Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-29
CHAPTER ".

sat alone in the small dlnlns-room OF
his house at Bosekop, finishing late
tea, and disposing of round after round
Of hot buttered toast with that suave
alacrity he always displayed in the con-
sumption of succulent eatableS. lie
was a largely made man, very much
on the wrong side of fifty with ae-
cumulations of unwholesome fat on
every available portion OF his BODY.
His round face was cleanly shaVen and
shiny, as though its tiaboy surface were
frequently polished With some sort OF
luminous grease instead OF the custom
ary soap. His mouth was absurdly
small and pursy for so broad a counte-
rance-his nose seemed endeayoring to
retreat behind his puffy cheeks as
though painfully aware OF its own IN
s.sniticance-and he had little, sharp,
ferret-like eyes of dull, mahogany
brown. which were utterly destitute OF
even the faintest attempt at any actual
expression. They We're more like glass
leads than eyes, and gllttered under
their scanty fringe of pale-colored lash
es with a sort of shallow cunning,
which Nigh mean malice or good
humor-no one looking at them could
precisely determine which. His HAIR
was of an indefinite shade, neither light
1ol dark, somewhat of the tinge of
dusty potato before it is washed clean
Il was neatly brushed and parted IN
the middle with mathematical precl-
sion, while from the back Of his head
it was brought forward in two pro1ec-
lions, one on each side, like budding
wings behind his ears. 1t was impos-
sible for the most fastidious critic 10
find fault with the Reverend Mr.. Dyce-
worthy's hands. He had beautiful
hands, white, soft, plump ana we'll
staped-his delicate flbert nails were
trimmed with punctilious care, and
shone with pink lustre that was pos
itively charming. He was evidently an
amiable man, for he smiled to himself
over his tea-ne had a trick OF smll-
g-ill-natured people said he did il
on purpose, in order to widen his mouth
ard make it more in proportion to the
size of his face Such remarks, how
ever, emanated only from the spitefu
and envious who could mot succeed in
winning the social pol ularity THAI
everywhere attended Mn Dyceworthy's
movements. For he w,I Is undoubtedly
popular,-no one could deny that. In
the small Yorkshire town where he
usually had his abode. he came little
short of being adored by the women
OF his own particular sect, who crowded
to listen to his fervent discourses, and
came away from them on the verge of
hysterla, SO profoundly moved wer
their sensitive souls by his damnatory
doctrines. The men were more reluc
ell admiration, yet even they
were always ready to admit that h
was an excellent fellow, with his heart
in the right place"
He had a convenient way of getting
i'll at the proper seasons and of re-
quiring immediate change of air,
whereupon his grateful flock were
ready and willing to subscribe the
money necessary for their beloved
preacher to take repose and relaxation
in any part of the world he chose.
This year, however, they had not been
asked to furnish the usual funds for
travelling expenses, for the resident
minister of Bosekop, a frail, gentle old
man, had been seriously FRUSTRATED
during the past winter with an affec-
ion of the lungs, which necessitated
mis- going to a different climate for
change and rest. Knowing Dyce-
worthy as a Jealous member of the
Lutheran persuasion, and, moreover, as
one who had in his youth lived for
some years in Christiania thereby
gaining a knowledge of the Norwegian
tongue, he invited him to take his
place for his enforced time OF absence,
offering him his house, his servants, his
pony-carriage and an agreeable pecuni-
airy douceur in exchange for his SER
vices. proposals which the Reverend
Charles eagerly accepted. Though Nor
way was not exactly new to him, the
TGSlUu u Ilc AIlSH Il JOlu Hdh ana ne
at once felt, though he knew not why,
tina the air there would be the very
thing to benefit his delicate constitu-
ton. Besides, it looked we'll for at
least one occasion, TO go away for the
summer without asking his congrega-
ton to pay for his trip. 1t was gener-
GUS on his part, almost noble.
The ladies of his flock wept at his de-
parture and made him socks, comfor-
tiers, slippers. and other consoling
gear of the like description to recall
their sweet memories to his sanity
mind during his absence from their
society. But, truth to tell, Mr.. Dyce-
worthy gave little thought to these
fond and regretful fair ones; he was
much too comfortable at Bosekop to
look back with any emotional yearnirg
to the ugly, precise little provincial
town he had deft behind him. The
minister's quaint, pretty house suited
him perfectly; the minister's servants
were most punctual in their services:
the minister's phaeton conveniently
held bis cumbrous person. and the min
ister's pony was quiet beast, that
trn,ted g00d-tpnDp rpdlv whprpvar n