The Newtown bee., 1899-11-10

pause. tour visit, however, 10 due to an
other project. 1t has occurred to us, sir,
that at your advanced age your duties
must be very ardu0us, and we have con-
cluded you need an assistant
"Eh ~ interrupted the pastor slowly,
sseh ~
1--WE should still want an occasional
sermon from you. and | suppose our
young folks wouldn't think they were
properly married unless you did the cou-
ping. There'd be demands enough on
your time once we made you pastor
/ emeritus, but the burden of the labor
would be lifted to other shoulders"
ITS to spare you, sir" little Mr. Lor-
| ing chimed in, "what-"
II don't want to be spared" Parson
Medlieott cried hotly; haven't CON-
planned, have L? There's mettle still in
the old man, and ink enough in the ink
stand Tor new sermons; when they give
out I've barrel full of old ones-wbat's
worth hearing once Is worth hearing
again. You needn't fear I'd fail YOU"
| ''Tut, tut! we've implicit confidence in
your abilities, and tho at times we think
you over-tolerant we know it's your ma
lure to hate sin and yet love the sinner
and to be ready to pardon every incom.
potency; still it has been deemed wi sest
to have a younger man to cooperate
withlyou. We have taken no definite
steps, hoping you might indicate some
one"
I'll will serve you, but for the mo-
mental cannot think"
ION, as to that, it's all Gin the air at
present; a few weeks hence will dos
prepared to 60.
"You must take more care OF yourself,
dominic" the doctor clustered with an
attempt at cheeriness; 'tjaunts over to
Little Silver to see old Belsey Fleming
are out Of the question. L saw you there
this AFTERNOON. She's good for number
Of years, so the next time she sends for
you, don't humor her. It's too far-you
must be very tired"
"Ye-es, [ am tired. had not thought
of it BEFORE
you'll like this idea Of an assistant
once you're used to it. It's good thing
to rest with folded hands after ones
work is done. A few years hence shall
look about for a successor myself"
500 so, sir, do so, before you hear the
word that puts you without the door,
| Dominie-parsonI
"Thcre there, forget it all. The old
man is bitter and peevish; bear with b i'm
friends. Yes, yes, you're right about 8
new hand at the helm-we'll talk of II
again, and soon. 1t will be better SO
better So"
He followed them into the hall while
Mr. Loring explained at length tht
duties of q pastor emeritus and Squire
Poindexter expatiated upon the esteem
and veneration with which Brosdmea
dows regarded, and always would re
gard, her beloved parson. The doctor
+ alone said nothing as he hurried his vol
> uble companions away; the sight of the
pain in the old mans face had plac ed {
heavy check upon his own tongue. HI
|, glanced back from the gate at his hos
, | standing on the doorstep, dark-robeG
silver-haired figure holding lamp alof
to guide their steps, and by his side
little white animal looking gravely on
> into the darkness of the night.
The parson closed the door after {
? moment and went back into his study
/ He stood gazing about him for tim
> sTith unseeing eyes, then he seated him
self again at the table but made no effor
to resume his book, nor did he notice tb'
: dog at his feet trying to jump up to hi
|. knees. Sometimes the N g. or could tax
the leap easily, at others ne seemed t
g doubt his own powers and would hesitate
making futile springs; then finally, van
O pushed by his fear, he would settl
3 nack on his launches, looking piteousl,
+ for aid to the hand that had never faile
a him. He went throug h this small pan
: tomine now, whimpering softly until tn
~ man, attracted by the sound, lifted tn
supplicant in his arms.
. "Old, little fellow" he said slowly
"why, so am $50 am [. And they'v
+ tired of me aftt III these years-that'
what it means despite their fair words.
= He pressed the dog against his breast
!. his resentment dying down on the instant
>. After little he went on, murmuring dis
= jointed sentences half aloud.
"Through the burden and the heat o
the day till sundoWn-Eh ! they mean
- kindly-they mean it kindly-they'r
full of tolerance for my shortcomings
:, Yet I'd hoped to die in harness-wea
s out, not rust out. How we cling to on
e brief authority, thinking we and we onl
can be of use."
He was silent for a few moments.
- "What's that Emerson says? HIN
), how does it go? It's time to be old, t
Il take in SAIL Yes that's it-apt! apt =
= and those other lines:
Y "As the bird trims her to the gale
j. trim myself to the storm OF time,
| man the Tudder, reef the sail,
Obey the voice at eve, obeyed at prime
n He let long pause intervene; then
J.. | with q sudden strengthening of his bowe
f shoulders, he sat erect and repeated tn
, rast of the poem as though the word
/ possessed significance unperceived un
T. til that moment.
} slowly faithful, Danish fear,
p Right onward drive unframed;
II The port,wen worth the crnises Is neal
And every wave is charmed"
9 His voice dropped into silence, his hant
fell to the little head nestled against hi
breast. He raised the dog higher ant
, with gentle touch turned the slende
muzzIe upward until the Majors eyes
dewy with sleep and yet alert to the de
r mand, looked directly back into his own
3 For long minute master and dog gazeC
! at each other, love and faith on either
+ side, then sudden beautiful smile broke
, over the old mans face.
1--WE can trust, little comrade," he
! said softly, tive can trust"