The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-11-23
GOLDSMITH AND AMERICA.


-
He Paid His Passage to This Country, Al
though He Did Not Come.
Oliver had but lately completed a
rather wild and irregular course of
study in college, and his kinfolk had
try parson, as his poor father had been
before him. He felt his uniitness for
such n calling. but he cared less for
that than some Of the irksome re-
traints that it would impose. For in
stance, he could not bear the thought
of being obliged to wear a long wig
when he preferred a short one, or OF
being always dressed in a black coat
when one Of bright colors suited his
fancy SO much better. He had frankly
told his relatives that he preferred
pretty clothes to the hard lot of a poor
parson; aud yet, as neither he nor they
could think Of any other business for
which he wal better fitted, he at last
consented to apply for holy orders.
But when the time came for him
to go t the bishop of Elphin to be
ordained, he could not resist the temp
tation to wear a pair of beautiful scar
let breeches with long hose and the
brightest buckets. For would he not
become a parson tomorrow, and be
forever condemned to sober black?
The good bishop was Mortified at such
levity, and refused to ordain him. Per-
haps upon examination he found that
the young man was entirely ignorant
OF the catechism.
This failure of divers had been
much less of q disappointment to him
than to his friends. But as he was now
twenty-three years old, and his moth
err was very poor, it was highly neces-
do. And so he had found employment
as q private tutor in q wealthy family
e Lissoy. From his pupils point
Of view, he was, no doubt, an
accomplished and successful teach
er. He was only q great boy
himself. and life would have been one
long holiday to everybody il he could
have had his own way. But his way
did not please his employer, and final.
ly, after q quarrel. for which Oliver was
doubtless to blame, he was dismissed
The money which he had earned a,
tutoring, however, was sufficient &c
equip him Al q knight Grant, for II
enabled him to buy the horse and the
splendid new suit of clothes with
which, as I have said, he rode one fine
morning into the city of Cork.
To his great satisfaction, he found 9
ship already in port waiting only fol-
favorable wind to sail for America
He lost no time. therefore, in selling
his horse and in making a bargain
with the captain for his passage t,
the new world. Then he sailed on
to see the town. He had no diff
Aculty In making friends; for he has
money In his pocket, and he pro
ceeded to share 1t with all the beggarl
and street loafers that he met. II,
was ready to relieve every case Of dis
tress that came to his notice, an
many Of the boon fellows whom h
helped to entertain at the tavern
Several days were passed in this way
and the thirty pounds In his poke
had dwindled to but little more thai
thirty shillings; and still the ship
upon one pretext or another, delAye'
its sailing. One fine night, however
while Oliver was In the country enjoy
ing himself with some newly-msde nc
quaintances, q favorable wind sprani
up, and the captain, entirely neglect
full Of his passengers, ordered the yes
sci to be cast loose from her mooring
and the sails to he set for the voyage
And in the morning, when Oliver sau
tered leisurely down to the wharf. b
found that he had been left behind
James Baldwin. in St. Nicholas