Ut beg your pardon, sir" said David
20 :.Ixa+ rasnnctf1Ilv .Abllt Won ha
better take your umbrella. Tneres
storm coming up over yonder."
David was quite right. ! had been
engrossed by my sermon that l nao take
no note of the threatening aspect OF th