Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-05-13
The RcCtOr'S
Enlightenment
BY FANNY r GAY.


DEv. Mr.. TORRANCE, rector Of
N Hopeworth church, had a choice
collection of ideas. None of them orig
mated with him, for ideas were born
with the world and are simply passed
en- from age to age, sometimes lost to
view for a millennium or two, and
then brought to light by some vain soul
who imagines he has begotten . new
thought, a fresh dream.
But the rector had one idea which
the sons of men have never lost sight
Of, It has never had a rest, and it is
very old because 1t has had no oppor-
tunity to renew its youth. The rector
valued It the more highly because Of
its apparent age, for he believed he
saw therein the approval Of the CEN
turtles. Oldl Why it was old when his
great-grandfather was a bald-headed
infant-it was old when the world was
young!
But the poor old idea had spent its
energy. It was, in its present condi-
ton decrepit, inhrm, very weak on its
legs, fit only for a sanitarium, where
it could recuperate and reclothe itself
in the strength and garments of youth.
This, however, Rev. MI. Torrance would
not allow. He had no compassion for
its age-but the time came for its deliv.
erance.
The rector had a very clear concep-
tion of his favorite but aged idea, name
": The Man was the sovereign ruler
Of the world and the fullness thereof,
building the cities, waging the wars,
governing the nations, writing the
books, c~onquering the beasts of the
field and making ever the wilderness to
blossom under his hand-in a word,
Man was the embodiment of Power;
while Woman, albeit a somewhat nee
essary %appendage, was withal an in
ferior 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 a proposal of mar
rage to Miss Serena Baldwin, one Of
the worthy and devoted women of his
parish, he never so much as dreamed
Of opposition or defeat. Neither did
he consider il necessary to lead up to
the point cautiously and with due mod
Grafton, as many lovers do. It was in
early summer, a June haze lay in pur-
pie sheen upon the hills. the air was
velvet perfume. He was sitting in Miss
Serena's parlor. the picture OF minis
terial dignity, HIS hands resting on his
gold-headed cane. They had been dis
cussing the affairs of the church, when,
suddenly, imperatively. but withal be
ne~volently, as If with pleasure at con-
ferring high honor, he said, In cul-
tured accents:
miss Serena, I think you and I would
better be married"
Now Miss Serena was possessed Of
ideas also. Some of them were like
his and some were not. She was q
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 it before he did; and she also
knew her own mind. She knew she
loved him for his many excellentquali-
ties, she intended to marry him, but
she was convinced that the old worn
out idea which he cherished so fondly
should have a good long rest.
Accordingly when the Rev. The,
ophilus Torrance in such summary
terms acquainted her with his pur
pose she arose calmly, saying;
"There might be a difference Of opin,
ion on that subject Come out into
che garden, Mr.. Torrance, and see my
roses"
She led the way, ignoring what wai
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 wen
home.
He shut himself into his study, /
dazed and bewildered man. The OLE
idea came hating forth. What hat
she refused him? Impossiblei An,
yet, she had certainly not accepted
his offer. Worse yet, she had ig
nored the expression Of hts wishes
He would not submit TO such treat
ment, it was wholly out Of Gods OF
der Of things. It could not be-shI
would not-but there the poor oil
idea stopped. II could 60 no further
Two or three days after, be calleI
again on Miss Serena. She knew hi
errand before he uttered 8 word
Hardly was he seated before he be
gan;
"Miss Serena" he said slOwls an
impressively, 81 think you + Ted {