The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03
BOiled-DoWn Classics;
Second In the Series
THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD.
By Oliver Goldsmith
CHAPTER II.

~ HESE two ladies talked of
nobody but lords. ladies,
knights of the Garter. and
discussed high life and high
lived company. along with
such fashionable topics as
pictures. taste. Shakespeare, and the
musical glasses. 'Tis true, they once
or twice mortified the family sensloly
by slipping out an oath or Two, ouC
this appeared to the simple country
peODfe as the sureSt sign OF their as
tinction. though the good doctor, In has
narrative, says: Il am since informed
taat swearing is now perfectly IN
fashionable
Tho ladies declared that a season or
two in town would make the two girls
perfectly enhancing. and after sec
ond visit Lady Blarny proposed 10
take olivia to London with her as
reader and companion at liberal sai-
AIRY and Introduce her to all the best
society, while Miss Carolina Wilhel-
nina Amelia Skegs proposed to do
like good office for Sophia.
The family was delighted at the
prospects of the girls thus being pro
vided for, while the turrets OF mrs
Primrose's air castle scared into the
clouds Good fortune seemed coming
the way of the Wears FAMILY once
more. and they passed many happy
hours in expectation: for the hours
we pass with happy prospects in view
are more pleasing than those crowned
with fruition. in the first case We COOK
the dish TO suit our appetite; In the
latter nature cooks II for us.
One night. as the family were seated
around the fire INDUCING in their
pleasing anticipations. a footman came.
with q note from the two ladies' at the'
castle saying that they had hastily de-
parted for London and had resolved
not to take the girls with them, hav-
ing heard unfavorable reports OF them
from some people OF whom they had
inquired While all sat stupefied at
this piece of i'll luck and wondering
who their traducers could be, one OF
the boys came running in with let
tercase in his hand, which he had
found I'm the road. The case was
quickly seen 20 be one usually carried
by a Mr. Burchel. and finding a letter
IN IL Endorsed Copy OF a letter which
] sent 10 the ladies at Thornhill Cas-
tie" Mrs Primrose, in spite OF the
doctors protests, opened IL.
10 was a letter saying that the bearer
would satisfy the ladies as to the per
son from whom the missiye came, stat
ing that he had learned their intention
of taking two young ladies TO London
in character OF companions. and warn
ing them not to do so, as the writer
would neither have simplicity inn
posed upon nor virtue contaminated"
The Opprobium might be meant by
the writer. II would seem, TO apply
either to the ladies or the girls: but in
view of the note from the ladies the
Primrose family. OF course. at once
considered II to be a reflection upon
the girls. and the next time Mr.. Bur
chel put in an appearance he was
shown the door with many reprOacnes.
The parson was not quite satisfied.
and his conscience bothered him a
little; but the pain which conscience
gives a man who has already done
wrong Is soon overcome. Conscience
is a coward. and the faults II has not
strength enough 10 prevent Il seldom
has Justice enough TO punish by ac-
cusing
The London bubble having bursted.
the vicar found that IN trying TO ssso-
ciate with the people at the castle he
had run into debt; and Moses. the
financial genius Of the family. was
sent with one Of the plow-horses 10
a neighboring fair. where he was in
structed to sell the animal. He came
hack with a gross Of green spectacles.
for which he had traded the horse. and
which turned out 10 be mounted In
silver-washed brass and absolutely
worthless. The doctor now took the
other horse 10 the fair. and. falling
into the hands Of the same rascal who
had swindled Moses. came back with
a bogus draft upon a neighbor, which
that neichbor pronounced 20 be signed
by one or the most notorious sharpers
I'm England
While striving To support these now
AFFECTIONS by the aid OF philosophy and
religion. a greater blow befell the fam
ily. Little Dick came running In cry
IN; "Oh. papa. papa, She Is gone from
MS: my sister Ivy Is gone from us
forever
Gone. ch1dr'
Yes. She is gone of with two gentle
men IN a post-chaise; and one OF them
kissed her and said he would die for
her: and she cried very much and was
for coming back: but he persuaded her
again. and they went Off In the
chaise''
After the FIRST agony Of his Grief the
doctor said: son. brine hither my
Bible and my staff 7 viii pursue her.
wherever she Is. and though 7 cannot
save her from shame. 7 NAV prevent
The continuance Of iniquity.'
Leaving his distressed family en-
tears the wrorged father went at once
70 ThornhNi Castle and demanded to
sec the vounr Squire upon whom hts
suspicious fell as the abduc.or OF his
daughter. ThCrnhill received the aged
minister IN his usual light and cordial
manner. expressed great surprise at
the news OF Oiivia's eIOpment. and de-
MED Ill knowledge OF her wherea bouts
or any completely In her abduction.
But a hanger-on OF the Sources said
that he had seen the girl on tho road
TO the Wells. where there was much
gay company at the time. In the COM
panionship az "a man whose dcscriD-
ton made DR.. Primrose conclude ~
once TO he none other than his false
friend. Mr.. Burchel.
With his stan and his Bible and his
SORROW. the aRec clergyman started on
the thirty mile tramp To the Wells. and
tust rs he was snterinz the town. was
a fnn9