Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-26
CHAPTER III.

Mr.. Malcolm had been an intimate friend
of Reginald's father. Whenever he went
to the city, which was seldom, he inyaria-
bly, called on the family OF his deceased
friend. He had often urged the boys to
make him a visit; to hunt and fish was
the best inducement he could offer, he
said. Reginald, who for week had been
exceedingly dull and languid, began to
fear he was going to be sick. The doctor
whom he consulted told him he only
needed a rest. "And you'll never get
that here, L see. You are too popular by
far" smilingly said the old doctor; run
away for a while" Reginald reused him
self ana rushed off to the ECedars," as
Mr.. Malcolm called the parsonage. The
abundance of these common country trees
around the neat white cottage made the
name very appropriate. Mr.. Malcolm lived
in the most simple manner, still there was
an elegance mingled with the simplicity
which was charming. Aunt Martha, who
with himself contained the whole number
of his household, unless her cat Tabby
and the cook were counted, loved to
pleased her nephew, and, aware of his
tastes, which were i'll exact conformity to
her own views in this respect, kept his
house in perfect order. She was in many
respects q second Betsy TrotwoOd. She
filled the rooms with flowers each day,
and made the table marvel of brilliancy,
so bright and clean was the silver rubbed.
The cut-glass goblets were her special
care. That they glistened and sparkled
when released from her hands no one will
doubt. II aunt Martha was little stiff
and unbending in her manners, she had
very kind heart-she seconded her
nephew's work and charities; but while
he always inspired love and confidence.
the simple people were half afraid OF
aunt Martha-she was so cold and exact
ing in her religion. Her leading charac-
teristic was her admiration for her
nephew. Ii is true that every woman
must have some object to love and
cherish. Aunt Martina had nothing but
her white cat, Tabby, and William NAL
com TO enshrine in her heart, and the
preacher often laughed and told her he
considered Tabby a most formidable rival
in her affections.
It's the breakfast hour at the parsonage.
Aunt Martha presides over the cups and
saucers. Her black lace cap and black
and white calico may look prim and old
fashioned IN their make, but on her they
look both suitable and lady-like. Mr..
Malcolm has recovered his usual calm but
cheerful spirits. Reginald is little dis
trait, contrary to his usual custom,
ssWell. Reginald, guess l will have to
leave YOU to the tender mercies of aunt
Martha this morning." said Mr.. Malcolm
as he helped the plates. Zone of our
neighbOrs sent for me this morning-my
promise was to go whenever he sent me
word he was ready to plant his garden. /
shall make a raid on your seed-boX, aunt
Martha, and please fix basket of your
potatoes. PVe preached and talked to old
Mathew with all the eloquence of which |
am capable, but have as yet accomplished
little towards his spiritual benefit, L fear.
l will take the seeds and work with the old
fellow this morning, and will try to illus
trate. with our hope of an abundant har-
vest from aunt Martha's seeds, that good
in his heart can grow likewise"
"Well, William, / hope you VIII not
work yourself into a fever while persuad-
ing the old man he ought to love his
Maker. You know, too, how ungrateful
he is. You don't know" continued aunt
Martha, turning to DR.. Mayfeld, "the odd
things William does. Preaching is the
least part of his work. He generally falls
sick once a year on my hands In cOnse-
quence." This a little reproachfully but
tondlY. ''This Mathew has deceived and
treated William rudelY, but here he goes
two miles, probably work all the morning,
and, if he gets any announcement, all the
afternoon. Result-a well-worked square
in the garden, which will please Matthew's
heart much more than your good words,
as he is too stingy to hire help"
'Aunt Martha, you're most too hard. l
think old Mathew right to save up some
thing for his old age. Ifhe does wrong some
times it's because he hasn't the grace of
God in his heart, and it remains my duty
to do my utmost to get at there"
DIR. Mayfield has listened to this CONVEX
sation with interest, butwith little sink
ing at his heart, for he had thought of a
ride himself. Now his hope is gone.
What could he do to pass the long hours
away with Mr.. Malcolm gone? ''He might
leave one horse" he ruefully thought, re-
Numbering Mr.. Mslcom had ordered both.
His spirit soon rose, however, to their ac-
customed praise, when, as if sudden
thought had entered Mr.. Malcom's mind,
he arose from the table saying:
81 tell you what we will do, Reginald;
Mathew lives about half mile frsm