The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-02-12

men who, without meaning to be disl-
greeable, 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 cs-
sential that he should say the right.
If there was a chance of putting his foot
into it, into it (as sure as eggs) his foot
went. If he was obliged. in the eXer-
cise 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 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. He seemed to have a con-
stitutional aversion to parting with it.
Even when an account was due he in
,ariably 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.
II was really a fad of his-a mere
idfosyncrasy, 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 small place of 1,5Oo
inhabitants, something between n tiny
town and an overgrown village. 1t
had quite a fair number of shops
butcher. baker. fishmonger, grocer.
inendraper, ironmonger, wine mcr-
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 wear
or two since a solicitor did, at length,
make his appearance. and set up in
Winfield. His name was Perks. He
was q shrewd, dapper. little man. of pre-
possessing exterior and insnuatirg
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 gentle
man. But as 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" 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 preferre.I
q man with whom they could associate
on a footing of equality.
This is just what Perks did. He COLI
stantly went to the tradesmen's houses.
He dined and supped with them. He
did the civil to their wives and daugL-
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 Hcbb, land there's NO
nasty pride about him. neither"
True. Maria" asserted Hobb, her
spouse, a fat and prosperous figure,
perks is good sort. And if have
bit of lawyering TO be done I'll put it in
Perks way"
For the first month or two after his
arrival in Winfield Perks was a regular
attendant at the parish church. It was
the proper. the respectable thing to do.
Besides, to get in with the vicar-even
when the vicar is unpopular-may paw
newcomer very well in country
parish.
But the vicar did not take to Perks n;
oil. From the first he had shown dis
Ike to him. and nothing that the solicit
tor did to ingratiate himself in that
quarter made any difference. At he
best Of times, and to his dearest friends.
'the wears manner was scarcely apree-
oble. Where he felt dislike it was nos
lively forbidding. Perks put up with
several snubs from him, "pour lie hon
motif" But at length, seeing the use
leesness of such a course, he abandoned
further attempts to win the wears
friendship, and openly declared himself
on the side of the reverend gentleman,s
enemies.
There was scarcely tradesman in
Winfield who was not to be numbered
in this category. From Grocer Hobb
downwards every one of them had his
grievance against the vicar. Treats
me like dog. he Does" said one.
ssNeyer calls to re me when I'm iii -