Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-04
The Stury Teller.
GOT A TANDEM.

OF course Mr.. Stone never for one
moment imagined that any of the par
ishioners would object to his riding a
bicycle.
St Johns. Runniford, was large,
struggling parish, and as he made
practice Of calling once fortnight upon
every member of the congregation he
rightly judged that it would save him
q great deal Of walking. Pleasure had
nothing to do with the purchase.
AS i'll luck had it, however, he en-
countered Miss Meddlebury the first
time he rode out. Although no tyro, be
was out Of practice, and he dared not
let 20 a handle to lift his hat, 80 he
went by with nod and smile.
Miss Middlebury stopped short Turn
ing about, she glared after the curate's
flying coattails until they disappeared
in the distance, then marched straight
to the vicarage, whittier she had been
several times before on Mr.. Stones ac-
count-visits concerning which he was
blissfully ignorant
1t is necessary to explain that Miss
Prudence Meddlebury was very i'm
portant parsonage in the parish Of St.
John. For the sake Of his poor the
vicar could not ignore her opinions
She had an income Of $4,000 year,
and one tenth of that sum-not penny
more and not penny less-she gave to
him to bestow as he thought proper.
By reason Of her confidence Mr.. Arm
itage shut his eyes to her austerity and
narrow mindedness, but the truth must
be told here. Miss Middlebury was
stern and forbidding in appearance and
disposition. Every form of enjoyment
she considered baneful, if not deadly
sin.
From the first she objected to Mr..
Stone. After his opening service, which
had greatly pleased the vicar, she COM
planned that he was too young, too tall
and too plain looking
"All the girls will be setting their
caps at him." she said at one of those
complaining visits previously men.
toned 'They will think great deal
more Of the preacher than of the SER
mon. It was very unwise of you to en-.
gage him."
The good old vicar said he hoped not
and thought no more about 1t unless tc
laugh quietly to himself.
In some unaccountable manner she
discovered that Mr.. Stone had fallen in
love with Nelly Armitage. 1t was trle
enough, but at the time the wears
daughter was by no means sure Of the
fact herself.
Miss Meddlebury was not aware thai
the handsome, we'll set up young cler
gyman possessed private income large
enough to marry upon whenever be
thought proper, but she would probably
have acted just the same in uny case.
"You know I warned you that Mr.
Stone would not do" she told tha
yourg lady's papa UNLESS you wist
to be entangled in a very undesirable
love affair you will get rid IF him."
The Rev. Mr.. Armitage looked fath
or bewildered, but not ct al. displeased.
Love affair? Nelly?" l,e exclaimed
"She hasn't said anything to me. no
has Mr.. Stone"
"No," said Miss Meddlebury, witt
her vinegary smile. II don't suppose i
has gone 80 far as that. thought it m.
duty to put you Oh your guard in time.
II am very much obliged. 1 an
sure" rejoined the vicar.
And there is no doubt he was yer.
thankful for the information. st. john
was rather a poor living, and he hat
given too much away to be able to saw
anything. His daughter being unpro
vided for, the prospects of her uniol
with an independent gentleman of tn
highest character would not be likely Il
interfere with his sleep Of nights.
"And you will act without delayT
continued Miss Meddlebury.
"When the time comes. l must no
be precipitate, you know"
The vicar changed the subject
plunged into parish affairs, and so es
oaped further awkward questions upol