The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-05
"My Strange ParishiOner."

"My Strange ParishiOner."
"John," said l to my gardener one
bright October morning, II think that
fence at the back of the garden ought to
be repaired before winter sets in again.
/ noticed it yerterday afternoon, aud it
strikes me that it is decidedly disrepu-
table enclosure for the rectory grounds"
"Sure, sorr," replied that faithful re-
tainer, " I've been thinkin' the same for
sometime back, but didn't say anything
because kuowed as how ye'd been to SIGH
an expense O. late in fixisg up the Wilder
Grimes cottage for the winter, and"
eyes, that is 80, john" interrupted;
"but this is something which fear will
have to be done, even if have to deprive
myself of something in order to pay for it.
So you had better engage a man to help
You with it at once in order to finish it
btf,re the bishops visitation. He will be
here next week."
"Very we'll, sorr, III have man here
early tomorrow mornin', and III warrant
it'll be done long afore his lordship's visit"
He was good as his word, for at sunrise
the next morning was awakened by the
clink of their shovels and the noise of
their hammers. Immediately after break.
fast, before returning to my study, |
started into the garden to get few whjffs
of the fresh morning air, and to watch
them for few moments at their toll
When reached the place where they were
at work, looked with some curiosity to
see who John had engaged to help him.
The mans back was toward me when
approached, and could not see his face
When, however, he raised his head to re-
spond to my salutation, was shocked.
Never before had l beheld so sad an ex.
preston on the face of a human being.
minded one of some animal striving to
escape from the hunters, and his whole
appearance denoted broken spirit bowed
down under some overpowering sorrow.
His pale, wasted features, and high, white
forehead, now believed with perspiration,
revealed traces of intellectual power of no
mean order.
had frequently noticed him in the par
ish church, but as he invariably seated
himself in the shadow of one of the pill
lars which supported the nave, had
never before had so favorable chance to
study his features. He was mystery to
every one in the parish no one knew
who or whence he was or what supported
him. AS for me, l had several times
called at the hovel which he occupied,
but had never succeeded in gaining adj.
mittaDce. Here at last, then, was the
long. wished.for opportunity. could now
make myself known to him, and at least
take step tow ard establishing the con.
genial relations which should exist be-
tween rector and parishioner. But alas |
it seemed as if the heavy cloud of sorrow,
which overshadowed him like pail, had
cast its gloom over me, for the words
which was about to address to him froze
upon my lips, and replying absently to
Johns "good morning." l turned and
entered the house. Seating myself before
the fire which burned brightly in my
study (for the day was damp aud chilly },
gave myself up to idle speculations in
endeavoring to solve to my own satisfac-
ton the mystery which surrounded this
strange being, whose appearance had ex.
erted 80 extraordinary an influence over
me. After wasting an hour thus, |
aroused myself and was soon absorbed in
my books.
Three days faithful labor sufiiced to
complete the fence, and my strange par.
ishioner returned to his hovel. After
making two or three futile attempts to
become acquainted with him, l gradually
suffered him to drop out of my thoughts.
Thus matters stood, when one stormy
evening, about six weeks alter the scene
in the garden, Ellen, my msid-of.allwork,
knocked at the door, and said that the
man civilian Sharpe by name) was out
In the hall, and was very anxious to see
me. directed her to show me into the
study. When he entered the room, no
ticed that his face was considerably paler
than had yet seen it. His clothing, too,
was in deplorable condition. These
appearances, together with the hectic
flush on his cheeks, and his dry, parched
lips, convinced me that the man was in
want, and that stern necessity had forced
him to do that which his hitherto I'M
coDquerable pride had held him back
from. He had come to me-to the man
whom he had hitherto Stunned and
avoided-for relief. Fully satisfied that
this WAS the case, foresaw tEat the in
terview would be a decidedly awkward
one for both of us. However, deter
mined to be as agreeable as | possibly
could, and to help him as far as it lay in
my power to do 80. therefore rendered
him hearty welcome, and begged him
TO be seated. After few remarks on
the weather, said that had fir, quently
wished to become acquainted win him,
but until now l had never had that
pleasure
81 have often thought 30, Mr.. Stan
bope," he replied, "from the very kind
eff rts you have made to see me at my
house. This it is that makes it the more
difficult for me to approach you on such
an errsnd as this, after having refused all
your overtures OF friendship"
"My dear sir" exclaimed, "do not
mention it. 1t is true, did think it some.
what strange, but OF course every one has
aperfect right to act in such matters as
they think proper. If l can be of any
service to you, beg that you will count
upon my assistance as far as my ability
will permit.
"Mr. Stanbope," he said, in low voice,
chad any one told me but few years
back that should be compelled to ask OF
any man food sufficient to save me from