Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1903-03-27
The ReCtOr'S
Enlightenment
BY FANNY FERRY GAY.
Ev. Mr. TORRANCE, rector Of
HopewOrth church. had a choice
n of ideas. None of them orig
'sssssssesssssssesssssso

EV. Mr. TORRANCE rector Of
Hopeworth church. had a choice
N of ideas. None of them orig
ith him. for ideas were born
...tu tne world and are simply passed
on from age TO age. sometimes lost to
VI w for q millennium or two. and
then brought 20 light by some vain soul
who imagiE IS he has begotten a new
thought, q fresh dream.
But the rector had one idea which
the SONS OF men have never lost sight
of. it has never had rest, and it is
very old because ii has had no oppor-
tunity TO renew its youth. The rector
valued it the more highly because OF
its apparent age. for Ez believed he
saw therein the approval OF the cen
turies. Old. Why 1t was old when his
great-granGfather was 4 baId-heade6
fnfaut-it was old when the world was
young,
But the poor old idea had spent its
energy. Il was in its present condi-
tion Gecrspit, iEfrn, very weak on its
legs, ft only for sauitarium. where
it could recuperate and reclorhe itself
:
This, however. Rev Mr.. Torrance would
allow. He had no compassion for
sag-but the time came for its dehv-
lnce.
he rector had very clear concep-
Of his tavOrire but aged idea. name
The Man was the sovereign ruler
OF the world and the tuIIness thereof.
building the cities wagilg the wars,
governing the nations. writing the
books, conquering the beasts of the
field and making even the wilderness 20
blossom under his hand-in a word,
Man was the erJbodimerr OF Power;
while Woman albeit somewhat nee
esssry appendage, was withal an in
ferfor being, intended by the Creator
to submit in passive obedience TO Man
and do his will.
When, therefore, the rector made up
his mind to offer proposal of mar
riage TO Miss Serena Baldwin. one Of
the worthy and devoted women OF his
parish, he never Sc much as ireamess
of onr sition or defeat Nei5h=r t6s
T. der it necessary 70 Lead I'd to
cautiously and with due u1l,1-
as many lovers do Il was II
inner. a June haze lay in p4r-
| upon the hills the air was
-fume. He was sitting II Miss
parlor. the picture of minis
-lgnity. hA hands resting on his
headed cane. They had been dis
-cussing the affairs OF the church. when,
suddenly. imperatiyely. but withal be-
peyolently. as il with pleasure at CON
ferring high honor, he said. in eul-
tured accents:
Miss Serena think you and would
better be married"
Now Miss Serena was possessed of
ideas also. Some OF them were ike
his and some were not. She was a
woman of great discernment-she
could see things. For some time she
had known that the rector was going
to propose TO her. In fact. she had
known il before he did: and she also
knew her own mind. She knew she
loved him for his many excellent quail
ties, she intended TO marry him. but
she was convinced that the old worn.
out idea which he cherished so fondlv
should have good long rest.
Accordingly when the Rev. The
cphilus Torrance in such summary
terms acquainted her with his pur-
pose she arose calmly. saving:
There might be difference of opin.
ion on that subject Come out into
the garden, Mr.. Torrance, and see NV
roses
She led the way, ignoring what was
so evidently in his mind. and talking
on the merits of the various kinds Of
roses, until he, in utter desperation.
bade her good afternoon and went
home. ]
He shut himself into his study.
dazed and bewildered man. The old
idea came halting forth. What! had
she refused him? Impossible. And
yet, she had certainly not accepted
his offer. Worse vet. she had ig-
nored the expression of lis wisnes.
He would not submit 70 such treat.
ment, it was wholly out Of Gods or.
der of things. 1t could not t4-she
would not-but there the poor old
idea stopped. II could go no further. |
Two or three days after, he called |
again on Miss Serena. She knew his |
errand before h uttered a word.
Hardly was he seated before he be-
gan:
"&;ss Serena" he said slowly and |
tmPSessiVely, Il think you f lied to |