The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-03-11


BE- vas surprised one evening 10 receive a
call from his classmase, Harvey Leigh. In
college days they had been friends. and
I for while after their graduation they had
exchanged letters and visits, but the let
sers and visits had come 70 an end long
ago. and ii Was many years since they had
met As they sat in the bloodhound
study. each eyed the other csssosafy.
Years had sat lightly on Mr. Leigh, and be
Was dressed fshionably, almost youthful-
ly. 10 HE dsst red neck -scarf w@ thrust
. gold dogs head with ruby eyes. aud TO
the parson the scarf and dogs head sng-
gested sporting character, and be won
dered mildly that . highly respectable,
prosperous middle-aged lawyer should
thus adorn his person.
Well. Mr.. Leigh said, and how do you
fancy the idea Of becoming metropolitan
preacher and seeing your sermons garbled
in the Monday morning paper?
| The papers didn't garble my sermon
this week. said the doctor. On the con-
trary the reporters picked out the best and
overlooked the worst in the kindest and
most Hattering fashion.
Mr. Leigh laughed. You won't be ami
able TO reporters when you know them
better. This Is quite change from your
old life. and an agreeable change no doubt.
Or do you believe that God made the
country ard man made the town?
believe that God made them both.
said the parson.
Alb. 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 winked, but Mr..
Leigh did not observe that don't won
der that the college doctored you for it,
though your ideas must seem rather liber-
al to the musty old fogies who peddle out
Latin and Greek theology.
came near being one OF the musty old
fogies myself, said DR.. Melton. They
wanted me to be a professor. but ! prefer
to be a parson.
A city parson, said his guest
am net sure about the city part. said
DR.. Melton. 1t was pleasant up there in
the country; was attached to my people;
l like to putter about in my garden. /
was astonished when / received cali
from New York. / don't know that L
would have accepted it il one Of my dea-
cons had not had q promising son ready
to fill my place, and think that my con-
gregation rather liked the idea Of a young
dominic. / had about come to the con-
clusion that should live and die coun-
try parson; but here l am.
With six thousand dollars a year and a
comfortable house, added Mr.. Leigh.
The parson frowned. A man with four
children has no right to slight chance
for bettering his fortune; but it was not
the money that brought me TO New York.
There is work here He broke of sud
denly, perhaps because he saw the shadow
Of sneer on Mr.. Leigh's lips. Aud you
are still living in Philadelphia? asked DR..
Melton.
Yes, indeed; would not live anywhere
else. New Workers may turn up their
noses and call it a village, but Philadel-
phia suits people who belong to the old
Quaker stock.
You have son, believe to perpetuate
the name? the old parson remarked.
One son--an only child. Morton is
twenty four, and reading law in my office.
A bright fellow, too; never gives me q
moments uneasiness; always at work,
steady going and no boyish nonsense
about him.
Twenty-four, the pyson repeated, and
no nonsense about hinil There is much 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 compared with
others, is beneath contempt ] can hard
ly believe you have son twenty four
years old Why, you are spruce young
man yourself.
Thanks to life free from excesses OF
every kind, said Mr.. Leigh. And / advo.
cate early marriage, il a man has money
enough to support family. This wait
ing to scrape together paltry income is
terribly hard on young man. Yes,
early, and | have every reason
to believe my son will follow my exam
pie.
And when is your boy to marry2 ask
ed the doctor.
Oh, it is not quite arranged yet, replied
Mr., Leigh.
So you arrange marriages in Philadel.
phis? And this particular marriage is not
quite arranged? Humphl don't under
stand that sort OF a thing. Up in the
country II is MARY, / love you" and
Jack, love you in return" and then my
services are called for. How does one ar
range marriage in Philadelphia?
The touch Of sarcasm was quite lost on
Mr. Leigh. who had crossed his legs and
sat absorbed in thought. frowned at the
patent leather tip Of hia neat shoe His
host watched him until be recrossed his
legs and looked up.
Have you any daughters, doctor' he
asked
Two Of them.
Grown up?
hopeso otherwise they'll tower over
my head.
And do you understand them9 asked
Mr. Leigh. With gravity that made the
pastors blue eyes twinkle and the corners
Of his mouth tvitch.
n