The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-10-16

humorous disposition, he OF course saw that
some contretemps had happened.
What the poor vicar underwent during
that nterminable service nobody but him
self knew. The surplice he wore was short.
The sun streamed down full upon him as
he stood within the cllancel rails, and he
felt that the eyes of the whole congregation,
from the c~ounty-folk in the high pews to
the country boobies in the low benches, We're
fixed upon the astounding neither garments
of the man who had never been known to
relax SO far from orthodox broadcloth as
even to put on cricketing ~fannels. 1t was
in vain he tried to hide himself; it was in
vain that lie endeavored to pay a proper
attention to the ceremony at which he was
assisting. He edged, he maneuvred, he
lodged and he pulled the surplice down at
the sides until it split at the neck with a
crack and exposed the collar OF Gerald's sea
side shooting coat, : as its present wearer
styled it. The perspiration now stood out
in great beads ON the poor wears fore
head: his hands were hot as fire and he per-
formed his part ofthe ceremony in such a
nervous, agitated manner that the beadle
thought he was going to be i'll, and brought
him a glass of water.
The unfortunate vicar, who saw the bis
hop looking at him, determined that the
moment the ceremony was concluded. and
he should have an opportunity in the
vestry, he would tell the whole story to his
grace. But when the moment came he
was so overwhelmed with confusion that
he was dumb, and he mistook the humor-
Gus twinkle in the bishops eye for a look
of scorn and Indignation.
s'Really, Mr.. Texter," said the prelatc at
length, ''you must excuse me if | remark
upon the unelerical style Of dress i'll which
you have appeared upon so solmen and pub
lie an occasion"
My Lord, . gasped the vicar, appear
ances are against me, acknowledge. But
when | have related to you what has hap
pened | think you will admit that under
the circumstances | followed the only
course open to me; and, although | am
fully aware that c~lergymen, as a rule, do
not oificiate in garments of such pattern as
those | am wearing at this moment, I
think You viii admit tina / should have
fallen short of my duty if | had not put in
an appearance at all"
So Mr.. Texter related to the bishop the
mornings adventure.
'.Wcll, SIR said the bishop. when the
vicar had finished, ''all that l can say is
that you are very deeply indebted to the
person who made such a self-sacrificc in
order to extricate you from your mfortu-
nate dilemma"
Il feel that, my lord. and hope to show
it in some substantial way"
May l ask the name of your friend in
need?" continued the bishop.
Gerald Maldon, : replied the vicar.
"What! Gerald Maldonl the son of my
old college chum? - asked the bishop, with
astonishment.
THE same, my lord
This news burst upon the worthy bishop
like a revelation. Hewas aware Of Gerald's
love for Daisy Texter, and also of the
difficulties that had been thrown in his way
by her father. He therefore soon formed
an opinion of his own as TO how the little
accident had occurred to the Wears cloth
ing. SURPRISING, however, the smilethat the
thought brought to his venerable face, and
with a determination to try and say a use
ful word for his friends son, the worthy
prelate took the Wears hand, and said;
Il am delighted to hear it, and | trust
that, in the same way as you accepted the
young fellows one suit for your " con-
venience, you will accept his otherfo for your
daughters happiness"
And he did.-L0ad0H Truth.