The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-12-02
The Parsons Thief


l II was on the third night Of IN
new moon that Gerald Alton. musinl
on his sermon In the darkness OF hi
I study. heheld from the window some
thing white moving in the garden.
AS Alhon's garden was a vegetable
garden. he thought fearfully OF some
thing sinfully trampling on his salads
and he rose hastily. Standing jusi
behind the window shutter he decid
ed. however. that a dog would b
shorter. a horse taller. and be aid
not believe In ghosts.
He went into the hall. took his hat
from the rack and stepped softly over
the threshold
As his footsteps sounded on the
gravel Of the path the white object
moved from the middle OF thu garden
and fed. He heard the click OF the
/ gate and then silence.
Hunt" mused the rector. and bent
over his lettuce bed. "A thief he
said as he straightened up.
The next morning a fuller investf-
CATION showed that there had been
depredations OF onions and radlshes.
But the minister said nothing to his
housekeeper. Common thieves do not
come CARRIED in white. nor are they
OF slender outline and graceful
The rector had no unusual powers
Of penetration. but II had not taken
him many moments to decide that the
spoiier OF HIS garden was a woman.
But Why he debated the next
night as he finished his sermon. why
should a woman steal-a lady. am
sure. By the grace OF her carriage
why should she steal my little onions
and my lettuceY'
But all the wisdom OF the Scriptures
did not answer his question And
after bis sermon was finished. he 4
again turned out his light and sat in
the darkness Of HIS study.
And again. as he mused. he saw a
patch OF white at the end OF the
garden. Breathless he watched. and
closer and closer came the ghostly
figure. until Il stood just beneath his
window
Then a voice said; Il have come
70 pay Tor the vegetables
Obi" His usual readiness OF speech
had forsaken the clergyman. -Oh. I
beg your pardon"
mo. you needn't beg IT." the voice
'ai5 again. Il picked some lettuce
md things last night. and here Is the
money. It wasn't a very conventional
way to go to market. but We wanted
salad. and"
The rector. peering over the sill. !
ausht the sparkle in her eyes as she '
made her half apology.
You needed your salad Late he Y
aid. dryly. Z
"Ah," her little laugh rippled out. I
Think OF my predicament. Some I
eople came on the last train-hungry q
nd there was nothing In the house
ut eggs. You see. I am such a new z
ousekeeper-we came only yesterday /,
and Susanne. my maid, forzets to r,
II me when things are done, and D.
ie shops are so far away-so, while
Ie made an omelette. flew into your -
lrden-and-and few back. and no A
Ie was the wiser" :.
II saw you" the rector Informal
II, land thought you we're a thief" a,
"OhI" There was little gasp. 1T
d look like It. didn't III But you ca
. ! have brought the money" and
. silver glittered on the sill as she We
read II out before him. sti
NO" the rector protested, -you ara tn
rfectly welcome to anything you
re 70 take" ed
'oh, but you must there was a
te Of alarm in her voice. because I ~.
ouId feel as II I had stolen II I am sal
allowed to pay,
lie was smiling down at her. you
! pay me by giving me a rose from sal
IT garden" he said.
Why don't you have roses OF your we
NJ" she demanded An
10 sighed. Il hardly dare allow try
self the luxury. II is cheaper to car
70 ones vegetables than to buy VIII
m" =
suppose" doubtfully. that your ner
ng Is not very good one7" ans
No. but there are donations" his pat
) twinkled. ~.
Such as roses7" she was laughing g
at him. The moonlight touched VII.
hair with gold. Gerald Allton's lea,
yes began 70 beat live
Nay ] come over some time and ma,
with you in your rose garden r. mar
asked. wifi.
'oms now" was the quick re- &
Iss. -