The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-08
A CLERICAL BLUNDER.
TFrom the New York POST

DOIn wore Nandyke DearQS, ana edcn
had his hair cut and conbed after the
English fashion. But here the likeness
ended. Upon close scrutiny, the two
were as unlike in features and express
sion as they were in temperament and
habit.
Amos Clarkson, the elder of the two
men, had Shrewd, clear gray eyes, thin
lips, and somewhat the air of man OF
fashion. He was musical, had an avow-
ed taste for aeStheticiSm, and had long
since decided that the easiest road 10
the qualification of his refined tastes lay
up the church aisle and ended at the
matrimonial altar.
ut won't do, Bertran,'' he said sagely,
with an air of superior wisdom that was
trying to his companion. Here you are,
being discussed on all sides, / say. II
the girl does not know better, you, sure
ly, ought to be more discreet. Old Mrs.
Appleton and the Lindons We're speak
ing of your violent attentions to the
strange goddess only last night, and |
really could not say ward in defense.
I'm defense of what? inquired the
new curate nervously, as he pulled his
mustache.
''See here, Bertram, Miss Norval is
agreeable and all that. but
But what? 1 have only shown her the
courtesies any man may pay any wo-
man who is passably good looking and
has wit enough to be amusing There's
no one in town yet, and I'm stranger
here. What's the harm2"
You have been walking with her ev-
cry day since you met her, and am
very sorry that I ever introduced you
to her. She is absolutely penniless, and
is earning her own living
We'll, whose business is it if she is
poor? That makes it perfectly safe.
Everybody knows / could not afford to
marry in that way. You talk as if We're
entangled hopelessly, and about to take
the matrimonial leap. Don't be uneasy
about me-
"Of course, I know nothing of your
Intentions replied the older man, nor
have L the right to ask you anything
concerning your personal affairs. only
thought L ought to give you word OF
advice"
Thanks, you are very good. And as
for my intentions, they are simple
enough am bored, and want to be
amused My intentions are to cultivate
all the agreeable people meet, and TO
go out with Miss Norval as much as
please
BY all means, said the Rev. Amos
Clarkson, but you won't remain at
st. IS long, if you do. Miss Peck
and Miss Elliott are shocked, and MISS
Lee says no curate ever behaved so
lightly before I know what the road IS,
I tell you've Travelled it," and Father
Barrand's first assistant sighed. It's
the same thing with them all. Mullen
was seen to wipe his eyeglasses on his
cassock, and poor Ferkins-you reInem-
Der Perkins rode about on a bicycle
by his physicians advice, and they both
had to resign. Father Barrand never
go The dignity of the ecclesiastical pro-
fession is CHASTITY burden to carry
sometimes
Il don't see the necessity of Haunting
apostolic raiment in the face of every
one 1 pass said Mr.. Bertram Terrence
decisively. Il haven't taken the three
VOWS, and 1 am not going into that
sort of nonsense A man in orders has
a right to some innocent amusement
and relaxation. In fact, it is a neces-
sity.''
tation my dear fellow, go ahead, say;
but don't blame me when the tea party
is over
Look here, Clarkson, Miss Norval is
the type of woman who is absolutely
above that sort of thine. She is sin
cere."
1T is none of my affair now that I've
Il am glad to hear you say So 1 am
not the kind of fellow to ruin my pro-
spects by a foolish marriage. L have not
gone, and shall not go, too far. If the
young lady has allowed herself to inn
agine my attentions meant anything
further than paStime for both OF us,
certainly have not myself to blame
Every women ought to be sensible in
such matters. If L ever have reason to
suppose that she cares"
1T will be too late. However, I have
finished my part in the play. I've got
an errand to do on the Hill, so I'll leave
you here"
Have a cigar to tighten your jour-
neN. TSpneQ MS as ne nelQ
lighted match in the hollow of his
hand "Cavallo-you remember Cavallo
at Harvard ?-Sent me box of these
from Cuba; try one. No? Well, good
night"
AS the younger man walked towards
his lodgings an amazed expression sat
upon his usually placid brow. Why
could not people let him attend to his
own affairs? He had been official ting
as assistant curate at st. IS rituals
, tic Episcopal church for the past three
months, and he had discovered that
curate's lot is not without it's difficult
ties. To earn the appreciation of good
Father Barrand and the elderly female
element, which was the dominant one
in the church polity of this Catholic
branch of the Anglican faith, was no
easy matter. Strait and narrow was
the path in which st. IS curate must
walk. and he who walked therein must
watch his steps. To kiss the stole with
graceful meekneSS, to bow with proper
devoutness before each of the three al
tars, to intone clearly, to genuf1ect in
good form, and hold ones thumbs with
due solemnity, We're strictly itemized in
st. IS supplementary decalogue, but
there were various other points to be
observed. The curates were on no ac-
count to enjoy the charms of feminine
society. The ritualistic movement in
herently tended towards the celibacy
of the clergy, and encourag cement of
social relations between womankind and
the incumbents of apostolic authority
must be discountenanced. The Rev.
Bertram Terrence pondered upon the
situation of affairs as he wendell his
way homeward, and arrived at a definite
conclusion. 1t would not to to lose his
present curacy. He could not afford to
marry poor girl He must-as deli
cately as possible, of course, but firmly
put an end to amy false impression his
evident admiration of the young lady
might have made. He would be can
did but gentle, and the outside world
should not know what an effort this self
control, this abregation, had cost him.
Miss Norva1 was busy with some
drawings for one of the ma gaines. Her
auburn hair was pushed back from her
low, broad forehead, and her violet eyes