Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-07-07


really well educated MANI"
Eyes sir, yes. But more than that.
| want, Mr.. Starkey, to make myself
something that my daughters
and my sons-in-law would never feel
ashamed of me-so that their children
won't be afraid to talk to their grand
father. I know it's bold thought, sir,
but if | could
Speak" Mr.. Wigmore,'' cried Top
ham, quiyering with curiosity, speak
more plainly. What do you wish to be
come? With competent help-o
course, with competent help-any-
thing is possible
Really" exclaimed the other. You
mean that, Mr.. Starkey? Then, sir
he leaned forward, blushing, trembl-
ing, gasping-"c could | get to be-a
curate?''
Topham fell back into his chair.
For two or three minutes he was mute
with establishment; then the soul or
him sang jubilee.
"My dear Mr.. Wigmore,' he began,
restraining himself to an impressive
gravity, Il should be the last man to
speak lightly of the profession Of
clergyman, or to urge any one to en-
ter the church whom l thought unfit
ted for the sacred Office. But in your
case, my good sir, there can be no
such misgiying. I entertain no doubt,
whatever of your fitness-your moral
fitness, and / will go so far as to say
that, with competent aid, you might
in no long time, be prepared for the
necessary examinations"
The listener laughed with delight
He began to talk rapidly, all diffidence
subdued. He told how the idea had
first come to him, how he had brooded
upon it, how he had worked at ele-
mentary lesson books, secretly, and
then how the sight of Starkey's ad-
vertisement had inspired him with
hope.
"Just to get to be curate-that's
ALL I should never be worthy OF be-
ing vicar or a rector; l don't look
SO high as that, Mr.. Starkey. But
curate is a clergyman, and for my
daughters to be able to say their ia
Their is in the church-that would be
good thing, sir, good thing!'
He slapped his knee and again
laughed with joy. Meanwhile Top
ham seemed to have become pensive;
his head was on his hand.
co." he murmured, at length, IF |
had time to work seriously with you,
several hours a day."
Wigmore looked at him and let his
eyes fall
"You are of course, busy, Mr.. Star
key?"
Very, very"
Topham waved his hand at the pa
per covered table and appeared to
sink into dependency. Thereupon
Wigmore cautiously and delicately
approached the next thought he had
in mind, opham-cunning fellow-at
one moment fascinating, at another re-
tarding what he wished to say. Ii
came out at length. Would it be quite |
Impossible for Mr.. Starkey to devote /
to one sole pupil?
Chapter w.
MIR. Wigmore, / will be frank with |
you. If | asked an equivalent for the |
value of my business as a business,
could not expect you to agree to |
such proposal. But, TO speak honest
ly my health has suffered good deal |
from overwork, and I must take into |
the great probability |
thai in any case before long l should
be obliged to find some position
where the duties were less exhaust
ing"
Good gracious!" exclaimed the lis
tener, why, you'll kill yourself, sir
And I'm bound to say, you look far
from WELL"
Topham smiled pathetically, paused |
a moment as if to reflect and con-
tinued in the same tone of genial con
fdence.
Let us consider the matter in de
tail. Do you propose, Mr.. Wigmore
to withdraw from business at once?"
The fruiterer replied that he could
do so at short notice. Questioned as
to his wishes regarding a place of res
idence, he declared that he was ready
to live in any place where, being I'M
known, he could make, as it were, a
new beginning.
''You would not feel impatient"
said TOpham eff saw two or three |
years had to elapse before you could |
be ordained?"
Impatient" said the other, cheer
lily. why, if it took ten years I |
would go through with it. When l /
make up my mind about a thing I'm |
not easily dismayed. If / could have
your help, sir
The necessity of making definite
turned Topham pale; he was
SO afraid of asking too much. Al.
most in spite of himself he at length |