Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-30
Gales ano Skeitbes.
fHEoRY AND PRACTICE.

i1tIie On0er tDc me0Ium neISnt. W As pam
rather than good looking. and wore spec
tacles. He was clever, had ranked high
in his class at college. an honor attained
| by hard study rather than by talent. He
was spiritual adviser to the parish Of
Bethany, with salary Of thousand a
year and small parsonage
Bethany was a semi-rural parish, close
to the coal district Of the Wyoming valley.
A colliery chimney was visible here and
there. but these did not effec, the general
rural aspect Of the country. 1t was only
by ascending to the brow Of the bill that
the dull smoke-cioud which ever hangs
over the mining districts was visible. The
miners inhabited little villages of their
own about their shafts, and were prin-
cipally strangers. having little to do with
the rustic population Of the parish.
Bethany was a small town. with an in
habitancy Of thousand scattered over a
large surface-a village rather than a
town--a c,reless. Struggling place, full OF
houses with pretty garden plots.
| The Reverend Richard Heath had not
occupied the parsonage at Bethany more
than three months before he had reached
the serious conclusion that it was his duty
To marry His opinion had always been
that clergyman in charge Of parish, to
be Of any real utility, should be married.
And he had strong theory Of that kind
Of wife a rector should choose-a kind
hearted, motberly sort of woman. earnest
in assisting her husband. interchangeable
among the poor, and peacemaker to the
whole parish.
| Bethany. out Of its ten or twelve young
ladies'. had three or tour who were within
Mr.. Heath's theory; either of the Miss
Stuaris, the Doctors two daughters, or
Miss Hoyt, or Miss Phelps would do.
They were all quiet. sensible girls. and
any one of them would make an excellent
| wife, but up to the present he had made
no step towards gaining the affection of
either of these ladies, nor was gossip even
at work.
Three months had elapsed, yet Mr..
Heath's choice was as far off as ever. Ac-
cording to his theory, here were the only
four young women from among whom to
choose one likely to turn out good wife,
vet none of them. least Of all Laura
Haines. would suit him.
Laura Haines was Bethany's belle un-
questionably. Her father was proprietor of
one of the collieries. and she had been to
q fashionable boarding school and had
come back a finished young lady. She
was undoubtedly verv pretty. and as I'M
doubleday was rather fast. that is, she was
fond Of riding and of dancing, she could
pull an oar in their pleasure-bOat on the
canal almost as well as her brother; she
could swim. it was said. like a fish, and
she was certainly flirt. This was scarce
~ young lady within the parsons theO-
nv, and yet, alas for human resolves he
confessed to himself that the bright eyes
and saucy laugh of this girl sent "a strange
thrill through him which he never felt
when engaged in discussing parish mat
tiers with Miss Stuart or Miss Hoyt or Miss
Phelps. The Rev. Mr.. Heath did not for
a moment allow that he had any intention
of deviating from his original resolve; he
Only admitted that. differently placed, he
would certainly admire this Laura very
much.
| As II was, the less he saw of her the
better-an excellent resolution. Only
somehow he conversed very frequently
with Mr. IIaines about schools for the
GOLFERS children, and about the wants OF
the men and their wives. conversations
which usually led him into Mr.. Haines' IS
drawing room to chat with Mrs. Haines
and her daughter. or even with the daugh-
ter alone sometimes.
| With July came Reginald Haines,
Laura's only brother. a year older than
she. who was being educated at Yale
The following conversation after one OF
the rector's visits indicates that Miss
Haines had no more idea of marrying Mr.
Heath than he had of marrying her.
| IL = orniuur co
with our little parson."
Poor little man." Laura laughed. ''he
is very harmless. Regy."
THAT is all very well. missy. He may
be harmless. but | don't think You are
and am quite sure he doesn't think so
either"
MY dear Regy. how am to help it ?
don't run after him. and if he chooses to
come here must be civil to our rector,
you know"
You are an arrant flirt. Laura. But
You'll not suit him. l heard him explain
to father the other day. his ideal of a
clergyman's wife. I can assure you there
was not one point of resemblance to your
self. Miss Stuart is likely to be the hap
py woman"
Laura tossed her head contemptuously
II dare say neither of us would suit HIM
very we'll. don't care whom he marries.
| All know is it won't be me. No, thank
you. When do marry, it will be some
one | can look up to-"
II understand; a Hercules, who can
ride and shoot. and do everything better
than anybody else; if with mystery, so
much the better Eli. Laura 80
Laura tossed her head again. and said
Nonsense. but the brother had pretty
accurately sketched her ideal.
This conversation occurred while broth.
er and sister were pulling their boat up
the canal. 1t was interrupted by the APP
pearance of Mr.. Heath who was walking
along the tow-path. An invitation was
extended to him by Reginald to join them
Mr.. Heath assented. although in opposi
ton TO the advice of an inward monitor
As the boat drew near the shore. Mis-:
Haines offered the clergyman her oar. HI
was obliged to decline it. confessing hi.
ignorance Of rowing, and that he ha6
never had an oar in his hand. Laura:
face certainly expressed contemptuou:
pity however. she only said:
VERY well, Mr.. Heath; YOU take The
understandings. Reginald and will pull
like it above all things"
| But Mr.. Heath's steering was little, i
at all. better than his rowing. Under hi:
guidance the boat made sudden ant