The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-07
PART l.

"The most delightful thing about our
engagement is that everybody is 50
pleased with it," Amy Townsend said
this, smiling down at her lover, who,
fun length on the grass beside her.
leaned on his elbow, watching her so1t
hair blowing across her forehead, and
the color of the sun llickering through
the shadows, hot on her cheek; for she
had closed her fluffy white parasol and
taken off her hat, here under an oak
tree ON the grassy bank of the river.
Il should have thought that the fact
that we We're pleased ourselves was a
triie moro iinnOrtant?' he suggested.
But Miss Townsend paid no attention
To his interruption.
you know, generally, when people
set engaged, there are always people
who eXclam: either the man is too
good for the girl land you are too good
for me, Billy! or the girl is too good
for the man"
she is. there is no question about
that" the man interrupted.
BE quiet" the other commanded;
"but i'm our case, everybody approves.
You see, in the first place. you are a
Parson, and I'm a Worker That's what
they call me, the old ladies; "a Work
err And, of course, that's a most ap-
propriate combination to start with"
well, the old ladies will discover
that my wife ism going to run their
committees for them" the parson said,
cmphatically; besides if I'm a Par
son. you're ParsOn, How do the old
ladies bear it. that l haven't any an
cestors, and used to run errands in a
tin shop? I'm a worker, literally
enough
You are a goose" she told him,
calmly; don't keep interrupting me.
Billy. What do ancestors amount to?
l admit I'm glad that none of mine
We're hanged ESQ far as | know or that
they didn't run off with other peoples
money-Or wives. U'd mind the wives
less than the money, / must confess.
| suppose You think that's very medi-
eVal in meD But what credit is their
good behavior to me? You are a
credit to your people, whoever they
Were-and my own belief is, they were
prinCes!'
She had such charming way OF
tlinging up her head. and looking down
at him sideWise that he was willing to
have had any kind Of ancestors, only
to catch that look of joyous pride; and
in his own joyOusness he was impelled
to try to take her hand in his: but her
fingers We're laced about her knee, and
she shook her head.
NO! I'm talking seriously; you
mustn't be silly. You must listen tC
the other reasons why we are approved
of: First, you are a Parson, and I'm a
Worker. Secondly, YOU are forty-two
and it's high time high time sir! fol
YOU to be married; and I'm twenty
seVen-and, really, you know, my
chances are lessening'-tthats what
they say my deaD and l hardly de.
serve, after all these years.
And offers?' suggested her lover
"Atter all these years, Billy, not tc
get crooked stick in the end"
I'm not crooked, / win admit" ht
said.
"Thirdly." she proceeded. "you ar,
very good-looking, and all the old Tab
bies say that handsome ministe!
ought to be married"
The old tabbies might find some
thing better to talk about" he said
his face hardening. "Oh, Amy, that:
the kind of thing that makes a MAJ
crinSC!--l mean minister. Here il
this great serious, strenuous matte
of ltving-the consciousness of God
that's what living is in its highest ex
pression and to further that con
sciousness is the divinest human pas
sion. a man tries to do it. gives hi
- life to it, and Immediately he is foo(