The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-04-10
THE RECTOR'S WHIM.
by MARY S. HANCOCK.

III WIS II tuIlOuo With vi hN1tOi
Gray's to take pupil ana to teach him
farming. The glebe was on his hands,
certainly; and that had to be turned to
profit somehow; but the farmer who
managed the land was not the rector
by no means the rector. He read big
books, and wrote lengthy papers, and
preached thoughtful sermons; but he
could no more have titled the ground
and studied the crops than he could
have flown. All the sublunary details
of field and furrow life fell on Mar
garet's houlders-Margaret who was
the mainstay of house and parish and
farm.
1t was very considerate of the rector
to take pupil; and yet, in manner
this was forced upon him through a
promise made rashly TO an old friend,
and remembered by the friend when
forgotten by the rector, to the no small
discontinue of the latter.
Margaret. l promised, it seems, to
teach Elsdon's son farming, and here
is a note to say he is coming"
Daddy" Margaret had been pour
ing out coffee. She paused now. and
looked startled, as well she might.
Miss Betty, on the other side of the
table, put her hand to her ear in pro-
found establishment. what are you
going to do, John?" she demanded.
"You are never going to teach that of
which you know next to nothingg"
The rector waved his hand towards
his daughter. There's Margaret" he
said at once. as if she were, indeed, a
tower of strength.
"Yes, here is Margaret" repeated
Miss Betty; "but what of that?"
..She can look after him. Is that the
post, Amer
The bag was put down near him, and
the rector turned over his letters with
relief, while his sister looked at his
daughter in some alarm.
Poor Margaret she said, quietly,
''what things you have to dol"
The rector tore his lettrs open with
impatience. He had almost forgotten
his pupil, and his mind was full of other
matters.
IAN invitation from the bishop" he
said, with a pleased look. Dear me!
lie wishes to see me and compare notes
as TO that book of Redmond's on Church
Architecture. A very interesting topic
to him, remember. think have Red
mond's book, Margaret?'
"Yes, it is in the library" she said
answering the interrogation; but
Daddy, the pupil?"
"Welll What of him? You can sure
ly manage"
as he a boy or man?" she asked
quietly. 1t was not of much use to
question the rector, but she felt she
wanted more information.
He rose at once. Don't worry, dear,
he said, quietly. 81 do not suppose he
will come just yet" Then, in a tone OF
great benignity, he added "Elsdon is
rather nice fellow, but he is dense
He states nothing positively
When the door closed behind him,
Miss Betty coughed. 81 know some one
who is denser," she remarked, coldly
"oh, you need not frown, Margaret;
know your father better than you do. u
Margaret sighed as she took up the
letter her father had been only too glad
TO hand over TO her. I'VE must make
the best of things" she said, gravely
"That is philosophy, Aunt Betty"
1T sounds like humbug in your case,
my dear. bad is the best as they say
here. l wish had your courage, Mar
garet."
In the hall the rector was fussing
about in bewilderment. The bishops
letter had disorganized his mind.
Are you going now?" asked Mar
garet, in surprise. "Surely this is tok-
ing him at his word with a vengeance"
HE asked me to lunch to-day, and
TO stay a night. Put me up some clothes
dear; as am so far on my way, l think
/ will go on and see James Martin. II
Is long since we met"
"And this boy-this young Elsdon p
"0h!" The rector's tone was impa-
tient. Il do not think he is such hoy
But deal with him yourself. / leave
him in your hands. Can Anne be trusted
with that pacling?"
Il will 20 and do it,"
''Thank you, dear. You always man
age we'll"
In truth, he thought never invitation
had come so OPPORTUNITY. BY the time
he returned Elsdon would have shaken
down into his place, and Margaret
would be accustomed to his presence.
1t was a little novel-this idea of a
pupil-but he hoped it would end right
~. Margaret was a girl of sound iudg-
Ilent, and "she is &c. said the rector.
"quite q sensible age"
So he went eff gladly, almost gayly
TO his learned leisure and scholastic
holiday, and Margaret was left with
the burdens of life.
She gave orders at once about young
Elsdon's room; and then set of on her
daily rounds. A good deal Of stock
was reared on the land; it paid fairly
well, but occupied much thought and
time. The numerous sheep and lambs
weighed heavily on the farmer Just at
this period, and Margaret, strongly
shod, her hands protected by thick
gloves, had n good tramp over the
ground in search of her large family s.
as Miss Betty called the animals; nor
did she think Of turaing towards home
until the sun reminded her that il was
time for lunch. She parted with the
hind at one O'Clock. slowly retraciug
her steps and thinking OF her duties.
Poor Margaret Grayi This was a diff