The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-03-23

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Y Association. y
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In March. LIS, there appeared in
the London Chronicle the following ad-
vertisement:
A living of Gl0O a year will be given to
a curate on condition that he marry the
giver He must be young we'll recon-
mended for morals and good temper and
firmly attached to the present happy es-
adjustment Answers may be left at the
bar of the Union Coffee House. Strand,
London. directed to z. l.. The utmost Sc
creey and honor Is to be depended upon.
Gerard Wentworth. young man of
twenty-five, saw It and was attracted
by it for the following reasons: He
had barely completed his studies pre-
Eminary To taking orders when stimuli
taneously a lawsuit involving the fam
lily property was decided adversely
and Gerard's father died This left
the young clergyman on the thresh-
old of life with two sisters and n
mother 10 provide for. He was think
ing of giving up his profession and
accepting Il clerkship in mercantile
house where he could earn more mon.
ey than in the church when his eye
fell on the advertisement.
rs there not in this" he unused. ~
chance for me to follow the career |
love and am fitted for? II should
marry this woman might eventually
become bishop"
So he left note ut the Union Coffee
InllSn sInfin.r thuf hn I, hn,
TO meet the holder of the living and in
due time received an invitation to call
at Twickenham. Il suburban town a
couple of hours ride from London.
Mr.. Wentworth alighted from the
coach at an imposing gateway and
walked up through attractive grounds
10 n manor house. Dreams of marry
ing n fortune were kindlcd in his
brain. but they We're soon put 10 flight
by Il housemaid who wered his
knock. pointing TO a dlapidated look
ing cottage in one corner of the in
closure and telling him he would find
the advertiser there. With sigh he
turned and. walking over to the house
in question. knocked again. serv-
ant who had apparently left the wash
tub replied TO the summons and show
ed him into n dizzy living room. the
blinds TO which were all closed. Pres.
entity an angular woman of fifty en-
tered and announced that II was she
who had the disposal of the living.
Wentworth WAS too much of gen
tleman to get up Immediately and take
his leave. He talked in desultorv
way and among other things told tho
lady that his purpose in getting the
living WAS te be able 10 continue in his
career and prov idle for his mother and
sisters, whereupon the woman told
him eurtly that his application would
not be considered for Il moment
Wentworth rose 10 go. but the WON
an asked him to wait n few minutes.
She then left the room and was gone
some time. When she returned she
said that. after all. his love for his
mother and sisters had affected her
favorably toward him and that she
would think the matter over Would
he call again IN a few days?
Wentworth said. "Thank you,"
which might mean anything or moth
ing and took his leave As the door
closed behind him Il figure emerged
from the manor house~a young girl
dressed like II lady and withal comely.
She and Wentworth met at the gate,
and it seemed TO him that she must
know that he WIS an applicant for the
living TO be disposed of. for she looked
amused Wentworth. who had reach
ed the little gate beside the driveway
few paceS before her. paused to let her
go through taking off his hat politely.
Il wish You joy with your living
and your BRIDE she said. snap in
her eye and n pair of dimples on each
cheek Ranking II smile
Il have not yet been accepted. nor
have accepted" he replied walking
on beside her
why should II Young man of your
age need To marry an old woman for
living Of She hesitated
zone hundred pounds" he supplied.
lie told her that he WIS bound by hon
or and affection TO consider his moth
er and sisters
The girl walking in the same direc-
tion as the curate. they continued to-
gether TO the inn from which the
coach started When they parted she
said to him.
"Come and see me ! have n friend
who has at her disposal living much
better than the one You have applied
for nnnIn't har lint |
can introduce you and will use my in
1uence In your favor think when !
tell her that you are ready to sacrifice
yourself for your mother and sisters
she will be disposed to help you. Our
clergy, as you know, are chiefly inter
ested in gambling and cock6ghtiDg.
It's not easy to find n real true heart
ed man among them"
Wentworth. quite delighted with so
fortunate an encounter smiled a pleas
ant smile, and day for the introduce
ton was appointed.
Before the time for the introduction
came round he received a note from
the young lady-signed Alice Trelawney
saying that the person who had the
living to dispose of desired to hear
him preach. Would he do so in the
church at Twickenham on the follow
ing Sunday and would he be a guest
at her house between Saturday and
Monday?
Wentworth accepted with joy In his
heart If he succeeded in this case
there need be no marriage with
venerable spinster. A roseate hope
futtered in his bosom that he might
marry the girl who was endeavorlng
to benefit him.
The following Saturday the after
noon coach stopped at the Oaks. the
curate alighted, and his portmanteau
was set down from the boot He was
received by Miss Trelawney and intro
duced to her aunt, the head of the
house, for Miss Trelawney was an or
phan. He spent the rest of the day
nd "a hnv L1;,