The Van Buren press., 1897-02-13


men who, without meaning to be disa-
ereeable, nevertheless make themselves
disliked wherever they go. The real
reason was that he was utterly devoid
of tact. He seldom failed to say the
wrong thing, especially when it was es-
sential that he should say the right.
II there was a chance of putting his foot
into it, into it las sure as eggs) his foot
went. If he was obliged, in the exer-
else of his duties, to make an unpleas-
ant remark, he was absolutely certain to
say it in the most unpleasant way.
These unfortunate proclivities were al
ways displaying themselves.
There was another little point about
him which increased his unpopulaGity
especially among the tradesnen of
the place. He was near" in the matter
OF money. He seemed to have con-
stitutional aversion TO parting with it.
Even when an account WAS due he in
Sariably dallied in the diseharging OF
the same; and though he always paid
up in the end, he often kept shopmen
waiting longer than they cared about.
1t was really a fad of his-a mere
idiosyncrasy, and did not arise from
any conscious churlishness. But the
shopkeepers of Winfield regarded il
shopkeepers of Winfield regarded it
niggardly nature; and though they
supplied the vicar, because it was worth
their while, they nevertheless dislikcd
him with all their commercial souls.
Winfield was a small place of $500
inhabitants, something between tiny
town and an overgrovn village. 1t
had quite a fair number of shops
butcher, baker, fshmonger, grocer,
lnendraper, ironm0nger, wine mer-
chant and tobacconist. 1t was served
by doctor, exc by an auctioneer. But
there was one important thing not to be
had there-namely, law. No solicitor
had yet found it worth his while to set
tie in so small place.
Butabout the middle of October year
or two since solicitor did, at length,
make his appearance, and set up in
Winfield. His name was Perks. He
was a shrewd, dapper, little man, of pre-
possessing exterior and insinuating
ways. who soon made TO himself friends
in the village. Although his manner
was bland and courteous, it was pretty
obvious that he was not quite a gentle
man. But as very few persons in Whin-
feld-except the squire and the vicar
had any pretensions to that distinc-
ton, the solicitors lack of the pure
"haut ton" was no barrier to his getting
on. Perhaps, indeed, it rather helped
him; since it was to the tradesmen and
farmers that he would chiefly have to
look for business; and they preferred
a man with whom they could associate
on footing of equality.
This is just what Perks did. lie con-
stantly went to the tradesmen's houses.
He dined and supped with them. lie
did tie civil to their wives and daugh-
ters. He often dropped in casually in
the afternoon for cup of tea, or in the
evening for pipe and a glass of grog
This naturally made him popular in
their circle.
MIR. Perks is quite the gentleman"
said Mrs. Grocer Hobb. land there's no
nasty pride about him. neither"
"True, Maria" asserted Hobb, her
spouse, a fat and prosperous figure,
Perks is a good sort. And if have a
bit Of lawyering TO be done III put IL in
Perks way"
For the first month or two after his
arrival in Winfield Perks was a regular
ottnnfla nj ~ Z he rot-ieh phurrb IA ,,as
the proper, the respectable thing TO do.
BESIDES, TO get in with the yical-even
when the vicar is unpopuar--may pay
a newcomer very well in country
parish.
Bat the vicar did not take to Perks az
all. From the first he had shown a dis
Ike TO him. and nothing that the solicit
tor lid 10 ingratiate himself in that
quarter made any difference. A. the