The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-05
THE PRESS.
The Bishop Astray.
[Rlackwood's Magazine.l


A Bishop having preached with effect on
the Sunday in the rural parish of Winford, has
set forth ON the Monday to ride through the
wood to Winbeach, where he is to open a
church. He has sent his man and his luggage
by train, and, as the way is not long, and the
day exceeding fair, he rides along on a bridll-
path. Ambling easily, he permits himself to
be soothed by the sweet air of spring.
How sweet the air is! 1t is an old saving
but oh, how profoundly true! that the
renewal of the year suggests ALWAYS the re-
newal of youth. The memory of childhood's
hours is strangely clear with me TODAY.
That looks delightful seat; nature seems
TO have prepared throne for me in the for
est; should like to get off and try it, And
why should l not? have abundance of
time. Whoa. Steady, old horse, while I
dismount Good Robin There YOU are
securely fastened; and now-yes; the seat
is most excellent. Ha! what a change from
the neutrality-suspicious., soft, delightful!
think | may venture to lay aside nv hat
the air is so soft that have no fear of TAX
ing cold; this glade is SO secluded that sure
ly | need not hesitate to lay aside nv dignity
for the moment-(he lays aside his hat
Memories OF my careless, Maynard boyhood
throng thick upon me. What climber I
was! L should have been up among the
branches in those days, not sitting among
have risen to some eminence-yes. [ can
can afford an idle hour-an hour of sitting
lowly amid the gnarled roots. Wouldn't If
be better if leaned little more back?-ves.
that's much better: there's nothing deroga-
tory in recumbent position: after 81
there is no luxury like that which simple
nature prepares for us in the sweet wood
land ways-thaps pretty; quite a poetical
expression; how fond was of poetry when
| us a hnU -
time since have read any poetry! No. no:
by the bye, there was that admirable vol.
ume dedicated to me by Canon Pipoon 7
read 1t with the greatest interest; it was full
OF most valuable thought and feelings
very valuable book for these days-as I re-
member told him. As poetry-I wonder
What Susan would have thought about the
Canon's poetry. l fear she would have
laughed at it; even myself might have
laughed IN those days. Certainly it was a
very difierent sort OF poetry which we used
and lock up into the clouds of Young yellow
oak leaves swimming in yellow light. / can
almost fancy myself needless bow again.
at home with sister Susan Door sister Su'
sanl '"'
1t makes me sigh that must eniov nv
emincnce alone. Poor girl! How romantic
she was, how foolishly romantic: and how
bitterly she was punished! I wonder what
became OF her husband, that occurs. that
unhappy fiddler-and of the boy and girl?
1t is strange how little have thought Of
them of late years. Thave been yery busy
the care of my high of1ice-and besides.
exhausted every means of finding them; and
beyond the bare notice of their mothers
could lind nothing. Poor Susanl How
soft and drowsy is this fertile airl Deli.
clous repose! Yes. there is a certain stiff.
ness about the poetry of Canon Pipoon. a
constralnt-there is something which inter.
feres with my ease. Ifancy that am some.
what tightly braced; really this spot is SC
surety private, that might almost venture
"dulce est desipere inn that is, surely there
is no harm. l think 1 may venture on q
little relaxation. lie loosens his apronl
All! that is good. feel young and light al
heart as boy. boyhood, happy, careless
boyhood. O-ow!! There must be a stone
in my boot have busy time before me
1t will never do for me to be lame. T ought
to take my boot off. Tut! Dear. dear
What have done? It's in the other boot
must have that off, too. How nice and
cool Tor the feet! 1t is an excellent thing to
have ones boots off for little while.
think have read somewhere that on cam.
paigns-yes.
SO the Bishop lies on his back, and arao.
dJree foot IN the ar; soon he begins to hum
ana ctter a little the rdgue houn,ning passes
into soRg.)
80 many the leaves of the summer trees
And they tremble to all the airs:
. many the lights on the summer seas
wherever sunbeam flares;
my Rad answer the SUM-
But my love loves but one:
Inc breeze loves many, but none my one love
Let me see; how does it 90 on? "Yonne
Kate is as-as proud as''-as what? Dear
dear, what rubbish it is! 1t must be twenty
years since l have thought of that rldicn
lous song. Tut, tut, how does it 90? It's
not worth remembering; but can't bear to
lhinR that my memory is not so good as il
was. Nothing is more important to a man
IN my position than good memory.
mustn't give it up; must not be beaten
Ah-ah!-yes:
Young kittys an icice bright in the sun.
But she melts and is naught to me:
And Dollyls glow-worm when dav is done
mat the stars peep down to see
There are madens a-many wis
But one-but one-to kiss:
There are maidens a-many-but none-bu,
none"
tihe uotce Of AurioI is heard in the wood
he sings loudly
I'll kiss but thee"
BISHOP Eth? Ell? No, no; that's not if.
Aurloi. Powers of the air! What have
we here! Are you fish or an islanderp
tIhe Bishop reaches one hand toward his
shoes, and Nth the other grasps his opron
A. Prithee lie still, Burly Hercules.
should never forgive myself if disturbed
such repose. Are you brother of our Or
er? Are you heavy father?'
B. No, sir. lie sinks back with O. smile
and a sigh A character!
A. The pity of it! What is the yalue of
such dignity and comedy obesity save for
heavy father? The boards shall groan he
meath your tread. Come with me to Win
beach and be presented to the best of man
ayers as my Alter Ego-which, for YOUR ears
uniearned, will render as ''lny other SELF
as my most substantial shadow.
B. Ny path lies in the other direc-
ton. am on my way to Winford.
A. Speak not of Winford. 7 have heen
starring there. ''oA'
b. Starring?
A. YES, SIR. l arose new star over the
steaming flats of Winford; but the ewes If
the yokels had grown so used to starring on
earth that they could not look toward heav-
en-. was compelled to abandon the last
TWO acts OF Hamlet, and, in lieu of harrow
ing my royal mothers soul, Lbetook myself
to some ground tumbling. Then was nm
der the eyes of the earth-born: thew
were aware of me; they Numbered with
their hobnails on the boards.
u. A precarious life, fear, nv friend.
A. Up to-day and down tomorrow:
luckily it is always to-day. Isn't this GOOD
enough? This wood. this air full of health
full fragrance, this fresh springing fern
where tue sunshine is 'prisoned. this mossv
couch, wherein even you might Weld me a
corner for sitting. Thank you; that's good
NOW, here are we two rascals as happy as
vl-tuous souls, and all for nothing: we sit at
our ease like gentlemen; we have. as it were
come in with an order; we are on Nature's
free list. But come, you were singing as
drew near; l, too, will lie along: and now.
Ike Tityrus and Melibeus, will we contend
IN song. Do you begin; and if the victory
De yours, will give you shilling.
b. No, no. II did not know that T
was singing. l was but testing nv memory.
IL is very important for me that nv memory
should not fail me. have great deal to
ity. f-'i'''-
=, A. Powers of the air! This man speaks
like an orator.
b. An Indifferent orator.
A. Are you politician?
Is. MY position compels me to take some
share in legislature.
A. !Groans and Says Repent and take
some honest calling. My heart warns
strangely. to you; come with me and be a
heavy father.