The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-24
TIE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD.
By DIR. OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

By DIR. OLIVER GOLDSMITH.
wes ever of opinion that TIE honest
man WHO married, and brought up &
large family, did more service than he
who continued single and [ had scarce
taken orders year before | chose. my
wife. O good natured, notable woman,
who could read any English book with
out much spelling, while for picking,
preserving and cookery none could excel
her. We loved each other tendcrly, had
nm elegant house in good neighborhood,
and lived many years i'll statc-of much
happiness.
Oar children were we'll formed and
healthy, and, though VIC had but six, l
considered them n very valuable present
made to my country. Our eldest son was
named George our second child, girl,
Olivia another girl, Sophia Moses was
our next; and, after twelve Years, we
had two sons more, Richarland William.
When our visitors would say:
"Mrs. Primrose, you have the finest
children in the whole country
cay, neighbor," she would answer,
"they are as Heaven made them-hand-
some enough if they be good enough !;
for handsome is that handsome does. "
And then she would bid the girls hold
up their heads ; who, to conceal moth
ing, were certainly very handsome.
Matrimony was always one OF my
favorite topics, and wrote several SER
mons to prove its happiness. 1t was,
perhaps, from hearing marriage 50 often
recommended that my eldest son, upon
leaving Oxford, fixed his affections upon
neighboring clergyman's daughter,
Miss Arabclla Wilmot, who was allowed
by oil Except my two daughters) to be
completely pretty. Everything was
soon happily arranged, but, as Mr.. VIII
mot was courting his fourth wife, and |
always stoutly contenled that clergy
man should not marry a second time,
our controversies on this point began to
cool his friendship. The day before the
wedding n relation of mine called with
sorry news.
1.-The merchant in town" said he, "in
whose hands your money was lodged, has
gone off to avoid bankruptcy, and Is
thought not to have left shilling in the
pound"
This blow soon determined Mr.. VIII
mot to break off tie match, and my
family found themselves hnmbled i'll the
world. without an education to render
them Gallons to it's contempt. As we had
only four hundred pounds remaining out
OF fourteen thousand, I joyiully accepted
a small cure of fifteen pounds year,
meaning to increase my salary by farm
ing. My eldest son George having
started for London to seek his fortune,
VIC set out soon after for o,lr new home.
Stopping the first night at al obscure
inn, we found there poor gentl"man,
named Burchcll, who lacked money t"
pay his reckoning. having temporarily
impoverished himself by his benevolcncc.
I gladly lent him two pounds, and, dur
ing part of the next day, he Travelled
with us, giving me an entertaining ac-
count of Sir William 1hornllill, the gen
crous and eccentric uncle of our new
landlord, and cndealing himself to us all
by plunging into rapid stream and res
cling Sophia, who had been thrown from
hor horse by the force of the current.
Our retreat was in a little neighbor
hood of frugal farmers. The house, of
one story, was suugly thatched and nicely
whitewashed inside, and, though the
same room served for parlGr and kitchen,
that only made it the warmer. We had
many simple pleasures to refresh us after
our honest industry, and often sat to-
gether, when the weather was fine, on 4
rustic seat overshadQwed with hawthorn
and honeysucilc.
There, one holiday, a genteel Young
man approached us with careless supe-
rior air, and soon let us know that he was
S1uire Thornhiil, our landlord. Such is
the power of fortune and fine clothes that
he was forthwith on the easiest terms
with the female part of the family, and
readily obtained permission to renew his
visits.
Ny wife thought this meeting most
lucky hit, and declared she could see no
reason why the two Miss Wrinktcrs
should marry great fortunes, and her
children get none Observing that Olivia
secretly admired the squire, [. warned
them heartily against disproportionel
friendships, but the arrival OF a side Of
venison, with his compliments, dlllled the
edge of my rcmonstrance..
That evening poor Mr.. BIlrchell made
Us visit, and helped us the next day in
the bayfield,, assisting Sophia with assid~
uity but I had too good an opinion OF
her understanding to be under any un-
casiness from the attentions Of man of
broken fortune.
Shortly after, we entertained our land
lord at dinner, and, though he talked
Ike fippant frcethinker, he made him.
self highly agreeable to Olivia and her
mother, who began to speak exultantly
Of match with the squire's family, and
defended him with warmth, when I de-
. clared:
Il could have been better pleased
with one that was poor and honest, than
this fine gentleman with his fortune and
infidelity."
The next morning Mr.. Burchell came
again, and though lie was always cheer
fll, amiable and even wise, I began to be
displeased with the impression he seemed
to be making on Sophia. However, he
took himself away when the squire sent
word by his chaplain that he intended
giving a moonlight ball on the grass be.
fore our door. Mr.. Thornhill fetched
two young ladies of fashion from town
neighbor Flamborough's rosy daughters
were brought in, Haunting with red top
knots, and we had very gay time of it,
winding up with prayers.