New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-30
IN CORPORE VIII.

Ny excellent md Fenwick. of Fem Hall, used
to be very fond OF IT, and this - why he has
given II up
Dobson was a High Church curate in
summy parish. very conscientious, very hard
working not very strong and none the stronger
for the early morning services which he went
through fasting. He believed In celibacy for the
clergy. and plenty of communion and confession
for the laity; he was the customary victim of
every idle drunkard and every gossplng old
woman in his parish; he had little faith In Wears,
and LEGS in bishops. and least of all in the Prvy
Council. In all this he was quite the ordinary
High Church curate. Where he was extraordi-
nary vas in being most eloquent speaker, not
only in the pulpit. bat even where there was a
chance Of being answered.
one day last year | bethought me suddenly
that Dobson was a friend Of mine at college
and since. and that had not seen him for some
time also that he just the man to make
speech that I wanted made at certain coming
meeting in which was interested. So girt up
my oig.s and made a pilgrimage to his parish.
which is far in the wilderness Of the Surrey side
On his doorstep found Fenwick. who greeted
me with an unusual enusiveness.
"My dear boy" he said. you're the very man
I was wishing for, and he shook me warmly
by the hand you have influence with Dobson;
speaking from my own experience. Mr. Fen
wick" | replied. Il should say that your only
chance is that what you desire should be some
thing he particularly dislikes: then he will prob
ably do it, But have you rung?"
Twice" said he. '"They not out, for |
hear some shouting inside perhaps that's
why they don't hear"
At this moment the door was flung wide open
and Dobsons small but energetic maid-ser
want appeared pinioning by the elbows very
large and very drunk woman whom she en-
deavored to push out OF the door. The woman
was resisting to the best OF her ability. because
she had not yet finished making some very en-
phatic remarks to Dobson. He stood with his
pipe in his hand and on his face an expression
of mingled anxiety for his servant and grief for
the verbal excuses Of her opponent. Perceiving
us he forgot them both. and ran to meet US.
HALO Jones. old man. you're stranger.
Very glad to you. Mr. Fenwick. Come in.
both Of you Very regrettable this, very. Real
ly. Mrs. Cookson. you know
But at this point took advantage Of a favor |
able chance. and pushed the woman off the steps
into the street. where she fell into a rather CON
fused heap, but never stopped cursing for an |
instant That donkey Dobson. actually ran
down to pick her up. but anticipated by a
policeman. who led her off with difficulty Dob |
took inside apologizing
Some OF these people are rather troublesome" |
he said, land the only way is to be very firm
with them. but patient. always patient. You let
your care for carry you away, Jones. I'm |
afraid"
In his room, which seemed to be furnished
chiefly with a crucfx and big table Uttered
with papers. were two or three other parshion
ers apparently sober. but in an aggressive con-
dition OF boredom. Dobson submitted with the
patience Of which he had spoken to be bored
about the parish magazine, the young mems
football club, the mission hall harmonium and
the coming Sunday school excursion. hatter
myself made his martyrdom appreciably |
shorter by glaring sayagey at the torturers. |
When the last had dragged himself away the |
victim dropped into asy-chair (so-called; it |
a wretched thing Of wicker work, and that |
be considered weakness Of the nesh), 1T a pipe, |
and turned with a sigh Of relief to rational con-
versaton 1t soon appeared that Fenwck's OBJ
1ect in coming to get Dobson to stay al
Fem Hall for few weeks. | have several
reasons for standing we'll with Fenwick. and |
there appeared nothing reasonable in his desire
so backed it up and Dobson could not help
feeling that he was really in need Of country air
and rather less work. he finally consented to
temporary exchange Of duty with the curate at
Che village church. who anxious to see
little of a London parish. When had likewise
booked Dobson for my meeting. Fenwck and l
departed together.
As we went out OF the door sheepish. half
grown boy ard an acrid old woman went in.
Fenwick called my attention to them.
That's the kind Of foolishness that's working