Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-07-18

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'SsSs~s%~' spinning aion
with freedom they never had fancieG
they straightway wondered at all thes
allegations. And how, indeed, does
brisk turn under tho sky, and between
the fields, drive away cobwebby no
tions. In the old days canter nigh
do it, but horse is luxury, and
even if you can afford it is ever get
ting out of condition, and to be fl
must have a modicum of constant ex
ercise. But low all go a-spinning, tn
horseman as we'll as the onetime long
distance walkers, the sinners, an,
those who strive to regain this oil
world from the curse.
Among these latter, no one is bette
equipped for the ancient fight than tn
rector of Saint Matthew-in. the Park
the Rev. Lemuel Springer. Will
body and mind attuned to fin,
healthfulness, at thirty, he believes
strongly, and breaches and acts hi
belief, and in these days when clergy
men sometimes forget that their dut,
is but to heal the hearts wounds, ant
to preach the reward OF simple hon
esty and clearly living, it is a deligh
to sit of morning in pew of Saint
Matthew.in.the Park and listen to the
direct and human religion its athlec
tic young rector expounds. /, myself,
remember him when he was No. on
the Varsity crew, and very great
man. He still could, pull that third
oar as strongly, but the only sport hie
duties now permit him is wheeling,
and if you 60 to the park OF q morn
ing you may sec him going up and
down hill and doubtless meditatine
those words for the soul cheer afforded
by his bits of sermonlzing, put always
in English tersely strong.
And yet lie has all Ills troubles, his
experiences, his questionings, his sin,
his falsity, and if you will follow my
story, you will see how it was all due
to the wheel that he once forgot him.
self.
Of May day the Rev. Lemuel was
coasting down the long hill into the
struggling village of Roundbush,
Westchester. 1t was his day OIL
outing, and now at noon he was
hungry after a twenty. mile exhilar
ating spin; and the world had put
its care away, and his blood wat
tingling and his heart singing like
the birds in the fields and the treetops
through the windy blue spaces Of
that sunny spring-day sky. The old
tavern at Roundbush bears on creak'
ing sign a distorted likeness of GU,
first great President, and after long
years of desuetude again has found
usefulness through the revival of the
road, and faunts q noon placard
"Lunches for Bicyclers." Yet this
afternoon the Reverend Lemuel
thought that he had it quite to him.
self, as the fat landlord pushed hit
shirtsleeves further above his brawny
elbows and said he guessed he could
give his visitor ''somethin' that was
fit eatin'." And Lemuel-I will dror
his title-thought the broiled chicken
delicious and sauntered into tho par
lor, dark after the sunshine, with its
haircloth chairs and its colored prints
Of "Washington Crossing the Della
ware" and "John Browns Capture,
and certain photographs Of prim rura
folk.
Now, usually, Lemusl was most OBJ
serving. Yet he had been in thai
room fully FIVE minutes before he no
ticed q figure stretched out on &
couch; at the dark side, to be sure, sc
that 1t may not have been so strange
that he had not seen her at first. Hell
face sunk in q pillow, she seemed to be
sobbing. Lemuel at once made TO,
the door, when he heard q sweet ani
strangely plaintive voice:
''I'm such fooll Oh, I beg your
pardon |" she added, with such eviden
confusion that Lemuel turned abou
hastily to see the prettiest figure of 6
woman in witchIng bicycle costume
and what she was like I'll leave you tc
fancy; just fancy, that is, the very
incest girl Of your acquaintance, and
you will see her as Lemuel saw bel
much more easily than from any de
scription of mine.
"Ohl" she said hastily, rubbing he,
eyes.
II beg your pardon" said Lemuel.
''It was my fault, she said, looking
him over demurely. 81 forgot this
was public room"
II am sure it was mine" said Lem
uel, hastily. 1t was all rather strange
and sudden. and yet he decided o.
once that she was Q wellbred young
person.
ooh, I am glad" che exclaimed.
II don't see Why" he blurted out
in astonishment.
because you are Mr.. Springer O.
Saint Observation-Disclosures"
He bowed, remembering with BIZ
OF oonoeit that q lot OF people doubt
less knew him whom he didn't know
from Adam or Eve.
81 need . clergyman" she said.
Now ct this astounding Statement
Lemuel stared his utter astonishment
Did she need his spiritual advise? Sh,
looked bit worldly.
"ihat is rather q surprising state
ment," she added.
II don't know" he said, hopeiessly
II mean" she said, ~ want an GO