The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-03
FROM PHILADELPHIA.


Harper's Weekly
The Rev. DIR. Melton was just begin
ing to feel at home in his new parson-
age when he was surprised one evening
to receive a call from his classmate,
Harvey Leigh. In college days they
had been friends, and for while after
their graduation they had exchanged
letters and visits; bnt the letters and
visits had come to an end long ago, and
it was many years since they had met.
As they sat ir the book-lined study, each
eyed the other curiously. Years sat
lightly on Mr.. Leigh, and he was dress
ed fashionably, almost youthfully. In
his dark red neck scarf was thrust a
gold dogs head with ruby eyes, and to
the parson the scarf and dogs head sug-
gested sporting character. He knew
that Mr.. Leigh was not a sporting
character, and he wondered mildly
that highly respectable, pros
porous middle-aged lawyer should
thus adorn his person. More
over Mr.. Leigh had brought into
the study tall silk hat and a dapper
little walking stick, and these he held
as though they were far too precious to
be laid on an unsympathetic chair. He
clung to them until the parson was
filed with all unchristian desire to
throw them out of the window; but in
stead, broke off in the middle or sem
tence, took hat and stick from his guest,
and carried them to the new so-cadled
Queen Anne rack in the hall. There
he left them, together with the en-
graved card that had announced Mr..
Leigh's presence in the house.
Mr.. Leigh, in the minute that he was
alone, smiled, and the smile had in it
touch of pitying condescension, and
when the parson re-entered the study
his guest scanned him leisurely. He
was tall, loose-limbed, awkard man,
clad in black broadcloth of country
cut, with low vest that displayed
liberal expanse of spotless linen. DR..
Melton's slippers were little the
worse for wear, but he knew that his
daughter would surprise him at Christ
mas with new pair, and meanwhile the
old ones were comfortable. His collar
and cravat were neat, albeit not fashion
able, and they were well hidden by a
flowing gray beard that had more white
hairs in it than there were in his NOUS
tache. From under his broad forehead
q pair of contemplative blue eyes look
ing at the world with mingled shrewd-
ness and kindness, and they rested ON
his guest with sort of comical sur
prise. He thought Mr., Leigh rather
foppish in his dress, and Mr.. Leigh
hoped that the county parson would
be introduced to New York tailor, and
;aught town ways by some of the dea-
IONS in the church to which he had
,een called upon to minister.
"Well," he said, "and how do you
ancy the idea of becoming a metropoL-
an preacher and seeing your sermon
,arbled in Monday mornings paper?"
The papers didn't garble my sermon
his week." the doctor said. "On the
ontrary, the reporters picked out the
'est and overlooked the worst in the
indest and most fattering fashion"
MIR. Leigh laughed. "You won't be
D amiable to reporters when you know
hem better. This is quite a change
'om your old life, and an agreeable
hange, no doubt. Or do you believe
nat God made the country and man
lade the town."
II believe God made them both, and I
ian tries his best to spoil both," the
arson answered.
"Ah. that's neat-very neat. By I
,e way, 1 ought to call yon doctor. 1
read your book on the Atonement t
ith good deal of pleasure. Tie par l
IN WINGED, but Mr.. Leigh did not OBJ
rye that. II don't wonder the col t
ge doctored you for it, though your b
eas must seem rather liberal to the
Isty old fogies who peddle out Latin 81
I'd Greek and theology" 81
'T came near beng one of the nasty u
i fogies myself" said DR.. Melton. CO
They wanted me to be professor, but h
preferred to be parson." m
"a city parson," said his guest. oil
II am not so sure about the city part" W
!. Melton said, slowly. 'It was pl
,asant up there in the country; I was th
ached to my people; I liked to potter al
out in my garden. was astonished qr
en- received call from New York. he
ont know that would have accept ke