The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-03

fish classic which has given delight to generations of readers for nearly A century and half. Time has wrought no diminution of its popularity or rob- that that it Y viii fi continue to to Dc reead and is spoken. but into that far time. when as the classic of a dead language, 1t is translated Into some as yet uniformed
 The simplicity and purity of it's 1it- erary style made a fitting vehicle for the pure and simple thought which said to have, kept the manuscript in his desk for two years. before he ven- tured to give it to the world, pelng doubtful of its reception. But when finally published, the book was receiy- ed by the discriminating portion of the public with 3 consideration and praise which has endured to this day--not only unabated. but rather increasing with the years.
 It Is said that Goldsmith wrote the books while lying in debtors prison and 1t Is easily beiievable; for the. au- thor's loose life, coupled with the
 poSerty and Tep tm h@ so early grave In many things he was the very antithesis of his writings. and while he won the love of all with whom he was brought in contact, he also ex- guardian. "Mr. Goldsmith was wild" 1" said Johnson to Boswell after the au- thor's death, wild sir-~but he is so no more"
 TAR. PRIMROSE, the Vicar of Wakefield. was clergyman.
 whose life seemed secured against the storms of fate ana the yfcissitudes of fortune. His parish lay in a pleasant part ot Eng-' iand: his afflueht circumstances en- abled him to live on terms of eauaaty with the gentry of the surroundins country. and as he had chosen his wife as she chose her wedding gownr-not for a fine. glossy surface, but for such aualitfaa as would wear well--they lived very happily together with their six children. dispensed a pleasing and open hospitality and spent their time in visiting their rich neighbors or Tn relieving the wants of the poor.
 The childreA, the offspring of tenn perance, as they were educated. without softness, were at once we'll formed ana healthy; the sons hardy and active5 the daughters dutiful and blooming.
 Not that they had no cares to vex- the Squire would sometimes fall asleep in the most pathetic part of the Doc tors sermon or his lady return Mrs. courtesy Boys sometimes robbed the doctors orchard or yagrant cats plum dered his wife's custards which had been set outside to cool.
 The eldest son, George. had been educated at Oxford. and was engaged to marry Miss Arabella Wilmot, the charming daughter of an opulent squire of the neighborhood. The tive girls. olivia and Sophia, who came next In the order of birth, wore young ladies whom the managing Mrs. Primrose looked upon, because of their beauty and good qutlitles of heart and mind as destined for still more brilliant al- dances. Moses. the second son, be- cause he haggled over the price of everything he bought was looked upon by the family as prodigious financial genius, was educated at home and de- stined for mercantile career. The two youngest boys, twelve years junior to Moses, were too small as yet to have careers picked out for them, and they devoted their unbounded talents to learning to read.
 Suddenly all this bucolic felicity and prosperity was destroyed and swept away. The London merchant who had charge of pr. Primrose's funds fled abroad to escape his creditors. and the worthy parson was left penniless. But the distres Of the family at this news was as nothing compared with that of the lovers, for Squire Wilmot had enc virtue, prudence, too often the only virtue left unimpaired at seventy-two and withdrew his consent for the mar riage of his daughter with George.
 Obliged to give up his luxurious home, the doctor accepted a small cure in Q distant neighborhood, where his spiritual labors were to be recompens- ed with the use of farm of twenty acres at small rent and fifteen pounds year; and gathering together the simplest and most useful of his family belongings, he removed his family to the new habitation.
 George, having been bred a scholar. was sent to London to seek his for tune, his parents never doubting that his wonderful abilities soon would re- store the ruined prosperity of the fam ly,
 T have been young and now am old" quoted the doctor. yet never saw I the righteous man forsaken, or his seed begging their bread" They stopped at an inn on the journey, where the landlord was exceedingly polite to the vicar-the doctor having some ready money which he had obtained by the sale of some of his property at Wake field-and exceedingly harsh with traveller who announced that he was unable to pay his score. having the day before Intentionally given all the money he had with him to the parish beadIe to induce that official to refrain from