The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1903-03-27
The ReCtOr'S
Enlightenment
BY FANNY PERRY GAY.
. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


DEV. MR.. TORRANCE, rector of
N Hopeworth church. had a choice
collection of ideas. None of them orig
lFSnated with him. for ideas were born
r ~itha the world and are simply passed
vs. On from age to age. sometimes lost to
? KEW for a millennium or two, and
:. then brought to light by some vain soul
= who inragines he has begotten new
thought. fresh dream.
But the rector had one idea which
The sons of men have never lost sight
Of. 1T has never had a rest, and it is
very old because it 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
Euries. Old! Why it was old when his
great-grandfather was a bald-headed
Snfant-it was old when the world was
young!
But the poor old idea had spent its
:. energy. 1t was, in it's present cOndi-
ton decrepit, infrm, very weak on it's
legs, fit only for a sanitarium, where
u could recuperate and reclOthe itself
In the strength and garments of youth.
This, however. Rev. Mr.. Torrance would
mot allow. He had no compassion for
Its age-but the time came for its deliv-
erance.
The rector had a very clear concep-
sion ofhis favorite but aged idea, name
IL: 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, conQuering the beasts of the
field and making even 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, iRtAaded by the Creator
40 submit in passive obedience to Man
and do his will.
When, therefore, the rector made up
ais mind to offer proposal of mar
Eiage to Miss Serena Baldwin, one of
che worthy and devoted women of his
parish, he never so much as dreamed
NJ opposition or defeat. Neither did
ne consider it necessary to lead up to
the point cautiously and with due mod
grafton, as many lovers do. 1t was in
carly summer June haze lay in pur-
ME sheen upon the hills, the air was
velvet perfume. He was sitting in Miss
Serena's parlor, the picture of minis
serial dignity, his hands resting on his
goTE-headed cane. They had been dis
eussing the affairs of the church. when,
suddenly, imperatively. but withal be-
nevolently. as if with pleasure at con-
ferring high honor he said. in cul.
-4ured accents:
"Miss Serena, l think you and would
better be married"
Now Miss Serena was possessed o1
Sdeas also. Some of them were like
his and some were not. She was 6
woman of great discernment-sht
could see things. For some time SHE
had known that the rector was going
10 propose to her. In fact, she haC
known IT before he did: and she alsC
= knew her own mind. She knew sht
1oved him for his many excellent quail
lies. she intended to marry him. bu
she was convinced that the old worn
sat idea which he cherished so fondl,
should have good long rest.
Accordingly when the Rev. The
SphiIus Torrance in such summar
aerms acquainted her with his pur
pose she arose calmly, saying
There might be difference of opir
SDn on that subject Come out int
she garden, Mr.. Torrance. and see m
xOses''
She led the way, ignoring what wa
30 evidently in his mind, and talkin
an the merits of the various kinds @
roses. until he, in utter desperation
babe her good afternoon and wen
home.
He shut himself into his study.
1azed and bewildered man. The oil
13ea came hating forth. What! ha
she refused him? Impossiblel An
vet, she had certainly not accepte
MS offer. Worse yet. she had il
nOred the expression of his wish e
He would not submit to such trea
lDent, it was wholly out of Gods O.
Der of things. It could not be-sh
would not-but there the poor oil
idea stopped. It could go no furthe
Two or three days after, he Gale
again on Miss Serena. She knew h
'sxxznd before he uttered a wor
RzTdly was he seated before he b
gan:
"Miss Serena" he said slowl~ an
snpressively, II think you Fl lied