The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-24

the elder increased tue diio"eASo ~
made him, and now for several years ne
had been giving the rector fifteen hundred
per annum. This, he promised, shCdid De
continued to his death, when an ample pro
vision would be made for himself and his son.
This arrangement had gone on Tor many
wears undisturbed, but a short time before,
to Rector Brent's great astonshment, MS
brother, then over seventy, told MN ne
meditated marriage. The facts were soon
ont A strong-minded Irish widow, of good
family, with a file of tall, hungry, Pennies
sons, had marked him for her own Ihere
followed, in the usual artful sequel, hattery
and amiable persecution. The Old man was
cajoled, managed, and, in the last stages OF
the affair, bullied, until, without his brothers
knowledge, he was actually married to the
triumphant widow, who wrote to the rector,
explaining the haste and secrecy OF the tran
saction by the state of ''our dear Henry S
nervous system.n The elder brother assured
his Junior that the marriage would make no
difference in his allowance or his subsequent
prospects: and for twelve months this prom
ise was kept But the old man was growing
feeble. and his wife impatient. Her sons
were expensive, and she wished to secure
everything for them By what means could
QOU DE dSC6rudlIeu, Uut DIG SpuloCu AOA huo
band away to the south of France. Under
the plea of bronchial disease and nervous
prostration, she shut him up from society =;
and when, a few months before, the rector,
growing uneasy, had gone to Cannes to see
his brother, he was not admitted to the house,
being comforted by the assurance that every
thing was being done to restore, or at least to
compose, ''dear Henry's nervous system" 10
tell the rest in few words, on the morning OF
Sibyls marriage the poor rector received
letter, written by his brother himself, In
which, after some vague sentences about "loss
of money!" failure of investments" and "in-
creasing expenses" he plainly said that he
inclosed the last check which he would ever
be able to send The letter closed with a
postscript, in which the rector was reminded
that already great deal had been done for
him, which genial stroke was due to the die
tation of the accomplished Mrs. Brent SO
our unhappy rector found himself placed IL
the position of the holder of benefice worth
scarcely hundred a year, after outgoings,
costly establishment, luxurious habits de-
clining years, and son who had been led to
expect fortune as his inheritance.
The little clergyman behaved with singular
dignity and straightforwardness. He told
the whole story frankly, and seemed to de-
velop fOrtitude for the trial. We were
pleased to hear now from his lips some of
those phrases about trust in God and resigna-
ton to the dispositions of providence at
which we had sometimes felt inclined to smile
when the sleek little fellow spoke them in the
pulpit. Indeed, so deep was our commisera-
ton for the rector's misfortune that we-who
are neither a church nor, fear, a very chart
table people-summoned meeting of lead
ing parishioners, at which we resolved, by
annual subscriptions, to raise enough to pay
the curates; and this, without directly pau
perizing our clergyman, we hoped to enable
him to hold his living In this way Rector
Brent was put in possession of about three
hundred a year-not a bad allowance, you
may say; but consider how he had lived
hitherto The carriage must be put down;
the gardens must be laid out in grass; the
cozy dinner parties must be given up; Rector
Brent must, for the rest of his life, walk the
ways of genteel poverty
Among the first to hear the bad news was
Mrs Barbara Temple That excellent little
woman had a maxim for every change and
chance, and upon hearing the tidings she re-
marked that such was the world-up and
down. "If the ups were always up" she
continued, straying for an instant into philos-
ophy, "the downs would never have a chance.
There was only so much money, SO much ease,
so much luck, going. What one lost fell to
the lot OF another d" At the same time h. ex-
pressed and felt genuine sorrow for Mr. Brent
and for his son, who had always appeared to
her most promising young fellow
Shortly after hearing all this Mrs Temple
rang for her maid, and sent for Sophia, who
came in with light dancing step, rare with
her; her face was full of glee.
Il know what it is, mamma; you want me
- - a vonr dress But saw it before YOU
-. $3.50, -. Ia x..a..Y 49, y.
dear; not If L wear it myself
Sophia, you look very pretty this morn
ing" the mother said, with much fondness
and admiration, and touch of sorrow too.
as she thought of the disappointment the girl
was about to have "Never mind the gown:
have something to say to you"
Sophia looked wondering into her mothers
serious face, as she took seat beside her.
Life is full of trials, Sophy," the kind
hearted little wording began. mo one is fit
to live who is not ready to meet small vexa-
tlons and dlsappointments, that perhaps at
first don't seem small and meet them with
cheerful face One great thing is to remem-
ber-what is undoubtedly true-that most
dlsappolntments have bright as we'll as a
dark side. Indeed, if one looks over ones
life, 1t is surprising to notice how many mis-
maps which we either cried over or felt we
would like to cry over, only we restrained
ourselves, become on review matters of con-
graduation. Do you know, Sophy, 1 think
sometimes, when 1 look back over nv life.
that what called my misfortunes have in
three cases out of four become either directly
or indirectly sources of happiness after
year or two. l don't wish to talk boastfully.
dear; but think some of that is due to nv
own good common sense"
She drew herself up with self-satisfied
air, but instantly resumed her compassionate
tone, while Sophia looked little anxious,
not knowing what was coming. She saw
that her mother watched her closely. as she
delivered herself of these philosophic morsels.
Il shall not delay what have to say Mrs.
Temple went on, stroking her girls hand
kindly. Il have heard something this morn
ing which renders your marriage with young
Brent impossible"
Mammal" Sophia cried, in great agitation
"These things happen, Sophy," the mother
continued; these things often happen. l
never told any of you girls before, but as
sure you the first man that proposed to me-
and to whom l was ON the point of being
married-had to fly from England to avoid
transportation
Mammal Sophia cried again, but now
springing to her feet, with a face white with
fear and pain "Tell me; what is ita He
can't, o, he can't have done ANYTHING
wrong"
Nothing wrong, DEAR" she answered. 1T
only mentioned my case as in some respects
like yours. No; the Brents are honorable
people, but they are beggars this morning.