The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-06-27
Hdrper's Weeklu.

Harper's Weekly.
The Rev. DR.. Melton was just be-
ginning to feel at home in his new par
sonage when he was surprised one even
ing to receive call from his classmate,
Harvey Leigh. In college days they
had been friends, and for awhile after
their graduation they had exchanged
letters and visits; but the letters and
visits had come to an end long ago,
and it was many years since they had
met. AS they sat in the book-lined
study, each eyed the other curiously.
Years sat lightly on Mr.. Leigh, and
he was dressed fashionably, almost
youthfully. In his dark red neck scarf
was thrust gold dogs head with ruby
eyes, and to the parson the scarf and
the dogs head suggested sporting
character, and he wondered mildly
that a highly respectable, prosperous,
middle aged lawyer should thus adorn
his person.
WELL Mr.. Leigh said, 'and how do
you fancy the idea of becoming a
metropolitan preacher, and seeing your
sermon garbled in Monday mornings
paper?'
The papers didn't garble my sermon
this week. the doctor said. 'On the
contrary, the reporters picked out the
best and overlooked the worst in the
kindest and most fattering fashion,
Mr.. Leigh laughed. you won't be
amiable to reporters when you know
them better. This is quite change
from your old life, and an agreeable
change, no doubt. Or do you believe
that God made the country and man
made the town.
Il believe that God made them both,
the parson answered.
'Ah, that's neat-very neat. By the
way, l ought to call you doctor. ]
read your book on the Atonement with
a good deal of pleasure. The parson
WINGED, but Mr.. Leigh did not observe
that. 4 don't wonder the college doc
tored you for it, though your idea
must seem rather liberal to the musty
old fogies who peddle out Latin and
Greek and theology
Il came near being one of the musty
old fogies myself said DIR. Melton.
They wanted me to be professor, but
prefer to be a parson.'
"a city parson, said his guest.
4 am not sure about the city part,
DR.. Melton said, slowly. 1T was pleas
ant up there in the country; l was at
tached to my people; 1 liked to pot
ter about in my garden. I was aston.
ished when l received a call from New
York. don't know that l would have
accepted it if one of my deacons had
not had promising son ready to fill
my place, and l think that my congre.
CATION rather liked the idea of young
dominic. I had about come to the
conclusion that I should live and die {
country parson; but here I am
with six thousand dollars year anc
comfortable house., added Mr.. Leigh
The parson frowned. "A man with
four children has no right to slight {
chance of bettering his fortune; but i
was not the money that brought me te
New York. There is work here He
broke off suddenly, perhaps because hs
saw the shadow of a sneer on Mr..
Leigh's lips. sAnd you are still living
in Philadelphia? ? he asked.
Eyes, indeed /; l would not live any
where else. New Workers may turn uT
their noses and call it village, but
Philadelphia suits people who belong
to the old Quaker stock.
sYou have a son, l believe, to perpet
uate the name?' the old parson remark
| ed.
'One son-an only child. Mortor
is twenty-four, and reading law in my
office. A bright fellow too; never
gives me moments uneasiness al
ways at work, steady-going; no boyist
nonsense about him.
'Twenty-four,' the parson repeated
'and no boyish nonsense about him
There is much of nonsense about my
boys, am hap-sorry to say. Still,
hope they won't disgrace me. Theil
mother thinks they are all right, and
am learning every day of my life tina
my wisdom, as compared with others
is beneath contempt. I can hardly be
lieve you have son twenty-four. Why
you are are spruce young man your
SELF
Thanks to life free from excesse
of any kind said Mr.. Leigh. 'AnC
married early-I advocate an earl,
marriage, if man has money enougl
to support a family. This waiting t.
scrape together paltry income is ter
ribly hard on young man. Yes,
married early, and have every reasol
to believe that my son will follow m
example.
'And when is your boy to marry
asked the doctor.
ooh, it is not quite arranged yet.
$50 you arrange marriages in Phila
delphia And this particular marriag
is not quite arranged? Humph l DON
understand that sort of thing. Up il
the country it is, MARY, I love you,
and Jack, love you in return, ant
then my services are called for. Hov
does one arrange marriage in Phila
delphia2
The touch of sarcasm was quite los
on Mr.. Leigh, who had crossed hi
legs, and sat absorbed in thought
frowning at the patent leather tip G
his neat shoe. His host watched hir
until he uncrossed his legs and locke
up.
Have you any daughters, doctor
he asked,
Two of them.'
Grown up?'
4 hope SO; otherwise they will towt
over my head