The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-28
S The Canon's Mouth. !



piled, with an engaging frankness.
I'm going up to town for the new
piece. I don't suppose you've heard
of 1.-THE new plece?''
"Ah, quite a coincidencew said the
canon. his thoughts turning to tEc
notes of his speech TO the recently es-
tablshed Peace association. 80 avn
l."
what, you don't mean TO say YOU
are interested in it?''
Il ain very deeply interested said
the canon.
you mean you are one Of the pro-
moters?"
IL have done my best to further its
interests"
well, that is funny You've got a
STALL"
II have occupied a stall for many
years"
"rhe same one. But it is not unlike
ly that it may ere long be changed for
one of--cr--greater prominence. And
you are really taking a part?''
II should think ] am" The lady's
eyes sparklcd.
"You will speak" asked the canon.
81 shouldn't think of taking any
didn know that clergymcn took an in
terest ir these things. You are cl"r-
gymar. aren't YOU"
Certainly ! am. But why should
you think it funny? Why should not a
clergyman take an interest. 10 ais ut
most to promote"
"Wpli,'
"It is surely the truest Christianity
to advocate a peace which must bene-
fit every one, must appeal to every
One--cXcept, perhaps, the military
men"
"Oh, | assure you. the officers will BE-
perfectly wild about il. It's just the
thing they can understand"
Dear me! You astonish me. Yet
perhaps q peace which contains no ele-
ment of shame"
"Oh. it's all right in that way"
Would appeal ecen to an officer in
his majesty's service"
The canon leaned back in his seat
and meditated on this new view of life.
while the lady resumed her newspaper
and the express painted out of the Boy
Tunnel and was encouraged to hasten
by the scent Of SWndon in the dis
tance.
The canon felt in his coat pocket and
found Rcggic's letter 1t was just the
sort of impetuous boys letter which
irritates the middle-aged. Canon Beck
ford read it once again.
Dear Governor: I'm awfully sorry
to disobey you, but whatever happens
] am determined to marry Clssie. Ii
you would consent to zee her, / am
sure you would like her. She is the
best girl in the world. If YOU cut Off
my allowance of course / shall have to
chuck the law and try what | can do
on the stage. I daresay ] shall get on
all right, because Cissie is Just he
sort of girl to help a man. But, all the
same, | should he grieved if YOU
turned your back on your affectionate
son. REGGIE"
Consent to see her, indeed" NUT
tered the canon las the preposterous
conduct OF his son stood out before
him in its most outrageous colors. He
tore the letter across and across, and
threw the pieces on the floor of the
carriage.
You have dropped the envelope"
said the young lady, sweetly, handing
il to the canon.
"Oh, thank you-thank you, Pardon
me: | was agitated-annoyed A pure
ly personal matter.
The lady picked up her dressing bag
and put it on the rack, taking care to
cram the Label into obscurity. Then
she sat down opposite the canon.
Tell me- she said. "You needn't
mind; we may never see one another
agaln-and a woman can often help a
man.
The canon stared. But a pretty wo-
man who Offers assistance is not gem
orally denied
You could scarcely understand" he
said But I'm bothered about a son of
mine who wants to marry a girl from
from the footlights."
And why not
con. obviously
You have seen herr"
God forbid"
And does she insist on--on your son
marrying herr"
Il should assume that she would be
glad of such an alliance"
The young lady leaned back for a.
| moment and thought Then, bending
forward, she began again:
Canon Bcckford---'
How did you know?" asked the
canon, as she hesitated.