The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-04
The Parsons Leap Year.

SITS very pleasant parish said the
Rev. Mr.. Racquet, ''and very pleasant
people. The elder ladies are steady,
consistent workers, the younger active
and enthusiastic. l don't think if had
possessed the privilege of selecting tor
myself, could have found mere de-
lightful position"
Mr.. Roderic Racquet was SIX and
twenty, with g straight nose, pleasant
blue eyes, ard general talent for being
satisfied with everybody and everything
He was located in his first parish, pict-
uresque little knot of houses, overhang
9. brisk cataract, which made work for
mills and factories, and filed ali the adj
jacent woods with It's noisy melody,
and so far he was one Of those excep-
tons in life, perfectly and well satisfied
man.
"Ah," said his frieni, Mr.. Alton,
who was misan-hrope, "The ladies,
eL?
eyes," said NJ Racquet, "for Of
course YOU know that much OF the pro.
priety Of county depend: upon its fe-
male members.
eyes" observed Mr. Alton dryly,
"You are an unmarried man believer
81 am an unmarried man-yes, GER
tain!v"
"And this is-leap year?'
"Nonsen,e {" cried the parson briskly.
Il hope YOU may find it nonsense"
said Mr. Alton, pursuing his lips; but
1 am told that there are good many
single ladies this year wl.o are driven
desperate .y ne prospect Of spinster-
hood"
"Nonsense Y again exclaimed Mr.
Racquet. my Gear Alton, this is a
little too much of burlesoue. You
dent seriously believe in this--this alb
surditvl'
MIR. Alton only shook his head, as he
reached for his hat.
"Ill get my book, Racquet" said he,
as he looked lugu5riously around .he
room, "and go out 70, stroll in these
delicious pine-scented woods. Ny doc
tor says that pine sap is very healing
for lungs that axe consumptively in
Glued
VERY wei" said Racquet, with a
glance at the scattering sheets of the
half completed sermon that lay on his
desk; "and will Join you after little
period of time"
He took up his pen, dipped it deter
minedly in the inkstard, and went reso-
lutely to writing; bu- in spite Of all his
industry, the words Of his iconoclastic
friend rang persistentiy in his ears.
IF there should be any foundation for
Altons absurd idea - he pondered, with
his pen suspended above MS partially
written sheet. "But, OF course, there
can't be; but il such a possibility did ex
ist-ani married man is really bet
ter member Of society than single
one / never did adhere to the rigid
doctrine that clergymeu should be ce!e.
bates r
And all the while Rosa Appleton's
cherry cheeks and tangled yellow hair
were dancing human willie '-wisp before
the horizon of his mind's eye.
sShe's young he said to himself,
';and perhaps : trihe inclined to be gid
dy, but she's certainly very charming.
Aud, since the Appleton's have failed,
and the mother has opened boarding
l,ouse, and Lucilla has gone to teaching,
do not think l could do better than to
marry"
'Rosa Appleton, sir, il you please y
1t was timid little voice that broke
ia upon the thread OF his reflections,
and Rosa herself stood before him, col
otiny all over like a pink calnation
with basket of late peaches in her
hand, and white, huttering ribbons il
her hat
aTve callel on business, sir" said
Rosa.
The Rev. Roderic moved forward
chair.
"Pray, be seated, Miss Appleton,
sid he. not without some confusion on
his own part.
1f they had been living in the Palace
Of Truth, and Rosa could have seen into
tie depths of his heart
And Miss Appleton sat down, pulling
neryously at the fingers of her brown
thread gloves.