The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1895-08-29
THE Bitter BITTEN.


My uncle, Sir Charles Weatheringay,
was an old gentleman who owned d
large estate in Berkshire, and was
very much respected by the people Of
his ~neighborhoOd. He was kind and
indulgent to his tenants, many of
whom would sacrifice their lives at
any time to be of service to him. The
country gentry for miles around were
on the most intimate terms with him,
and all spoke of him In praise.
There was one man, however, for
whom my uncle had a decided antip-
athy. That was the Rev. B. H. Cald-
well, who occupied the glebe lands ad-
Joining my uncle's estate. They had
been friends for a number of years,
but Quarreled at last over some trivial
matter. and it made my uncle his
enemy for life. Uncle was d good man
in most respects, but he had this one
failing, if he once took a dislike to a
a he never forgot it; and on this
occasion his first impulse drove him
to seek revenge upon the Rev. Mr..
Caldwell.
At this time in England sectarian-
ism was very much looked down upon
by the Episcopal church, and as the
Rev. Mr.. Caldwell was a rigid Episco-
palian, my uncle's plan of annoyance
was a terrible trial to the venerable
gentleman who had been his family
minister for twenty years.
The Episcopal church was within
fifty yards of my uncle's estate and
was the only place of worship the fam
lily had ever attended, therefore it was
q serious affair to be at enmity with
the rector. But uncle was equal to the
occasion. He invited several prOmi-
nent Methodist ministers to come on q
visit, and, very much to their surprise,
offered to give them the ground on
which to build a large church.
OF course this piece of magnanimity
was eagerly accepted and drew down
upon his head the everlasting thanks
of the whole denomination. The work
vas commenced at once, and was soon
completed under the care of the newly
made convert, who took particular
pains to have the building erected in
full view of the Episcopal rectory.
Little did the M%ethodists know with
what malignant satisfaction the pro-
jector of this scheme gloated Over the
success of his plot, and the terrible an
guish of spirit that the Rev. Mr.. Cald-
well suffered then and during the re-
mainder of his life.
A brilliant young minister was duly
installed in the new church and soon
became the spiritual light of the dis
trict over which he presided. He was
a bright, handsome young man,, and
had the good fortune to be unmarried.
| This ma6n him a Oonnro1 ia vnrifa at
my uncle's home for reasons which
will appear presently.
My uncle had a family of sixteen
children, three of whom were daugh-
ters. The youngest was by far the
most beautiful, and was her fathers
favOrite, a fact which he took special
care to show; but she inherited a
strong will, and, Notwithstanding my
uncle'S love for her, he had serious
misgivings that she would bring dis
grace upon herself and her family.
The young Methodist minister was
not slow to perceive the difference be-
tween Maud and her sisters; but al
though he could not help seeing that
either Grace or Laura had the ad-
vantage of being more refined and
better in disposition, yet Maud in
spired a love in his breast stronger
than he had ever felt for n other
woman.
Little by little this acquaintance be-
tween the Rev. John Young and Maud
ripened and grew into an intense mu-
tual love.
But the course of true love never
did u smoothly, and the present case
was no exception to the general rule.
for Maud was already betrothed to one
of the wealthiest young men in Berk-
shire. This arrangement was made
by the parents of both. and in Eng
land, among rich families, disobedi-
ence to parental authority means
something serious; so dear little Maud
had trouble in anticipation if she
favored Mr.. Young's suit.
Young was very diplomatic, how
ever, and he contrived to make love to
Maud in a way that completely baf-
fled father and sisters, and he con
tinued to visit the house and retain
the friendship Of the whole family
under a cloak of religion which passed
as an excuse. for all his actions.
Everything seemed to favor the
lovers for a time, but a scene took
place one morning between Maud and
her father which threatened to mar
the pleasure of her future meetings
with Mr.. Young.
MY dear, it is now time for you to
name some definite day for your wed
ding" her father said in a very coax
ing way.
Maud was puzzled but was too wise
to say or do anything that would give
h old gentleman room for suspicion,
so she feigned surprise, and answered
"Oh! dear papa, do not press the
matter so soon; you know l am too
young to be married. and 1t would be
only an act of justice to let me wait
at least six months before placing me
at the head of a house, with all the
cares and troubles of a wife to bear
"Humbug! Cares and troubles! A
sensible woman should never talk in
that way. Your mother was married
when she was eighteen, and never re.
GREETED it, l flatter myself. Now,
Maud, this is all nonsense for you to
desire further delay. Charles has been
quite anxious of late, and he vows
that he won't wait any longer
"Well, dear papa. if you are in such
a hurry to get rid of me, of course !
must submit: but you much give me a
month, for you know it will take all
of that time to get my wedding dress
es made"
"Ah. that's better. You are a lear
sensible girl, and you shall have a
whole month. whether Charles likes il
or not"
And with a parting kiss father and