Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-11-16
TWO SCENES By fIRELIGHT.

AIteF TttiieT Il Wd1ueTlnS lie LlOtHeT
and l have at last settled down in a
little manufacturing town in the west of
queer little place, where
the small amount Of available society is
split up into still smaller cliques, which
are again divided into factions, the cause
Of this latter division being chiefly parish
matters and real or supposed difference
in religious opinion. l say supposed,
for the worthy inhabitants OF Narromynd-
ham are more learned on the subjects of
looms andspindles than that of doctrines,
and could hardly advance better argu-
ment in favor of their own views than
81 know what like" or the well-worn
"because do"
Our parish church is all that an anti
quarry could desire-a glorious old pro-
cathedral. Its pewing arrangements,
however, are, regret to say, all th9t a
young woman who wishes to say her
prayers in a correct and devotional pos
ture, and who yet has a certain amount
of tender regard for her back and knees,
would not desire; and our staff of clergy
consists of vicar and two curates, one
of whom is furnished by that most
evangelical body the Pastoral Aid So
ciety, and goes by the name of Pastoral
Aid Curate, or more often, on the prin-
ciple that brevity is the soul of wit, the
"P. A. c." SO, with this liberal supply
OF divines, our souls should be well
weeded and watered, if they are not.
On day, in the end of October, was
sitting over the fire, chatting with Carey,
who had Just come to spend a few weeks
with me at Narromyndham. Carey is
my particular friend, and very nice and
very pretty, but she has one sad fault
she is shocking flirt. l often remon-
strate with her on the subject, but it is
quite useless, and she makes some very
uncivil and profane retorts about
"motes," "beams'' and "brothers," !"
which don't like.
As was watching the freight dane
ing on her soft brown hair and lighting
up her glorious eyes-fascinated, as l
always Am by anything beautiful. and
thinking that when (perhaps ought to
say it) turn into an angel | should wish
to he Just like her-she suddenly in
quired
care there any curates here?"
$50 my angel is planning fresh works
of slaughter" thought l, but answered
Eyes, two; one is old and married, and
has st. Vitus's dance, and the other is
young and unmarried and sound, like
wise he is a pastoral aid curate. Will
he dO?"
"Don't!" with laugh. 81 know the
animal. 1t always seems to have out
grown its clothes; is weak about the
legs, hair long (touching her collar) and
sleek; complexion pallid and unwhole.
some; expression meek. 1t makes con.
slant use OF the word 'seemly;' has a
voracious appetite and little weakness
for tea and old ladies'. There's an in
ventory of it's charms, and l don't be.
lieve the society would have anything tc
do with man not possessed of all these
qualifications.
Mother opened her mouth to remon
stratc against this fiippant tirade; bd'
the Femonstrance was never destined tc
be uttered, for at that moment a servant
announced "Mr. Lloyd," and the sub
ject of Carey's long -winded speech en-
tered the room.
A young man, in a very correct cleri
cal costume, with a, fierce, determined
good-looking face, and not trace O
weakness about him, legs or otherwise
in short, a man, every inch of him, ant
not n curate, for somehow one can neve
think Of curate as quite a man.
glanced at Carey, and saw she like
the look of our visitor, for she had pu
on that air of lovely childish innocence
(little humbug y she can always ASSUME
at will, and always does when there is
man present Yhom she thinks it wort
while to fascinate, and never knew
to fail.
Mother having gone through the cere
mony OF introduction, the Pastoral All
Curate proceeded to inform us that ther
was "A parochial row on.
There always is in Narromyndham,
said l. 81 wonder you think it wort
mentioning"
IL shouldn't, only that you and pei
haps your friend (here quick glanc
of admiration at Carey, which l sal
, wasn't lost on her in spite OF her dowr
' east eyes) "can help us if you will"
: lopened my mouth to refuse, for
| am not parochially minded, and al
proof against all petitions. even frol