The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-01
HIS LEAP YEAR.

Rev. Mr.. Racquet, "and very pleasant
people. The elderly ladies aro steady,
consistent workers the younger, active
and enthusiastic. [ don't think, if I
had possessed the privilege of selecting
for myself, I could have found more
delightful position"
Mr.. Roderio Racquet WAS six-and-
twenty, with straight nose, pleasant
blue eyes, and general talent for being
satisfied with everything and everybody.
Ho was located in his first parish, pic
tresque little knot of houses, over
hanging brisk cataract, which made
work for mills and factories, and 50 far
he was one of those exceptions in life,
a perfectly satisfied man.
"Ah," said his friend, Mr.. Alton, who
was n misanthrope. "The ladies', ell %
eyes," said Mr.. Racquet, quietly ;
90 for Of course, much Of the prosperity
Of country parish depends upon its
female members"
eyes" observed Mr.. Alton, dryly.
You are an unmarried man, believe. "
81 am an unmarried man--yes, GER
tainly."
"And this is-Leap Year"
"Nonsense p cried the parson, brisk
ly.
"I hope you may find it nonsense, "
said Mr.. Alton, pursing up his lips
"but I am told that there are good
maryi single ladies' this year who are
driven desperate by the prospect of
spinsterhood-"
"Nonsense u again exclaimed Mr..
Racquet. "My dear Alton, this is a
little too much Of burlesque. You
don't seriously believe in this-this ab-
surdity?"
Mr.. Alton only shook his head, rs ho
rose and reached for his hat.
"Ill get my book, Racquet" snid he
rs he looked lugubriously around the
room, "and 60 out for stroll in these
pine-scented woods. My doctor says
that pine sap is very healthy for lungs
that are consumptively Inclined"
every well" said tho Rev. Mr.. Rae
quet, with glance at the scattering
sheets of the half composed sermon that
lay Oh his desk "and will Join you
after little"
He took up his pen, dipped it deter
minedly in the inkstand, and went reso-
lutely to writing; but, the words of his
inconoclastic friend rang persistently in
his ears.
eff there should be any foundation
for Atoms absurd idea !" he pondered,
with his pen suspended above tho par
TALLY written sheet. "But of course
~ there can't be; but if such n possibility
did oxist-a married man is really n
better member OF society than single
one. never did adhere to the doctrine
that clergymen should be celibates p
And all~the while Rosa Appleton 8
cherry checks and yellow hair were
dancing q human will-o'-wisp before the
horizon Of his minds eye.
"She's young," he said to himself ;
"and perhaps triho inclined to be
giddy, but she's certainly very charm
ing. And, since the Appletons have
failed, and the mother has opened q
boarding house, and Lucilla has gone to
teaching, 1 do not think could do bet
ter than marry"
"Roso Appleton, sir, if You phase"
It was timid little voice that broke
in upon his reflection, and Rosa herself
stood before him. coloring like a pink
carnation, with basket Of late peaches
in her hand.
"I've called on business, sir" said
Rosa.
The Rev. Rodcric moved forward a
chair.
"Pray be seated, Miss Appleton"'
said he, not without some confusion on
his own part.
Miss Appleton sat down. pulling ner-
vously at the fingers OF hor thread
gloves.
"It's about our IIucilla," said she.
"Indced ?" said Mr.. Racquet.
"Wc want to get her we'll settled in
lifo," said Rosa, appealingly.
"But I thought she was teaching (!
cried Mr.. Racquet.
"She doesn't like teaching," con
fesscd Rose cor, rather, to be candid
with you, the trustees don't like her
She isn't very young, you know, and has
some odd, formal little ways and only
one eye and the children make fun o.
her, and the trustees say she has no dig
nifty"
every unfortunate" sa;a Mr.. Rae
quot, bonding a pearl paper cutter bacl