Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-03-14
TIE PARSONS CANOE TRIP.

Old Mr. i}ittleaton mad a charming
house and ground on the Thames, near
NARROW, including Il pretty little eyot One
sultry afternoon ne was enjoying placid
1oze in shady arbcr near the waters
edge when he was aroused by the splashing
OF oars and behell young man in boat
ing costume in the act of alighting upon
the lawn. Mr. Eittleston sprang to his
feet in an instant, prepared to lose his
temper on small proyocation He knew
the strangers erland, for he received half
dozen promiscaous visits Of this kind in
the course OF the day. When the young
man drew near he proved to be rather a
mili-loOking youth, who wore spectaclc5
and seemed diiiidcnt and embarrassed.
Have | the pleasure Of speaking 70 the
proprietor of thia island ?" he inquired,
politely lifting his straw hat from his
head, Yes, the Island belongs 70 me-
said Mr. Bittleston, shortly "Will you
permit ME to hand you my card p said the
stranger producing q card-case. Mr.. Bit
tleston felt somewhat modified BY The young
mans polite and respectful demeanor and
he took the card. It bore the following
Inscription: The Rev. Mark Avery, "A
Hsyter street, -. ieorge's-in-the-East."
"Oh, you are a clergyman" remarked the
old gentleman, who mad a good, old-fash-
toned regard for the cloth. Yes, in de-
spite of my dress, which is decidedly IN
clerical, said the young man, smiling; 81
suppose yon can guess why l troubled you.
We are on our way 10 Oxford and wished
your permission 20 camp out on your island
for the night, VITA my friends" " | am
sorry to say that I've been obliged to put
4 stop to that" said Mr. Bittleston; I'm
.Iraid / cannot make All exception III your
case I hope you Will, sir, said the
parson, pcrsuasively; - plead not 50
much for myself 10 Tor my two compan-
IONS. They are both very worthy young
men. and this little trip which 1 have
organized is = pleasure which they have
ncYcr before experienced. One IS
pupil teacher at our schools, and the other
/, assistant at the night school. They
have both earned holiday, and / wish 10
10 al can TO promote their enjoyment"
Sc You will find plenty Of accommodation
Ut MARROW, at all events" said Mr. Bittle-
ston. Undoubtedly; but the fact is, we
Nb4l4ACb t4iO4b W pay 4Ct IL, itLGtilth INT
Rev. Mark, candidly; my companions
fortunately, very narrow" Oh, then you
ire paymaster," said the old gentleman,
whose kind heart began to be touched by
the parsons art!css confession. Yes, il is
my treat, in fact" answered the Rev
Marx, smiling, "of course, if you object
10 our landing on your island we must try
elsewhere. Bu! it il o convenient spot,
md hoped" " Well, well, for this once
I will make an exception" interrupted
hr. Eittleston, unable TO resist any longer
. must ask you TO Iix your camp on the
most remote corner Of the island, and not
TO damage the underwood. When you
take your morning bath please bear in
mind that the windows Of my house over
IDOL. the island" We will do nothing
that can possibly offend you," returned the
young man, offering his hand 10 hfr. Bit
tleston, who grasped it in a friendly fash
ion; -" am exceedingly obliged to you for
your kindness" Don't mention it." said
the old gentleman, walking by the parsons
side 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?
| know that it is commodity shich is
generally in request"
THANK you. We won't trespass fur
ther on your kindness" returned Rev.
Mark, heartily; 1--WE have our provisions"
Would y0u and your companions come
and dine at the house with me to-night?'
inquired Mr. Bttleston, who was hos
pitable old gentleman, and had taken
rather fancy to the young man "my
wife and daughters would be pleased"
You are extremely kind, but the Fact
Is, my companions, though excellent young
men, are not quite refined enough to sat at
your table," said the Rev Mark, cautiously
lowering his voice 30 that the occupants Of
the boat should not hear him " for my
self" he added aloud, ." / should only be
TOO pleased, but, unfortunately, | have no
clothes but these l stand up in. We are
only away for the inside Of week, and
must be back on Sunday"
"Never mind your clothes" s7id old
Dir. Bitdcston; We shah be quite alone
tonight, and my wife and daughters are
accustomed to see guests in boating COS
tune"
In that case l shall b. only too happy" |
said the Rev. Mark, as he stepped into the |
boat; what time do YOU dincF'
at you will hear the gong" an-
swered Mr.. Bittleston from the bank rs he |
glanced at the young parsons companions |
The latter were very unpreposSeSsing |
young men, and would evidently have !
been out of place in gentleman's dining !
room. On seeing them it occurred to Mr.. |
Bittleston that he had been little too
precipitate with his invitations, and it was
partly owing TO this reflection that he took |
Il. 4. 4 l.,
and searched for the Rev. Mark AverY's |
name. He found it duly recorded, and |
learned that the young man was curate of |
ST. Blaise's church, one Of the largest ard |
poorest parishes in the East Of London.
The parson made his appearance at din
uer and created favorable impression. |
He won Mr. Bittleson's heart by taking an |
immense interest in the house and grounds, |
and insisted ON being shown over them.
His tales of the suffering poor of the parish
and his modest references to his own ardu-
ous life, ELECTED the sympathy of the la
dies, and, in fact, the evening passed Of so
we'll that, on rising to leave, old Mr. Bit
ticslon pressed him 10 remain a day in
tho neighborhood, so "a to visit the church
and other objects Of local interest No,
thank YOU I'm afraid we must not lin
ger" he said, shaking his host warmly by
the hand "we have our work cut ont to
row to Oxford and back to town by Satur-
day. l must think Of my companions"
8 Well, a: all events, come and have break
fast with us tomorrow" the old gentleman
said.
: " We must be several stages on orr road
before your breakfast hour he said, as he
aluted the ladies in turn "by-the-by"
he added, addressing Mr.. Bittleston, there
is one small favor venture to ask OF yoq
May leave a portnanteau here and fetch
it in on our way down on Friday or Satur-
day ?"
Certainly" said the old gentleman,
promptly.
~ find we have good many things we