The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-04-14

baby; and another piece of the church
roof fell in, and nearly carried Brooks the
church warden with it, as he was mounted
on ladder estimating its repairs-for there
was an archdeacon's visitation coming on,
and not even the vulcanized conscience of
a parish functionary could be brought to
pronounce, on oath, it's present state of
repair to be good and sufficient. And
Harry received an invitation to dine with
the said archdeacon, who was good kind
of man on the whole-that is, his good
qualities would not very well bear taking to
pieces but he rather patronized the
younger clergy in his neighborhood, pro-
vided that they were young men of tolerable
family, and good address, and not, as he
expressed it, ultra in any way 1t SO hap
pened, that he was almost the only ac-
quaintance that Harry had made in the
neighborhood. He had written to request
his interference in enforcing the repair of
the church and as that was a compliment
seldom paid to his official dignity, the arch
deacon had actually driven over thirteen
miles TO inspect the place personally; and,
arriving quite unexpectedly, had caught
the curate just sallying forth equipped for
fishing-an art to which he himself occa-
sionally condescended-for even archdea-
cons do unbend. And very soon ascer-
tanning that there was no tendency to an
Objectionable ultra, of any kind, in our hero,
and that he was in fact, rather an eligible
rear-rank man for dinner-table, he had
made mental memorandum of the fact,
and, in consequence, had twice favored him
with an invitation, which Harry, according
to his present humor, had declined. On this
occasion, however-as a third refusal would
have seemed ungracious--he had deter
mined to 60 and, with some compunction
at the expense (he had thought nothing at
Oxford of a hunter, and "team" to cover,
at about five guineas for the day, he found
himself in hired gig at the arohdeacon's
door, little before the dinner hour on the
day appointed, None of the guests were as
yet assembled. His host, however, met
him in the drawing-room, and presented
him, with considerable cordiality, to his
lady, and her daughters.
at was very good indeed of Mr.. Bolton
to come SO far to see u.s." said the archdea-
con. Indeed, am particularly glad you
came today" continued he, with sort of
pompous kindness, "for have the bishop
staying here, and wished you to meet
him."
Harry was interrupted in his acknowl-
edgments, by the entrance of two men of
the expected party: the Honorable and
Reverend Mr.. Luttridge, young man, who
eyed his brother curate, on his introduction,
with what he intended for critical and
interrogative glance, which had by no
means the effect upon that party which he
intended aud another archdeacon, or
dean, or some other dignitary, who made
Bolton very low bow indeed; and, turn
ing his back upon him forthwith, began to
discourse with the other two upon the bu-
siness of the last Petit Sessions. A discus
sion upon some point of magisterial law
was interrupted by burst of shrill and
hearty laughter from the younger of the
|
whom Harry had struck up an acquaint-
ance instantly-that was point he never
failed in; and although the other two gen.
tleman looked rather astonished, and turned
round again to resume their argument. The
father-she was his favorite daughter, and
ludicrously like him-was delighted to see
her amused, and insisted upon knowing
what the fun was between them. Some
absurd remark of Harry's was repeated as
we'll as her continued merriment would
allow her; and the archdeacon, after a
preparatory shaking Of his sides, had just
burst into a stentorian ha-ha," when the
drawing room door again opened, and the
Bishop of F---was most audibly an
nounced.
Every one tried to look deferential, of
course and the two gentlemen in front of
Harry separated, and took open order to
receive his lordship. Everybody recovered
their propriety, in fact, in an instant, ex-
cept Miss Harriet, to whom bishop was
no treat at all--not to be compared with
an amusing young curate. She kept her
eyes fixed upon Harry Bolton-she thought
he was going to faint. Could it be possible
20, there was no doubt about it. Sehis-
matte Doctor Bates, or Bishop Of p
there he was there was the man he had
walked home in the rain with
Harry's quondam guest walked forward
with an easy grace, which contrasted strilS-