Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-10-29
The Sturp Teller.
LAWYER AND PARSON.

to feel at home in his new parsonage when
he was surprised one evening to receive
call from his classmate Harry Leigh. In
college days they had been friends, and
for while after their graduation they had
exchanged letters and visits; but the let
ters and visits had come to an end long
ago, and it was many 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 a gold dogs
head with ruby eyes, and to the parson,
the scarf and dogs head suggested sport
ing character, and he wondered mildly
that a highly respectable, prosperous, mid
dle-aged lawyer should thus adorn his
person.
"Well," Mr.. Leigh said, land how do
you fancy the idea Of becoming metropol-
itan preacher, and seeing your sermon gar
bled in Monday mornings paper?"
'The papers didn't garble my sermon
this week." the doctor said. "On the con-
trary the reporters picked out the best and
overlooked the worst in the kindest and
most flattering fashion,"
Mr.. Leigh laughed. "You won't be
amiable to reporters when you know them
better. This is quite d change from your
old life, and an agreeable change, no doubt.
Or do you believe that God made the coun-
try and man made the town."
II believe that God made them both, and
man tries his best to spoil botf,' the par
son answered.
"Ah, that's neat--very neat. BY the
way, ought to call you doctor. I read
your book on the Atonement with good
deal of pleasure" The parson WINGED, but
Mr.. Leigh did not observe that. II don't
wonder the college doctored you for it,
though your ideas must seem rather liberal
to the musty old fogies who peddle out Lat
in and Greek and theology"
81 came near being one of the musty
old fogies myself" said DR.. Melton. "They
wanted me to be professor, but l prefer
to be parsOn."
ga city parson," said his guest.
81 am not sure about the city part" DIR.
Melton said, slowly. "It was pleasant up
there in the country; was attached to my
people;I liked to potter about in my gar
den. / was astonished when received a
call from New York. / don't know that |
would have accepted it if one of my dea-
cons had not had promising son ready to
fill my place, and think that my congrega-
ton rather liked the idea of young do
mimic. I had about come to the conclusion
that 1 should live and diea country parson
but here / am"
"With six thousand dollars a year and
a comfortable house." added Mr.. Leigh.
The parson frowned. ga 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 -
He broke off suddenly, perhaps because ne
saw the shadow OF a sneer on MT. Lelgh's
lips. "And you are still living in Phila-
delphia ?'' he asked.
eyes, indeed would not live anywhere
else. New Workers may turn up their noses
and call it village, but Philadelphia suits
people who belong to the old quaker stock: +"
"You have son, believe, to perpetuate
the name?" the parson remarked.
Zone son-an only child. Morton is
twenty-four, and reading law in my office.
A bright fellow too; never gives me mo-
ment's uneasiness; always at work steady
going no boyish nonsense about him."
"Twenty-f ;" the parson repeated, land
no boyish nonsense about him? There is
a good deal of nonsense about my boys, l
am hap-sorry to say. Still, l hope they
won't disgrace me. Their mother thinks
they are all right, and am learning every
day of my life that my wisdom, as com
pared with others, is beneath contempt. I
can hardly believe you have son twenty
four. Why, you are spruce young man
"Thanks to a life free from excesses
of any kind" said Mr.. Leigh. "And l
married early-I advocate an early mar
riage, if man has money enough to sup
port family. This waiting to scrape to-
gether paltry income is terribly hard on
Young man. Yes, l married early, and
I have every reason to believe that my son
will follow my example"
"And when is your boy to marry ~ asked
the doctor.
ooh! it is not quite arranged yet;"' ,
$50 YOU arrange marriages in Philadel-
phia? And this particular marriage IS no,
quite arranged? Humph! | don't under
stand that sort of thing. Up in the country
it is, Mary, love YOU and Jack, love
YOU in return and then my services are
called for. How does one arrange mar
riage in Philadelphia? 2"
The touch of sarcasm was quite lost on
Mr.. Leigh, who had crossed his legs, ana
sat in absorbing thought, froWning at the
patent leather tip of his neat shoe. ms
host watched him until he uncrossed hls
legs and looked up. ,,
"Have you any daughters, doctor" he
asked.
1.-TWO of Them"
"Grown up?" w
II hope so; otherwise they will tower
over my head"
III IL .,o,, ,,nflarcfap1 Them ob asked