New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-13
MR.. WTYTHR0PS PRESENTS.
A LITTLE EXPERIENCE WITH rEN.wIpERs AND
SLIPPERS


Now that the holidays are past and things have
settled back to their normal condition the serner
portion Of the human race can sit down calmly and
count the en-wpers and pairs Of slippers given 1t
by the softer SEX We know not IL the custom OF
presenting their gentlemen friends with penwlpers
and slippers prevails among the ladies' Of Patagonia
or far Cathay but we do know that It extends all
over the more civilized parts Of the globe; and the
number Of such articles which we receive each
Christmas must soar far away into that dizzy region
beyond the millions. Happy is the man whose con-
science Is not to-day pncked by tho fact that he
does not use pen-wiper wrought by some fair hand
which lies on his DESK but continues to put his pen
In the rack unwtped or jab It in dish OF bird
shot stIn dripping with fink. And thrice happy is
he who hath no now slippers to break In but
enjoy his old ones. But the ladies do the best they
There arcnt many things you can give man,
anyhow Pen-wipers and slippers seem to cover the
ground.
There is probably man. in this country, at least
who more sincerely regrets that he received
any pen-wipers or slippers than the Rev. Mr. Henry
W. Winthrop, Of South Ettrck New-Jersey. The
Rev. Mr. winthrop is young man who was graduated
nom college and theological seminary not long ago
and has been Installed in the little church at South
Ettrick somo six months The Rev. Mr.. winthrop
is unmarried He is tall and has pleasing address,
and has been from the first avoritc, especially with
the younger people, and more especially the young
ladies'
On Christmas, when the shadows Of the night were
falling about the little hamlet Of South Etrfok, and
tho last red Of the dying day burned low ON the far
away western horizon, the Rev. Mr.. Winthrop sat
down before the rate in his room and in the Kicker
Ing, dancing light Of the fire, he counted twenty-six
pen-w1pes and eleven pairs OF slippers. HIS head
sank lower and he wcpt
Now the Rev. Mr. Winthrop, though In the ministry,
has not lost his taste for harmless sport He has
good gun and occasionally INDUCES in little shoot
Ing He could not, Of course derive any pleasure
from tying nn can to a dogs tail he Is man ana
not a boy. Neither could he find any enjoyment In
letting frightened rabbit out OF box and starting
long, spectral dog with procession OF ribs on either
side Of him like picket fence, aftor tho escaping
creature as We said, he IS man, and not Long
Island Imitation Englishman But he does sometimes
take his gun and 20 out In little strip Of woods on
tho edge Of town. where he shoots rabbit or two,
which he gives 10 HIS landlady for tho next days
dinner. This does not improve the breed OF dogs
Of course but or the other hand dog can witness 10
without losing his respect for man.
Last Tuesday afternoon two young ladies OK the
Rev. Mr. winthrops grcgaiion passing through
the little wood before mentioned. They could have
gone by tho road. but they preferred the wood IL
was moro romantic. They had heard tho crack OF
their pastors gun, but that did not dotcr them They
knew be a good shot and that he wouh not
mistake them for rabbits. They walked along little
path earnestly discussing the dismal failure which
another young lady dear friend Of theirs, had mAdo
IN her attempt foist her last winters hat newly
trimmed. upon a conhding public as now ono when
suddenly they saw something tho hight snow which
lay in little open place among the bushes, which
attracted their attention. they approached
II and picked Il up. Horrosi 1t was
half OF an sutumn-ieaf felt pon-wtper which one
OF them had mao and given b their pastor at Christ
mas, now burned, backencd and begrimcd by powder.
Two steps away lay the velvet toe "f slipper which
tho other had given 10 the same monster ihey
looked at each Other with flashing eyes. Then they
held A whispered consultation, not loud but deep ana
started on forgetting 20 take the proofs oil The rev.
Mr.. Winthropx perfdy with them. They had not
zone ten strps when the report OF his gun sounded
directly IN front of them. They advanced cautiously
and pceped through clump OF bushes Inc wretcn
standing In an open space not ION yards away
loading his gun lie calmly poured charge OF powder
down The barrel and then, with vicious JERK, tore TWO
black leaves and q rcd from pen wiper made In
the form OF book, and rammcd then down the barrel
On top OF tho powder. Then he poured measure OF
buds on Il nom n slipper and crowded II on top OF
tho shot, lie walked away looking for another rabbit
and they hurried home
The next day the little village Of South Fttrck was
In uproar. The treaeherous minis ters lsndiady
and she reported thai already twelve OF tbs twenty
six pen-wipcrs were gone and that OF the eleven pairs
slippers only three pairs remained, with some ak
Mr. winthrop. Every woman's hand was against
him The men made feeble effort 20 rally TO his sup
port most OF them symaphizlng with him and secretly
admirng his courage, but II did no good the dear
ladies gave him TO understand plainly that they would
south Ettrck but no keeps in tho seclusion Of hi!
room, surrounded by seitoed pen-wpers and odd
slippers, hoping for cab TO new field OF labor.