The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-05-18
THE ROMANCE OF MUTBY
WORKHOUSE
By Mrs. Isabel Smith

house had just finished their or.
dinary meeting, when the master, with
rather a sheepish expression of coun'
tenance, observed:
~ think, gentlemen, ought to lay
before you letter l received yester'
day. First one of that sort ever had.
Dear me, Trip, what's thatT ex.
claimed the chaplain, otherwise the
rector of Mutby, commonly called Par
son Weaver, a round, rosy-faced man
who more resembled farmer than O
clergyman.
The other menlbers of the board
ceased their various conversations and
looked expectant, all except DR.
Evesham. the medical officer. For the
last half-hour he had heard every i'm
patient thud Of his handsome chest
nuts hoofs on the gravel outside, and
felt that what might be IN agreeable
method Of passing little spare time to
his confreres was waste Of precious
moments to q busy man like himself
The whole business might be settled SO
much more quickly had they been con-
else instead of rambling and disputa-
tive. He had Just been wondering how
It could ever have been accepted as a
popular fact that his sex were behind
hand in the matter Of speech, when this
new delay occurred. He was q man OF
about 35. quiet and reserved. living
by himself. and accustomed to long,
lonely drives about the Suffolk country
on his professional errands.
well. Tripp. what is it?" repeated
Parson Weaver, rather impatiently. He
had been interrupted in an interesting
discussion with his neighbor, the squire,
about the trotting hackney and gate
post" mangolds that he had got first
prize for ut the recent agricultural
show.
The master cleared his throat, and
read, somewhat nervously, the follow
ing epistle:
Sept. Is. 1s-.
To the Master OF Mutby Workhouse:
Sir: am a native Of Thorpe st. Barna-
bas and left this country 40 years ago for
Australia where / made a comfortable for
tune. am now returned to my native land
but find nearly all my friends are gone and
scattered. I am IS years Of age. strong
and hearty, and want a wife to help
spend my savings. Can you recommend
me nice, respectable young woman among
your inmates7 I should prefer a single
woman, not a widow, and would make her
a good husband. Please write by return to
Stephen Yaxley. Bell Inn. Thorpe St.
Barnabas, Suffolk.
A smile appeared on most Of the
faces round the baize-covered table as
the master finished.
Dear me, Tripp,' said the parson,
"are you to be turned into q matri-
monial agent in your old age?"
The master half laughed. ut would
seem so, sir. Curious letter, isn't.,it
gentlemen? But thought II my duty
to show it to you."
Certainly, certainly" echoed all.
DR.. Eveshan was gazing absently out
OF the big window at q distant view OF
stained wherry-sails gliding up the
river.
"What is your opinion. Evesham7' ?
asked the squire, rather pettishly. He
thought the medical officer might take
little interest in the subject, 30 tina,
he could get back the sooner to the
more interesting one of agriculture
and convince Parson Weaver that the
prize for mnngolds had been unfairly
bestowed.
my opinion? Ihave hardly had time
to form one" answered the doctor
coolly. "But don't know that ! SHOULD
take any notice OF the letter"
The master coughed deprecatingly
"Well, sir, If I may be so bold as to
suggest, just mentioned the matter
to my wife, and she says she thinks
he might do for Susannah West"
"Susannah West!" exclaimed th'
doctor, bringing the legs Of his chail
to the ground so violently as to make
the others start.
as that the girl with the reddish
hair?" asked the squire, screwing VI
his eyes meditatively.
"And violent eyes," said the parson
every much like some of the old mas
ters' portraits Of the Madonna"
"The young woman's father was I
small farmer at Cutton All Saints,
said the master, "and failed. She wa
III for long while after she got here
1t seemed to prey upon her mind"
"Yes, yes, we all remember" said th'
medical officer. "She had low fever
it was a tough job to pull her through.
"You ordered port wine for her. sir.
said the butcher. cheerfully. He di'
mt ohtec< to what some member,