Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-04-28
THE ROMANCE OF MUTBY
WORKHOUSE
By Mrs. Isabel Smith

THE guardians of the Mutby work
house had just finished their or
9inary meeting, when the master, with
tather "a sheepish expression of coun-
enance, observed:
Il think. gentlemen, ought to lay
before you a letter / received yester-
Jay. First one of that sort ever had"
Dear me, Trip, what's that?' ex-
Stained the chaplain, otherwise the
rector of Mutby, commonly called Par
son Weaver, a round, rosy-faced man,
who more resembled a farmer than a
clergyman.
The other members of the board
ceased their various conversations and
looked expectant, all except DIR.
Eyesham, 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 a 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 BE had just been wondering how
ut could ever have been accepted as
popular fact that his sex were behind
hand in the matter of speech, when this
new delay occurred. He was a man of
about IS, quiet and reserved, living
by himself, and accustomed to long,
lonely drives about the Suffolk country
on his professional errands.
Oys
U'arson 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 at the recent agricultural
show.
The master cleared his throat, and
read, somewhat neryously, the follow
ing epistle:
Sept 10, 1s-.
TO the Master of Mutby workhouse:
Sir: am native of Thorpe ST. Barna-
bas, AMI left this country 40 years ago for
Australia, where I made comfortable for
tune. am now returned to my native land,
but find nearly all my friends are gone and
scattered. am 5S 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
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,
fare you to be turned into a matri-
monial agent in your old age?"
The master half laughed. 1T 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. Eyesham was gazing absently out
of the big window at 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
a 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 1 don't know that should
take any notice of the letter.
The master coughed deprecatiugly
well, sir, if I may be SO bold as tt
suggest. I just mentioned the matter
to my wife, and she says she think:
he might do for Susannah West
.'Susannah West!" exclaimed tn,
doctor, bringing the legs of his chai
to the ground so violently as to max,
the others start
rs that the girl with the reddisl
alair?" asked the squire, screwing III
his eyes meditatively.
land violent eyes," said the parson
Every much like some of the old mas
ters' portraits of the Madonna"
"The young woman's father was
small farmer at Cutton All Saints,
said the master, land failed. She wa
I'll for long while after she got here
1t seemed to prey upon her mind