The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-06-17
LAWYER AND PARSON.


The Rev. DR.. Melton was Just begin
ming to feel at home in his new parson-
age when he was surprised one evening
TO receive call from his classmate Har-
Vey 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
coolc to an end long ago, and it was
wany 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
pdrson the scarf and the dogs head
suggested a sporting character, and
hc wondered mildly that high
~ rcspectable, prosperous, middle-aged
lawyer should thus adorn his person.
''Well, Mr.. Leigh said, land how do
you fancy the idea of becoming metro
politan preacher, and seeing your sermon
garbled in Monday mornings paperl"
1.-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 fiattering fashion"
Mr.. Leigh laughel ''You won't be
amiable to reporters when you know
them better. This is quite a change
from your old life, and an agreeable
change, no doubt. Or do you believe
that God gade the country and man
made the town. ~ ~
~ believe that God made them both,
and man tries his best to spoil both, - the
parson answered.
''Ah, that's neat-very neat. BY the
way, ought to call you doctor. / read
your book on the Atonement with good
deal of pleasure" The parson WINGED,
but Mr.. Leigh did not observe that. 'I
don't wonder the college doctored you
for it, though your ideas must seem
rather liberal to the musty old fogies who
peddle out Latin and Greek and theol-
ogy."
81 came near being one of the musty
old fogies myself" said DR.. Melton.
''They wanted me to be professor, but
Iprefer to be parson.
IA city parson, said his guest.
IL am not so sure about the city part"
DR.. Melton said slowly. 1T was pleas
ant up there in the country;'I was at
tached to my people; liked to potter
about in my garden. was astonished
when received call from New York.
don't know that | would have accepted
it if one of my deacons had not had a
promising son ready to fill my place, and
think that my congregation rather
liked the idea of a young dominic. l
had about come to the conclusion that
should live and die a country parson !;
but here am"
''With six thousand dollars a wear
and comfortable house." added Mr..
Leigh.
The parson frowned. "a man with
four children has no right to slight
chance of bettering his fortune; but it
was not the money that brought me to
New York. There is work here" He
broke off suddenly, perhaps because he
saw the shadow of a sneer on Mr.. Legh's
lips. "And you are still living in Phila-
delphia" he asked.
''Yes, indeed; would not live any
where else. New Workers may turn up
their noses and call it a village. but
Philadelphia suits people who belong to
the old Quaker stock"
''YOu have son. believe, TO per-
petuate the name" the parson remarked.
''One son-an only child. Morton is
twenty flour, and reading law in my office.
A bright fellow too; never gives me
moments uneasiness; always at work !;
steady-going; no boyish nonsense about
him."
'Twenty-four," the parson repeated,
"and no bovish nonsense about him2
There is a good deal of nonsense about
my boys, l am hap-sorry to say. Still,
/ hope they won't disgrace me. Their
mother thinks they are all right, and l
am learning every day of my life that
my wisdom, as compared with others, is
beneath contempt. / can hardly believe
you have "A son twenty-four. Why, you
are spruce young man yourself"
"Thanks to a life free from excesses
of any kind, said Mr.. Leigh. "And l
married eariy-I advocate an early mar
riage, if man has money enough to
support a family. This waiting to scrape
together paltry income is terribly hard
on young man. Yes, | married early,
and have every reason to believe that
my son will follow my example" +"
''And when is your boy to marryl"
dbkeu the uOClOl.
"Oh, it is not quite arranged yet"
$50 you arrange marriages in Phila-
delphia2 And this particular marriage
is not quite arrangedl Humph l don't
understand that sort of thing. Up in
the country it is, Mary, l love you, and
Jack, love you in return and then my
services are called for How does one
arrange a marriage in Philadelphia"
The touch of sarcasm was quite lost
on Mr. Leigh, who had crossed his legs,
and sat absorbing in thought, frowning
at the patent leather tip of his neat shoe
His host watched him until he uncrossed
his legs and looked up,
"Have you any daughters, doctorln he
asked.
1.-TWO Of them"