The record-union., 1897-04-26

to womankind, he doth so abhor it
despite his goodness to the village
widow as he will have all his house
hold work done by men, nor will even
have a female wash his clothes, but
the gardener must do it; slovenly, no
doubt, but of that his master recketh
little. There be rumors that, being
once crossed in love, it hath soured the
man. However this may be, he is,
though young and comely and of a
most distinguished presence, of SO grim
and stern a mien that men fear more
than they love him.
And is he sound for church and
King?"
Mr.. Thrupton laughed right merrily
Why, for aught / know, and so he
may bel But he hath deserted Sternax
Church since his quarrel with Parson
Thorp year ago last Martinmas. This
was how it befell:
There was little love betwixt the
two, and the parson had been reproach-
ing him for laxity in church. going, be-
ing perchance secretly vexed that
when he did come he ever fell asleep
at the sermon. But one Lords Day Sir
Ralph did not slumber thereat, for the
discourse was discharged full at his
head. He heard himself likened to
moody Saul vexed with an evil spirit,
and hurting javelins of despite at the
David of the pulpit who would fain
have harped to him the soothing mel
ody of true doctrine and sound advice.
And all in so pointed a manner as
to draw the stare of the congregation
upon him. And Sir Ralph did sit on
with folded arms like to a stone figure.
But when the preacher went on to
compare him with Nebuchadnezzar,
driven for his sins to a lonely life far
from the haunts of men and eating
grass as oxen CtWas another craze of
Sir Ralphs never to eat butcher S
meaD, up he got and was walking out
of the church, holding himself mighty
stiff and straight when a fat and
WheeZy old dog of the parsons which
was wont to lie on the steps of the
pulpit did come to meet him, wagging
its stump of a tail. The wrathful man
did raise his foot in act to kick, but
did of a sudden change his mind and
did pat it on the back instead. Lord!
how l should have loved to have seen
it alI,''
[ could not help but join in Mr..
Thruptons merriment; yet was I only
grieved as we'll for Mr. Thorp as for
Sir Ralph; good men both, yet blind
to one anOthers virtues and seeing only
one anOther's defects. That matter of
the dog should have healed their feud.
January 9th.-Did arrive at home and
found Dorothy, to my joy, in good
health and of gay spirits, and did rally
me on my good fare at the Bishops,
which was better, she would have me
note, than the Apostles.
But I, too, was in pleasant mood, and
made answer that they dined off fish
fresh caught, which was tit-bit Brack-
minister, being inland, knew nought of,
whereat she did break into merry
laughter which was music to mine
ears.
She was vastly handsome, my Doro-
thy, and light-hearted withal, as
thrush in the coppice on a summers
day.
April 10th.-We are arrived at our
new home and find the house but sor-
ry one. Yet is the garden marvellous
pretty with yew-tree hedges cunningly
trimmed and many sunny hooks where
in to sta thing to which my prede-
cessor was more given than most of
his coat, being a sickly man and ever
of a great languor in hot weather.
Dorothy and I be already drawing
plots of alterations in the house which,
methinks, will be for the better and,
doubtless, more to my daughters lik-
ing, Mr.. Thorp having been unmarried,
so that less did content him.
Nor will Dorothy have me forget mine
own comfort, but hath herself devised
room for my books and to compose
my discourses, which pleaseth me vast
ly. And she hath moreover planned
for me a bowling alley in the garden.
April 12.-I have to-day seen, but
from distance only, Stark Hall, the
abode of Sir Ralph Brant, who, l find,
owneth the bulk of this and other par
ishes hereabout; a fine house, but of
an appearance most forbidding for the
neglect it shows.
April 29.-'Tis strange how Sir Ralph
comes not to church. 1t cannot be
that he hath heard my sermons i'll
reported of, for the people, and notably
the younger men, do flock to the church
every Lords day. And Mr.. Bullamy,
the church warden, tells me twas but
a thin congregation in Parson Thorp's
time-the main old women and children,
and for the most part sad and sorry
sermons. But Sir Ralph l have not yet
seen, nor hath he made me welcome.
Now my Lord Trusfit, in my last par
ish, was ever careful to do everything
for my content and was wont to show
nm 111-
and a runlet of his best wine every
Christmas-so that Sir Ralph's coldness
irketh the more. Yet would / not judge
him hastily. Perchance he be warped
Of some trouble beyond the common.
May 3.-Dorothy, God bless her. be
growing into much favor in the parish
by reason of her kind heart and win
ming ways, and is already known and
loved of all my poor people And in
sooth the maid be passing sweet maid
and the apple of mine eye
May 13.-Am newly come from the
village. where be tales that Sir Ralph
IS wont to set man-traps and such-like
heathenish engines in his woods. which
/ be 10th to credit, and SO be Dorothy.
June 1o.-Since my last writing
things so strange have befallen that
IN the telling thereof / deem them wor-
thy of more fullness and precision than
is my wont
Twas > O'Clock at night on May 18th,
when, after we had supper d knock
came at my door, that Farmer Thribble
of Hebbleston was took of a sudden
worse and would fain see me.
'Alack, poor soul" cried Dorothy.
fE aE
Dame Prowlett would have it he hath
been ailing ever since his aguei,,