The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-05-21
MIR. BAXTER'S DILEMMA
ny ROBERT YuLnn TooMBs.

!. ! !. ].
z - ~
GX&aE muscular, energetic
L& type, which, fortu-
k3fAh nately for the church.
is turned out not un-
~ @ frequently by our uni
A~Q versities and public
<61 schools. He was a
NZ big, broad shouldered
~ young man, who, be-
sides distlnguish hing
himself greatly both on the river and in
the cricket field had taken very re-
spectacle degree, for he was by no means
afraid of hard work of any descipt on.
Such men often make capital parsons,
and Tom was hardly less energetic Ia his
parish work than he had been in very
different spheres of action at Eton and
Oxford. But there were limits 10 Alr.
Bakers endur ,nce; he liked an occa-
sional holiday, ana this was the only
point upon which he and his vicar, the
Rev. Septimus S IA ghtway, were not en-
tirely agreed.
The Rev. Septimus was an honest man,
and took a severe and gloomy view of the
pleasures of life lie worked terribly hard
In an East-end parish, knew nothing and
cared less about outdoor sports, or. In
feet, about any form of amusement, and
fully expected his curates to follow un-
hesitatngly III the extremely narrow and
steep path up which he led them. Hence
1t came to pass that Mr.. Straightway ex-
perienced considera' IL difficulty in ind
ing curaies after his own heart; the
young men were continually leaving him
for less nrduous outies, and the vicar s
opinion Of human nature in general, and
of the younger generation of curates in
particular, steadily grew worse. In Tom
Baxter, however, he really thought he
possessed treasure, and the danger OF
working willing horse to death never 20
much as entered into h head
Poor Tom did his very best to satisfy
MIR. Straightway's requirements, for he
really respected the man aud valued inn
mensely his good opinion, but, as has al
ready been indicated. he could not help
longing that lis SUI erior would enter ~
little more into his own harmless liking
for occasional relief and sympathize with
his pass OIL for rowing and al that was
connected with athletics.
At the time / write of the cricket sea-
son Yves in full swing. but Toms duties
had not only ented him from play
ing in a single match. but even from look
ing on at one a few hours fIom the roof
of the pavilion at ] ord's. Moreover, the
UNIVERSITY cricket match, in which he
took an absorb ng interest, was fast APP
preaching, aud he was sorely troubled by
the dread that he might not be- able to
see it. it worried him during his VISITING
and mission work, spoilt his rest, and oc-
'casionally obtruded itself upon him in the
pulpit. Even the absent minded Mr..
Straightway at length noticed that his
curate's mind was III at ease, and one DAY
he went so far as to inquire the cause
Tom stammered out something about
being out of sorts, and ventured to hint
that he thought a days holiday would do
him good.
When l was your age. Mr.. Baxter.
never wanted holiday, replied the aus
tere vicar, but you are certainly not
looking well. Let me see to-day is
June 25. In about n fortnight think
can arrange date for YOU. Say July IL. "
"Can't it be managed a week sooner"
~quer ed ] ON, desperately. for the Uni
versi,y match was fixed for the 4th.
Quite Imposs BILE, / fear, said the vicar
decisively. for he was terrible martinez