The state journal., 1885-01-17
A POWERFUL ALLY,

1t is my custom of Monday-which,
as everybody knows is the parsons Sun
day-to smoke a cigar after lunch and
the slight unples5antness which occurred
between Clare and myself was, l con.
sldered, no sufficient reason for breaking
SO salutary a rule Indeed, a long expert
ence has shown me that nothing is more
soothing TO the nerves which have been
acted upon by a woman's tongue than a
moderate indulgence in tobacco and, as
the day was bright and sunny, | deter
mined to carry my usual practice into
effect out of doors.
AS frequently happens in the month OF
May, found, on emerging, sharp wind
blowing; but, as my cigar was an excel
lent one, and my blood began to Jingle
with an agreeable sense of warmth,
felt indifferent to its attacks. My -utfled
thoughts also quickly returned to their
natural groove; for, though Clare's con-
duct had momentariiy upset me, took
comfort from the reflection that had not
answered her in the spirit with which
they were pervaded. 1t is true with me,
as with most really thoughtful men, ideas
come slowly, and l have not the same
faculty of retort which my daughter
inherits from her dear mother. But even
had l possessed such dexterity, l trust l
should have been too generous to make
use of it. The rectOry stands on slight
eminence. from which the ground slopes
downward until interrupted by stream
of some pretentions. This is spanned by
a rustic bridge, connecting the grounds
proper with large meadow, also belong
ing to the rectory, and it was to this
point that now directed my steps.
AS l approached the bridge l was
considerably annoyed to abserva the
figure of man upon it. He was leaning
over the parapet, idly gazing into the
water beneath. My temper, hasten to
mention, is remarkably equable one,
but nothing disturbs it more than the
intrusion Of strangers into my grounds,
Unhappily, this is an affection to which
| am often subjected, owing to the fact
that a public field path traverses the
meadow of which l have spoken. AS q
clergyman | am, of course, bound to
iiH i've, But q one more monstrous or unjust
than that which empowers any passing
stranger to trespass unquestioned on a
mans private property | have not yet
discovered.
Under no aspect, however, could the
bridge be part Of the path referred to;
and this, resolved, the interlOper should
at once be made to understand. With
that object in view, quickened my pace
to a sharp tr0t.
By an unfortunate chance, just as |
got to my destination a gust Of wind
caught my hat and blew it into the water.
On perceiving this the stranger, with
laudable readiness, ran down to the bank
on which l stood, and before | could
protest had walked into the middle OF
the stream, secured the Grant article and
restored it to my hands.
1t certainly was provoking that, With
overy reason to be otherwise, l was
forced to be grateful to the man for his
promptitude. Nevertheless this did not
affect the fact that he had been intruding,
as, after word of thanks for his timely
aid, proceeded to enforce upon his atten-
ton.
very true" he answered with a
light laugh. Shall we resume our former
positions-I on the bridge-you bare
headed on the bank, haranguing me as to
the wrongfulness of my conduct with a
fervid eloquence wholly lost, regret to
say, upon my unworthy self, while the
unconscious hat drifts placidly down the
stream"
His tone OF levity Jared on my feel
inga, albeit his manner, If lacking IN
respect, had certain charm about it.
1T is not a subject for laughter, L
reioined in a grave voice. the rights
of property must be observed, else there
is an end to social order.
He laughed again in his easy fashion,
II surrender without reserve he SAID
REALLY owe you an apology for ven
turing into the water without first ask
ing permission. But the occasion Is one
of those in which if man hesitates he
or, as it happened, the hats lost.
l fear l shall not be acquitted OF weak :
ness, but the infection of his bright way
could not be resisted. SO, with slight
smile, l replied more effably: "Ihat,
however, does not justify the first trans
erosion" .
"Ah p he cried, " if you go back to
original sin, am, indeed undone;
Behold me struggling toward sense oil
better things, when suddenly you swoop
down and condemn me on the very TIRES
hold"
young man" said, you should not
Jest on serious topics: GOOD
az don't l don't" he answered.
Pm gravity itself suppose ne con -.
tinued, with twinkle in his eye, that
what ties me so closely to earth' ana
prevents me from rising to highef an"
more ethereal spheres. -,
No one could be more surprised than
myself to find that was actually laugG'
ing at this sorry bit OF humor; 1et suCl
was the case. He recognized his adVah-
tage and was not slow to proht by II;
"Come, sir" he suggested, "Wouldn !
il he as well to tie handkerchief around
vour head? Idon't know how you stand
for furnishings within, but good quality
or bad, the east wind is apt to play the
very devil with them.
"Really, SIR" l expostulated-not,
however, forgetting to act upon the hlnI
=" although the advice may be goou'
your manner of giving it is offensive
highly offensive. " -,
ut ~ he said. with blank look % o.
innocence): upon my soul, I'm aEiully
sorry. It's the fault of my training
T nresnne You'd place me under coz
Siderable obligation ifyou'd tell me when
ever am offensive H.
let man be conscious that ne Has
f,nits and there is hope for MIN. Ii Is
nniv when he considers himself ABOVE
correction that the case is lrremeuiaOle
Had Glare and her dear mother put pos
sessed little OF this young man humil
ity, how much smoother their lives nigh
have been,