The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-02-13

- was ono OF those
men who, without meaning to be disa-
greeable. nevertheless make themselves
dislilxed wherever they go. The real
reason was that he was utterly devoid
of tact. He seldom failed TO say the
wrong thing, especially when 1t was cs-
scntial that he should say the right.
If there was a chance Of putting his foot
into il. into it las sure as eggs) his foot
went. If he was obliged, in the exer-
else OF his duties, to make an unplens-
ant remark. he was absolutely certain to
say IL in the most unpleasant way.
These unfortunate proclivities were al
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. He seemed TO have con-
stitutional aversion TO parting with II.
Even when an account was due he in
yariably dallied in the discharging OF
the same; and though he always paid
up in the end, he often kept shopmen
waiting longer than they cared about.
Tt was really a fad of his-a mere
idiosyncrasy, and did not arise from
any conscious churlishness. But the
shopkeepers OF Winfield regarded il
shopleepers OF Winfield regarded it
niggardly nature; and though they
supplied the vicar, because IL was worth
their while. they nevertheless disliked
BIN with all their commercial souls.
Winfield was n small place OF 1900
inhabitants, something between n tiny
town and an overgrown village. IL
had quite fair number Of shops
butcher. baker, fishmonger, grocer,
linendrapcr. ironmonger, wine MGR
chant and tobacconist. IL 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 IL worth his while TO set
tie in so small place.
Butabout the middle of Octobera year
or two since n 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 insinuating
ways. who soon made TO himself friends
in the village. Although his manner
was bland and courteous, IL was pretty
obvio,ls that he was not quite gentle
man. But as very few persons In Whin-
field--except the squire and the vicar
had any pretensions 20 that distinc-
ton. the solicitors lack OF the pure
'haut ton" was no barrier 20 his getting
on. Perhaps, indeed. IL rather helped
him; since IL was TO the tradesmen and
farmers that he would chiefly have 10
look for business; and they preferred
a man with whom they could associate
on a footing of equality.
This is just what Perks did. He con-
stantly went TO the tradesmen's houses.
He dined and supptd with them. He
did the civil to their wives and daugh-
ters. He often dropped in casually in
the afternoon for a cup OF tea, or in the
evening for a pipe and a glass of grog.
This naturally made him popular IN
their circle.
''Mr. Perks Is quite the gentleman
said Mrs. Grocer Hobb. "and there's no
nasty pride about him. neither"
"True, Maria" asserted Hobb, her
spouse. a fat and prosperous figure.
''Perlxs Is a good sort. And IL have a
bit of lawyering 10 be done I'll put II In
Perks' way"
For the first month or two after his
arrival in Winfield Perks was a regular
attendant at the parish church. TWAS
the proper. the respectable thing 20 do.
besides. 20 get in with the vicar-cven
when the vicar Is unpopular-may pay
newcomer very well "a n country
parish.
But the vicar did not take TO Perks {
al. From the FIRST he had shown dis
like 20 him. and nothing that the solicit
Cor did 90 ingratiate himself In that
nuarfar rs,odr any d3svcrcnne A A..