The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-04-15
THE ROMANCE OF MUTBY
WORKHOUSE
By Mrs. Isabel Smith

THE guardians of the Mutby work.
house had just finished their or
binary meeting, when the master, with
rather sheepish expression of coun-
tenance, observed:
II think, gentlemen, ought to lay
before you letter received yester-
day. First one of that sort ever had"
Dear me, Trip, what's that?" ex-
claimed the chaplain, otherwise the
rector of Mutby, commonly called Par.
son Weaver, round, rosy-faced man,
who more resembled farmer than q
clergyman.
The other members 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 an agreeable
method of passing little spare time to
his confreres was waste of precious
moments to a 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 man OF
about IS, quiet and reserved, living
by himself, and accustomed to long,
lonely drives about the Suffolk country
on his professional errands.
"Well, Trip, what is it?" repeated
Parson Weaver, rather impa tiently. 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 at the recent agricultural
show.
The master cleared his throat, and
read, somewhat nervously, the follow.
ing epistle:
Sept. Is, 49,.
To the Master of Mutby workhouse:
Sir: I am a native of Thorpe St. Barna-
bas, and left this country 40 years ago for
Australia, where made comfortable for
tune am now returned to my native land,
but find nearly all my friends are gone and
scattered. I am SO years Of age, strong
and hearty, and want wife to help
spend my savings. Can you recommend
me a nice, respectable young woman among
your inmates? I should prefer a single
woman, not widow. and would make her
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 a matri-
monial agent in your old age?"
The master half laughed. sit would
seem so, sir. Curious letter, isn't it,
gentlemen? But thought it my duty
to show it to you.'
Certainly, certainly" echoed all.
DIR. Evesham was gazing absently out
of the big window at IA distant view of
stained wherry-sails gliding up the
river.
"What is your opinion, Evesham ?''
asked the squire, rather pettishly. He
thought the medical officer might take
little interest in the subject, so that
he could get back the sooner to the
more interesting one of agriculture,
and convince Parson Weaver that the
prize for mangolds had been unfairly
bestowed.
"My opinion? Ihave hardly had time
to form one," answered the doctor,
coolly. "But I don't know that should
take any notice of the letter."
The master coughcd deprecatingly.
"Well, sir, if I may be so bold as to
suggest, I just mentioned the matter
to my wife, and she says she thinks
he might do for Susannah West"
"Susannah Vest" exclaimed the
doctor, bringing the legs of his chair
to the ground so violently as to make
the others start.
"1s that the girl with the reddish
hair?" asked the squire, screwing up
his eyes meditatively.
Sand violent eyes," said the parson:
livery much like some of the old mas
ters' portraits of the Madonna"
''The young woman's father was a
small farmer at Cutton All Saints"
said the master, land failed. She was
ill for long while after she got here.
1t seemed to prey upon her mind"
Eyes, yes, we all remember" said the
medical officer. "She had low fever;
it was tough job to pull her through"
"You ordered port wine for her, sir"
said the butcher, cheerfully. He did
not object to what some members
called extravaganza in the sick-dieting,
which generally included good sup
ply of beef-tea.
"A sad case, sad case" said the
squire. "But I don't see why the young
woman can't go out to service"
"Not strong enough" replied the doc
tor, NOR brought up to that sort of
work. She has the instincts of lady.
but unfortunately not enough educa.
ton to fit her for teaching"