Daily Republican., 1882-08-17

| Wy tblbu no NANihAlONg SOu
speak my language purely and with
grace. II you understand the gram.
MAJ"
"O,-that is about all have dared to
think did understand" the host put
in. II venture to assert that l can
teach French Grammar. 81
"Aye,-and you may henceforth
claim that you can teach your pupils
how 10 speak it."
In the course of the evening, after the
supper table had been cleared of, the,
Frenchman discovered an old chess.
board standing against the wainscot,
and be asked his host If he played
chess"
eyes," said the clergyman. ~
think myself good player"
81 am glad 1 have found no man
in England who could boat me-"
The board and box Of very fine ivory
pieces-a present to the curate from q
former pupil-were brought forth, q
small stand set out, and they went ut
the game. The Frenchman was an ex-
cellent chess-player; but Rev. Silas
Barclay was better one. They played
from eight o'clock until about mid.
night, and the guest did not win a
game. One game was given up as a
draw-by false move the Clergyman
lost his last piece-he was telling to his
antagonist the story of his life which,
had been drawn from him almost with
out his acknowledgement in thought
less moment while telling of his son in
Scotland, he lost his victory; the two
kings were left alone in their glory on
the board. And that finished the con-
flict
Not once had the guest lost his per-
feet good-nature, and he was content,
in the end to acknowledge that his host
was the most skillful cness player he
had ever met.
The board was set aside, after which
the curate brought forth his Bible,
upon which the guest claimed the priv.
ilege of reading. He selected and read
ans, which, both the subject and the
manner of reading-atfected the host
deeply. Then the good clergyman Of
fered up a fervent prayer, and they
sought their pillows. The wife had
endeavored 70 impress it upon her huS-
band that he should put the guest to |
sleep in the little coop over the shed,
but the good-hearted clergyman could |
not have done that under any circum- |
stances, and now that he had come to |
really love the man it was farther from i
his heart than ever He led his guest |
to the one nice chamber of his humble
cottage, and there wished him sweet
sleep and pleasant dreams.
In the morning they were up early. |
The storm had passed over the sun
had arisen brightly; the guests gar
ments were all dry, and had been
brushed clean by the clergyman him
self. His wife CHANGED to come upon
him while he was engaged at work,
and she could not resist the impulse to
scold him for his making of himself a
lackey to strolling Frencnman. And
again, laughingly, the old clergyman
replied, in all innocence: ~ tell thee,
wife, this may be our angel. When
the bright visitants come they don't
make themselves known at once"
After plain but hes rty breakfast.
the guests horse was brought to the
door by the old clergyman himself; a
warm and ferVent hand-shake; d pleas
ant bow, and hearty thanks to the
dame, and the FrenChman rode away.
Four days later letter arrived at the
curate's humble cottage, bearing the
post-mark OF the country-seat of the
Duke of Norfolk, and the broad seal
upon the letter bore an armOrial crest
The wondering curate opened the mis-
5iYe without breaking tne seal, and
within found but brief note, written
upon paper bearing crest, as follows:
"REV. SILAS BARCLAY.-I have not
forgotten your generous hospitality to
stranger few days since;
nor have l forgotten the sound drub-
bing you gave me at chess. l have
thought much of the story you told me
Of your humble life, as you we're pleased
TO call it; and since your telling that
story cost you a decided victory in
single game-giving to me the honor OF
\ draw-I feel that l am your debtor,
If you will kindly acknowledge the
Living of Oakham, worth $500 year,
L is open for your immediate occupan-
". If you accept, you will at once in
'orm his Grace, the Duke of Norfolk,
and also thank him for having given it ,
10 me for you. Trusting that you may
% blessed with long life of eDjoy-I
nent in this new field, 1 am your friend I
sincerely,
Louis, DUKE OF NIvERNAIs." s
At first the poor clergyman could not c
Delieve it. 1t must be cruel hoaE.
five hundred pounds per annuml I'm !
possible. And then he bent his head,
md reflected. Heremembered that the +
Duke of Nivernais was the French Am =
lassador at the English court. Unjust Z
AVE been he whom he entertained. )
Aye-now that hs came to call to mind
ONE of the remarks that lad fallen
rom his guests lips, he knew he must t
70 the man.
"Ho wife Now what think ye? ln
aid not our angel would come from
'rance?"
you'd better be sure that the living 7
} to be yours, first" she retOrted.
But she was happy, neE ertheless:
nd she was very, very thankful that
be had not suffered the strange guest
} witness her coldness on the occasion
his visit. n
Our good curate,-a Rector now,-I /
,und his grace of Norfolk happy to B
rect him, and happy to bestow upon u
i'm the promised living. He entered a. a.
pom his new sphere of labor in earn to to
1t, and his parishioners very quickly be
armed to honor and to love him. go re
le evening of his life was tranquil and sy
Apply; and he lived long to bless the an an
our that brought the strange-guest of te
nat stormy October night to his door. ST.
N. Y. Ledger. oe
IN
DryInH Her Husbands Grave. Vi