The Portland daily press., 1884-03-04
THE PR E s S
TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 4.
The Parsons Canoe Trip.

Old Mr.. Bittlest ton had charming house
and grounds on the Thames, near MarloV,
including pretty little eyot. One sultry
afternoon he was enjoying placid doze in a
shady arbor near the waters edge, when he
was aroused by the splashing of oars, and be-
held young man in boating costume in
the act of alighting upon the lawn. Mr.. Bit
tleston sprang to his feet in an instant, pre-
pared to lose his temper on small provoca-
ton. lie knew the strangers errand, for he
received half dozen prOmlscuous visits OF
this kind in the course of the day. When
the young man drew near he proved to be
rather mild-looking youth who wore spec
tacles and seemed diffident and embarrassed.
''Have the pleasure of speaking to the
proprietor Of this island?' he inquired, po-
lilely lifting his straw hat from his head
"Yes the island belongs to me-" said Mr..
Bilteston. shortly. "Wil you permit me
to hand you my card,' said the stranger,
producing a card case. Mr.. Bittleston felt
somewhat Modified by the young mans pu-
lite and respectful demeanor, and he took
the card. II bore the following inscription:
''The Rev Mars Avery, ID Hayter street,
ST. Georges in-the-East." ''Oh, you are
Clergyman" remarked the old gentleman,
who had good old-fashoned regard for the
cloth. eyes. in spite of my dress, which is
decidedly an,i-clerical." said the young man
smiling;'I suppose you can guess why l
troubled you. We are GU our way to Ok
ford, and wished your p, omission to camp
out on your island for the night with my
friends. 'I N sorry to say that I've been
Obliged TO put stop to that" said Mr.. Bit
ueslone; Pm afraid cannot make an ex-
ceptiou in your case" Il hope YOU will,
Sir" said the parson, persuasively; 81 plead
no' so much for myself as for my two COM
panions. They are both very worthy young
men, and this little trip, which | have or
a nI4ac uuIai SI,avy h
before experienced. One is pupl-teacher
at our schools, and the other is an assistant
in the night school. They have both earned
holiday, and 1 wish to do all l can to pro-
mote their enjoyment"
lyon will find plenty of accommodation
at NARROW, at all events" said Mr.. Bittle-
ston. Undoubtedly; but, tue TACT is, we
cannot afford to pay for it," returned the
Rev. Mark, candidly; my companions have
no money; ana my own purse is unfortu-
nately very narrow" "Oh, then you are
paymaster," said the old gentleman, whose
kind heart was touched by the parsons art
less co, fession. ''Yes, it is my treat, in
fact" answered ihe Rev. Mark, smiling; ''of
course, If you object to our landing on your
island, We must try Elsewhere. But il is
convenient place, and | hoped swell,
we'll, for this once | will MAKE an excep-
tion," interrupted Mr.. Bittleston, unable 10
resist any longer ~ must ask you 10 fix
your camp on the remote corner of the is
land, and not TO damage the under God.
When you TAKE your morning bath, please
bear in mind thai the windows of my house
overlook the island"
''We will do nothing that can possibly Of
fend you," returned the young man, offer
ing his hand 10 Mr.. Bittleston, who grasped
ii in friendly fashion;"I am exceedingly
Obliged to you fer your kindness" Don't
mention it, said the old gentleman, walk
Ing by the side of the parson across the
lawn; "any little thing we can do for you or
supply you with, do not hesitate to ask.
Have you any fresh milk? l know that is
commodity which is generally in request"
"Tbank you. We won't trespass further on
your kinduess," returned the Rev. Mark,
heartily; "we have our provisions"
"Would you and your companions come
and dine with me at the house Tonight"
inquired Mr.. Blttleston, who was Hospital
bic old gent eman, and had taken raj her a
fancy to the young man; "my wife and
daughters would be pleased" ''You are
eX remedy kind, but The fact is, my compan-
ions, though excellent young men, are not
quite refined enough to sit at your table,
said the Rev. Mark, cautiously lowering his
voice, so that the occupants of the boat
should not hear him; ''for myself" he add
ed aloud, 81 should be only too pleased, but
unfortunately, | have no clothes but these
stand up in. We are only away for the in
side of a week, and must he back on Sun
day." Never mind your Clothes" said old
Mr.. Bitleston; 1--WE shall be quite alone to-
night, and my wife and daughters are ac-
customed to see guests in boating costume"
''In that case, shall be only too happy"
said the Rev. Mark, as he stepped into the
boat; "what tllhe do you dine?'
SAT seven you will hear the gong" an
swered Mr.. Bittleston from the bank, as he
glanced at the young parsons companions.
The latter were very unprepUssessing young
men, and would evidently have been out of
place in a gentemau's dining-room. On
seeing them it occurred to Mr.. Bittleston
that be had been little too precipitate with
his invitations, aud 1t was partly owing to
this reflection that Tie took down the clergy
list On reaching the house, and searched for
Rev. Mark Avery's name. He found it duly
rec rded, and learned that the young man
was cura'e of St. Baise's church, one of the
largest and poorest parishes in the east of
London.
The parson made his appearance at din
ner, and created favorable impression He
won Mr. Btteston's favor by taking an i'm
mense interest in the house and grounds and
insisted Oh being shown over them. His
tales of the suffering poor of his parish, and
his modest references to his own arduOus
life, elected the sympathy Of the ladies, and
In fact, the evening passed off so well that,
on his rising TO leave, old Mr. Bittleston
pressed him to remain day in the neigh
borbOod, so as to visit the church aud other
objects of local interest. "No, thank you.
Pm afraid we must not linger," he said,
shaking his host warmly by the hand; 1--WE
have our work cut out to ROW 10 Oxford and
back to town by Saturday l must think of
my companions" "Wel, at all events, come
aud have breakfast with US tomorrow"
said the old gentleman.
1--WE must be several stages on our road
before your breakfast hour" he said, as he
saIuted the ladies in turn. SPY the by," he
added addressing Mr.. Bittleston, there is
one small favor L venture to ask of you.
May leave porImanteau here, and fetch
it on our way down on Friday or Saturday."
Certainly" said the old gentleman,
promptly.
81 find we have good many things we
shall not need, now that The weather has set
in fair" he explained; "there are always
some cooking utensils we can dispense with.
1t is desirable to tighten our boat, and by
leaving the portmauteau here | shall have an
excuse for calling on Our way back"
I'VE snail be delighted to see yOu," said
Mr.. Bittleston; land if you leave the port
manteau al the house tomorrow morning,
il shall be taken care Of"
Rev. Mark then took his departure. Next
morning the party had left when the family
came down to eakfast, but the parsUn had
entrusted the portmanteau to one of the ser
van S. The following day he wrote few
lines to Mr.. Bittleston from Reading, send
Ing piece of music which he had recon-
mended one OF the young ladies to get, and
begging that she would accept it as he hap
pemed TO come across il in music shop i'll
The town. The little act OF politeness ex-
cited less attention than it might otherwise
have done because the letter arrived while
every one was III great state of excitement.
Tie discovery had just been made, that a
large quantity Of iewelry, plate and other ar
ticles had been distracted from a safe 10
Mr.. Bittleston's dressing-room. The loss
was so considerable that Mr.. Bittleston i'm
mediately telegraphed to Scotlaud-yard, not
caring co entrust the matter TO the local po-
lice. In response a detective appeared upon
the scene, and made careful inspection of
the premises. The safe was unin jured, and
the lock had not been tempered WITH.
sit was cleverly done, but there was no
magic in it," said the inspector, a sharp
eyed little man named Fl rdiss; "the lock is
very ordinary one, and has evidently been
oponed with key"