The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-11-01
THE VILLAGE BANKER.

Whatever is, is right" said Sir
Philip Wentworth, smiling, as he toyed
with peach after dinner, and watched
q bevy of delicious children romping in
his park, which stretched for many an
acre In view through the open windows.
The speaker was pleasant, mellow
gentleman, still on the sunny side of
middle age. He had twenty or thirty
thousand year, not much as times 90,
but enough for him and his, because he
lived in the country and his tastes were
simple. The only expensive habit he
cherished was custom of keeping open
house, a. his father and grandfather had
done before him. Wentworth was the
1avorltc meet of the country hounds. It
was place much beloved also by bish,
ops during their visitation, and by
judges on circuit. It was famous full
twenty mile, round for its home grown
veal, aud for cream cheeses, butter and
ducklings. Its nectarines and it's pears.
too, We're tho pride of the neighbor-
hood.
All about Sir Philip was agreeable and
even dignified. His wife was as fresh
and sweet as full blown rose. It did
hollow eyed Londoners good to look at
her, and sent them away to their coun-
try cousins full of matrimonial projects.
Lady Wentworth was one of those COM
Portable housewives who keep BIRTHDAYS
and holidays. There was nearly always
some little festival going on at the hall,
and the merry making there was not
done In slovenly, disdalnful way.
New Years day, or Christmas, at
Wentworth was refreshment for the
soul and body of every one present at
It,. The Wentworths did not only pass
few weeks of the year among their
Bucklnghamshire woods and meadows:
they lived there. They spent their
money on their neighbors, and took
their joys and sorrows with them. Sir
Philip and his wife could both carve at
harvest home or rent day lunch, and
did so.
=" Your ladyship will spoil your
sleeves, said the rector of the parish
to his patrons wife at such time, when
ne saw some of her modest braveries in
danger of destruction from the gravy of
baron of beef.
"We can afford new dress on such
occasions as these" replied nv lady.
simply; yet, as have said, the Went.
worths were not rich, and they might
have easily spent the gross total of their
income during London season. Moth
ing but rural ways and admirable
management would have enabled them
to live SO plentifully, yet so we'll within
their means for they had not only
themselves to think about, but family
which came into bloom regularly at the
rate of one or two blossoms every year
Whatever is, is right" then re-
marked Sir Philip, taking a not unrea
sonable view of the world around him
that Is to say, his own scraps of time aud
space in it. After all, the wisest of us
can only speak sincerely from our per
sonal experience; all other speech is
made merely of breath and specula-
tions.
49," Humph 1 dare say you think go,
Sir Philip" replied Mr.. Montmain, one
OF the primo of Lincoln's inn, who had
come to see the country gentleman re-
specting minors estate of which thew
were co-trustaes.
TO be sure I think so," resumed
Sir Philip, heartily, as he gazed with all
the happiness of ownership Oh tho land
scape, dotted with deer and children,
stately trees, and q lake which shone in
twilight softened by summer moon
Ike molten silver, all aglow with beauty.
Ha said Mr. Montmain, in q
musing tone.
Jou tHluh sO aSKeQ
Philip, somewhat slyly, for he loved to
smile with his guests over royal joke
without any point in it. Like most dull
folk he thought jest decent enough
when it was unintelligible, for then it
frightened nobody.
"Oh, yes, think so. I think that
whatever il, is right Just now for me. I
can't go further than that, replied Mr..
Montmain. 81 have, as you humorously
imply, a very good business. So have
You. No better trade still exists than
the earliest known among men, which
was that of the grazier. Abel seems to
have kept grass farm after the fall,
and Adam must have tanght him to
handle his land. The patriarcbs gen
orally lived in clover, as you do, aud
were frequently pleased with their
property. You are q sort of modern
job before he was bothered by Beelze.
bub. am-well, I am kind of
Protestant cardinal. Attorneys are the
priesthood Of Great and Little Britain"
"Truly," declared Sir Philip, who
had often seen with awe the height and
magnitude of bills Of costs. "Now the
golden fleece comes from the ass rather
than from the sheep, and parchment
yields bigger revenue than wool and
mutton"
Perhaps they do" assented the
prosperous lawyer, nodding complacent-
"Tken we agree in thinking that