The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-17
CIR Hum,anre of
Mluthu aa1urlt!uuuse.
By Mrs. Isabel Smith.

had lust finished their ordinary meeting.
when the master, with rather Il sheepish
expression OF countcnance, observed:
IL think. gentlemen, l ought to lay be-
fore you letter | received yesterday.
First one of the sort ever had"
Dear me, Trip, what's that!' ex-
claimed the chaplain, otherwise the rec
tor of Mutby. commonly called Parson
Weaver, n round, rosy faced man, who
more resemblcd Il farmer than clergy
man.
The other members of the board ceas-
ed their various conversations and looked
cxpcctant, all except DIR. Evesham, the
medical officer.
For the last half hour he had heard ev-
cry impatient thud of his handsome
chestnut's hoofs on the gravel outside
and felt that what might be an agreea-
Bile method of passing Il little spare time
to his confreres was II waste of precious
moments to busy man like himself.
The whole business might be settled so
much more quickly had they been con-
else instead of rambling and disputative.
He had just been wondering how it
could ever have been accepted as pop
ular fact that his sex were bchindhand in
the matter of speech when this new de-
lay occurred. He was a man of about 30,
quiet and reserved, living by himself and
accustomed to long, lonely drives about
the Suffolk country OIL his professional
elrands.
"Well, Trip, 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 md gate
pest" mangolds that he had got first
prizes for at the recent agricultural
show.
The master cleared his throat and read
somewhat nervously the following epistle:
Sept. ID. IS.
To the Master of the Mutby Workhouse:
Sir--I am a native of Thorpe ST. Barna-
has and left this country 40 years ago for
australia, where | made comfortable
fortune. ! am now returned to my native
land, but find nearly all ;.iy friends are
gone and scattered. ! am o. years Oh oln,
spend my savings Can you recommend
me nice, respectable young woman
among your inmates? | should prefer a
single woman, not widow, and would
make her a good husband. Please write
by return to stephen laxley. Bell Inn.
Thorpe s.. Barrabas. Suffolk.
A smile appeared on most of the faces
round the baze covered table as the
master finished.
Dear me, Trip" said the parson, "are
you to be turned into matrimonial
agent in your old ageE
at would seem so, sir. Curious letter,
isn't it, gentlemen? But l thought it
my duty to show it to you.'
"Ccrtainly. certainly" echoed all. Dr.
Eveslam was gazing ahsently out Of the
big window at distant view of stained
whcrry sails gliding up the river.
What is your opinion, Evesham!
asked the squire rather pettishly. lie
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 con-
vince Parson Weaver that the prize for
mangolds had been unfairly bestowed.
My opinion? have 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 deprccatingly.
"Well. sir, if 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 the doc.
tor. bringing the legs of his chair to the
ground so violently as to make the 9th
ers start.
SIS that the girl with the reddish
hair?' asked the squire, scrcwins up his
eyes mcditatively.
"And violet eyes" said the parson
livery much like some of the old masters
portraits of the Madonna"
"Thc young woman's father was q
small farmer at Cutton All Saints" said
the master, "and failed. She was i'll fol
long while after she got here. 1t seem
ed to prey upon her mind.'
eyes, yes; we all remember" said thu
medical officer. "Shc had a low fever
1t was tough job to phil her through"
"You ordered port wine for her, sir,
/ said the butcher cheerfully. He did no
| object to what some members called ex
travagnnce in the sick dieting, whicl
generally included good supply Of bee
tea.
"a sad case, sad case" said tn
squire. "But don't see why the youn
woman can't go out to service"
mot strong enough" replied the doc
tor, nor brought up to that sort o
work. She has tho instincts of lady
but unfortunately not enough OF eluca
ton to fit her for teaching"
"rhen, for what can see Of it, sal
the squire, ''shc will be here for the res
Of her days-like old Molly Mobbs, tina
was rcckoned to have cost the ratcpayer
over $4,000 altogether"
"Un!css she accepts this OFFER" sal
the chaplair. "Eh, gentlemen"
At that moment a troop of little worl
house children filed past the window, 70
lowed by young wom&n, clad in lila
check union gown and hidcons tlnc
straw union bonnet with its purple RI!
bon.
"Therc goes Susannah West" e,
claimed the master. She's just bin,
ing the little ones home from WALL. .
rare hand she is with them too"
The sun was shining straight upon II
young woman in question and the toal
caught glimpse Of u dazzling wild ro'
complexion and bands " rcd gold wa
ing hair.
"A very respectable girl, indeed
said the parson, "and for ono sugEc
that we follow this offer up We Dug
t. make inquiries; and, though ha'
plenty to do in the PARISH" 1.-THE 9th"
exchanged quietly amused glances
this assertion, for it was well know
that the parSon took his parochi
duties very lightly, 81 will so over
Thorpe st. Barnnbas myself and find o
NIL can of Mr.. Stephen Yaxlcy. Is
} in the meantime, Trip, say nothing
the girl"
A special board meeting was held
few days later The parsons inquiri
! proved satisfactory, aud it only RENAL
ed to inform the young woman OF |
. proposal.
81 suppose you've quite settled
shall be Susannah West, gentlemen
. said the master, little diiHdcntly.
7 Il suppose so, Trip. Why? ask
the squire.
"Wcll, sir, for the matter Of gctti
rid of one Of the women, I'd sooner
i. was Mary Pott. Shes such grumbli
crcaturc-ncvcr satisfied"
80 she is, Trip; but then she's
y widow, and that is against Mr.. Yaxle
specifications
Tripp scratched his head. " Not
# bad looking woman, SIR he observed.
It mo, no. But stipulation is a stil
& lation; and |, for my part, consider Il
Providence has sent thos special offer
purpose for Susannah Vest
Yes, gentlemen; that is NIL very "
MS far as it goes" observed the medi
= nfiror who Ind not ypt spoken 81