Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-08-06
CHAPTER VI.


My fathers animation that he had
invited the Rev. SilRs Fuller 10 lunch
con disturbed me. knew Mr.. Fuller
very well. and I was beginning TO
know my uncle q little. Two men
differing more vsoely in habit and
opinion II would be difficult 20 ind.
and feared that 4 conversation be
tween them might afford my father
and me more embarrassment than en-
tertainment
The Rector or Holdenhurst Major
was 4 thin. spare man. little on the
wrong side OF dfty. short OF stature.
neat IN appearance. formal and pre-
else IN manner and speech. The def
erence which for many years had been
paid 10 this reverend gentleman by
the most tractable but ignorant peas
artry In England. had bred IN him a
somewhat dosmatic style. Like most
OF his class. he had married early ia
lie. choosing for his wife q portion
less lady about three times his own
size. who. IN lieu OF dowry. had pre-
scented her lord with seven daughters
ana four sons in the most rapid sue
cession permitted by the laws OF Ma
ture- The living OF Holdenhurst Major
was worth E-2O a year IN money. with
a tolerable house. and five acres OF
land ell told such were the means AT
the disposal OF this clergyman OF the
Church OF England. and with them he
had 70 support himself. his wife. his
eleven children. two servants. one
pony. che dos. and one cat. as well a.
take 6 material interest in the well
being OF the poor OF the parish-that
Is 10 say. o. the entire population; for
my father and the Rector wers by
very much the richest persons 10 the
place I remember also a canary. said
10 have been the pet OF the eldest
daughter. that was once a member OF
this clerical household. but X died
whether from the draueht through the
window. OF hamilton. or IS prey 10
the hungry cat. I could never correctly
ascertain
felt that my worse fears were
shortly 70 be realized vhen-ln-roduc-
tons over. seats taken. and grace said
my uncle opened the conversation
by inQuiriRG * ar. Fuller how bust
hess was looking. hastily correcting
| rs sentence. and substituting church
matters Tor business"
I thank you. Air. Truman" replied
the Rector. with great deliberaLon. a.
De slowly smOothed the FUCKERS Ia his
waistcoat with his left hand. while
Lis right Erasped the w.ne-Elass which
he lad been about 10 raise 20 his lips
when addressed. Il thank you. Mr.
Truman. FOR your kind inquiry. 1, Is
very c0lz.LeraIe OF you 10 ask such
question. Too little Interest j. taken
10 the Church by persons not imme
diately connected with the Church
far TOO little interest Born IN ths
Church. II / may 50 express myself
Cor both my father and grandfather
held curacics At Splashmire-on-O rvveui
and myself. I trust. a conscientious
hard working minister OF the Church
I fully appreciate the comprehensive
ness and importance OF the question
with which you have been 70 good a
20 favor ne IL IS OILY on tie occa
sion OF ny visits 20 the Hail that
J And myself in q situation 10 be 50 IL
tellige1tly Intercepted / fear my an
I swer must be somewhat different iron
= that which doubtless your position q
! life and your proper opinions Undue
Z you 20 desire. The Church. alas ha
+ many enemies and among her en,
. mics are some who should be he
/ friends: though ] rejoice 10 inform 20
that We Of this district are rather {,
: ceptiOnaly free from such adverse il
4 nuences- The unprecedented deprei
|. sion In agriculture. however. aud n
e uncertain, though certainly unchri
I. ton. procedure OF one whom / tbinl
Z without the remotest exhibition OF pa
:. tisanship. / nay stigmatize as the ey
, genius Of England. Mr.. Glad"
y Mr. Fuller bad only proceeded ~
q far with his a1swer-the bare prelsa
q mary 70 = ffteea minutes discourse
D whea uncle Sans impatience.
10 which had been watching the grow
ie with alarm. reached an unbearab
" point. and he cried out:
D WAS that your pony / saw coniI
u - the path about half an-hcur ago
IL ct was replied the Rector. mus
surprised at such an extraordinary !
= terruptlon.
The animal seems IN a very =;
y onditsoD." observed uncle Sam.
~3ladcap - rather Old" said q
. Rev. AR. Fuller. looking very unco,
'orfab.e; I'VE have had him a 90
y 'nany years"
- think 10 must have occurred 90 q
ui .Dcle that the subject OF cOnyersati
glsich be had 80 Elswittingly start
~ .ould not be effeetually dismissed
q .sfz uncerDmonfoos WAY for after