Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-04-25
THE UNIVERSITY MATCH.

VI sne uocuiei, eneFBesic type, Wnicn
fortunately for the church, is turned Out
not unfrequently by our universities and
public schools. He was biz. broad
shouldered young man, who, besides dis,
tinguishing himself greatly both on the
river and in the cricket field. had taken
very respectable degree, for he was by
no means afraid of hard work of any de-
scription. Such men often make capital
parsons, and Tom was hardly less ener.
getic In his parish work than he had
been In very different spheres of action
at Eaton and Oxford. But there were
limits to Mr.. Baxter's endurance; he
liked an occasional holiday, and this was
the only point upon which he and his
vicar, the Rev. Septimus Straightway.
were not entirely agreed.
The Rev. Septimus was an earnest
man, and took a severe and gloomy
view of the pleasures of life. He worked
terribly hard in an East End parish
knew nothing and cared less about out
door sports-or, in fact, about any form
Of amusement; and fully expected his
curates to follow unhesitatingly in the
extremely narrow and steep path UP
which he led them. Hence it came to
pass that Mr.. Straightway experienced
considerable difficulty in finding curates
after his own heart; the young men were
continually leaving him for less arduous
duties, and the wears opinion of human
nature in general, and of the younger
generation of curates in particular, stead
lily grew worse. In Tom Baxter, how
ever, he really thought he possessed a
treasure, and the danger of working a
willing horse to death never so much as
entered into his head.
Poor Tom did his very best to satisfy
Mr.. Shaightway's requirements, for he
really respected the man and valued i'm
mensely his good opinion, but, as has al
ready been indicated, he could not help
longing that his superior would enter
little more into his own harmless liking
for occasional relief, and sympathize
with his passion for rowing and all that
was connected with athletics.
At the time write of the cricket sea-
son was in full swing; but Toms duties
ing in single match, but even from
looking on at one for few hours from
the roof of the pavilion at Lords. More
over the university cricket match, in
which he took an absorbing interest, was
fast approaching, and he was sorely
troubled by the dread that he might not
be able TO see it. This fear haunted him
day and night; ii worried him during
his visiting and mission work. spoilt his
rest and occasionally obtruded itself
upon him in the pulpit Even the absent
minded Mr.. Straightway at length no.
ticed that his curate's mind was i'll at
ease, and one day he went so far as to in
something about being ont of sorts. and
venGured 10 hint that he thought days
holiday would do him good.
"Whcn was your age, Mr.. Baxter, |
never wanted a holiday" replied the
austere vicar; but you are certainly not
looking we'll Let me see, today is the
oath of Juuc. In about II fortnight |
think can arrange Il day for you. Say
the 18th Of July"
Cant it be managed week soumer?'
queried Tom, desperately, for the uni
versity match was fixed for the 4th.
quite impossible, fear" said the
vicar, decisively, for he was terrible
martinez with his curateS So. with a
wave of his hand Inc dismissed the sub
ject, and Tom knew that further appeal
was useless.
ITS rather too bad, grunlbled Mr..
Nxter, as he cwalked home to his humble
i !gings. But it is no use talking to
him about cricket; lie doesn't know bat
from a ball" And with It heavy heart
he tried 20 resign himself to the inevi-
table.
But two days later Il circumstance oc-
CURED which entirely routed Toms vir-
tuous resolutions. A letter arrived at
the reverend sentleman's lodgings which
was couchcd in the following terms:
iTEArncoTE HALL, LoAMsumE.
DEAREST Tow We are actually coming to town!
only for two days, though; and we are going to
Lord to see the match Uncle has got n drag
there, block b. OF course | shall never forgive
you II you don't come and see me; on Wednesday
afternoon we go to Essex TO stay with the Chill
vertons, so this is our only chance Of meeting. DO
come; in terrible haste Yours lovingly,
ALICE
From the foregoing it may hc gathered
that Miss Alice Hcathcote and Mr.. Tom
Baxter were on to!erably intimate terms.
As matter of fact they had been Tn
gagged for six months, during which time
they had very rarely met BaXter's peo-
pie were well of, and he had very rich
uncle, among whose possessions was an
excellent family living, destined in the
future for Ton and bis bride. But the
uncle was a stern and conscientious gen
tleman, and he was determined, before
he definitely agreed to give Tom the va
cancy-when it occurred-to see what
that young gentleman was made of. And
this was why Baxter had been sent to
help Mr.. Straightway in the East End,
why he worked so hard in the parish, and
why he was so desperately anxious to
stand high in his wears opinion.
When Tom read the letter his first inn
pulse, unclerical though it may appear,
was to use strong language. But he
restrained himself and fell to thinking
over the various means Of escaping from
his duties. A fresh appeal to Mr.,
Straightway he knew to be hopeless.
That worthy ascetic did not only look