Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-02-13

WIS one OF those
men who, without meaning to be dish
greeable, nevertheless make themselves
disliked wherever they 60. The real
reason WINS that he WINS utterly devo'd
OF tact. He seldom failed to say the
wrong thing, especially when 1t was es-
sential that he should say the right.
If there was a chance Of putting his foot
into II, into 1t tas sure rs eggs) his foot
went. II he was obliged. in the exer-
else OF his duties, to make an unpleas-
mt remark. he was absolutely certain to
say IL in the most unpleasant way.
These unfortunate proclivities were a.
ways displaying themselves.
There was another little point about
him which increased his unpopularity
especially among the tradesmen of
the place. He was ''near" In the matter
OF money. lie seemed to have con-
stitutional aversion TO parting with 1t.
Even when nm account was due he in
,uriably dallied in the discharging oil
the same; and though he always paid
up in the end, he often kept shopmcn
waiting longer than they cared about.
II was really fad of his-a mere
idiosyncrasy. and did not arise from
any conscious chnrlshness. But the
shopkeepers OF Winfield regarded II
ehopkeepers of Winfield regarded II
niggardly nature; aud though they
supplied the vicar, because II was worth
their while, they nevertheless dislikcd
him with all their commercial souls.
Winfield was small place Of 1900
inhabitants, something between n tiny
town and an overgrown village. II
had quite a fair number OF shops
butcher, baker, fishmonger, grocer.
linendrupcr, ironmonger, wine MGR
chant and tobacconist. II was served
by doctor, exc by IN auctioneer. But
there was one important thing not 10 b.
had there-namely, law. No solicitor
lad yet found II worth his while to set.
tie in So small place.
Butnbout the middle Of October wear
or two since a solicitor did, at length.
make his appearance, and set up In
Winfield. His name was Perks. He
was shrewd, dapper, little man, Of pre-
possessing exterior and insinuatlng
ways, who soon made to himself friends
in the village. Although his manner
was bland and courteous, II WAS pretty
obvious that he was not quite gentle
man. But rs very few persons In Whin-
field-except the squire and the vicar
had any pretensions to that distinc.
ton, the solicitors lack OF the pure
"haut ton" WINS no barrier to his getting
on. Perhaps, indeed, II rather helped
him; since II was to the tradesmen and
farmers that he would chiefly have TO
look for business; and they preferred
q man with whom they could associate
on footing OF equality.
This Is just what Perks did. lie con-
stantly went to the trndesmen's houses.
He dined ard supptd with them. lie
did the civil TO their wives and daugh-
tiers. He often dropped in casually IN
the afternoon for cup Of tea. or in the
evening for pipe and glass Of grog.
This naturally made him popular in
their circle.
"Mr. Perks Is quite the gentleman
said Mrs. Grocer IIcbb, "nnd there's M
nasty pride about him. neither"
True. Maria" asserted Hobb. her
spouse, q fat md prosperous figure,
"Perks is n good sort. And IL have a
bit of lawyering 10 be done I'll put It In |
Perks way"
For the first month or two after his |
arrival In Winfield Perks was regular |
attendant at the parish church. TWAS
the proper. the respectable thing to do. |
besides, to get In with the vicar-even |
when the vicar Is unpopular-may pay |
newcomer very we'll in q country |
parish.
But the vicar did not take to Perks al |
all. From the first he had shown dis
like TO him, and nothing that the solicit
tor did TO ingratiate himself In thnt
qnarter made any difference. At he
best Of times, and to his dearest friends.
the Wears manner was scarcely agree
able. Where he felt dislike II was pos
itively forbidding. Perks put up with
several snubs from him, pour lie bon
motif" But ut length, seeing the use
leszness of such course. he abandoned
further attempts to win the wears
friendship. and openly declared himself
on the side of the reverend gcntleman's
enemies.
There was scarcely tradesman In
Winfield who was not TO be numbered
IN this category. From Grocer Hobb
aornwards every one Of them had bis
rriesnncs against the vicar. Treats
Ne IKE q dog. be does" said one.
efsSaT nsIIs 10 sec me when In w" /