The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-01-31
An Easter
Gift
How a Living In the English Church
Was Bestowed.
By F. A. Mitchell.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

~ Il
y Association. Q
| o-O-O-O-O-O-OO-o-O-o-o-o-o
In March, 175S. there appeared in
the London Chronicle the following ad-
vertisement:
living Of a10O year win be given to
a curate on condition that he marry the
giver. He must be young, well recon-
mended for morals and good temper and
.rmy attached to the present happy es-
adjustment. Answers may be left at the
bar Of the Union Coffee House. Strand,
London, directed to 2. L. The utmost se-
crecy and honor Is to be depended upon
Gerard Wentworth. a young man of
twenty-five. saw it and was attracted
by 1t for the following reasons: He
had barely completed his studies pre-
liminary TO taking orders when stimuli
taneously 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 a
mother to provide for He was think
ing Of giving up his profession and
accepting a clerkship in a 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, "a
chance for me to follow the career l
love and am fitted for? If should
marry this woman | might eventually
become bishop"
So he left a note at the Union Coffee
| H0nCn cfQ ffnU fhof hn h.
to meet the holder Of the living and in
due time received an invitation to call
at Twickenham. a 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
to manor house Dreams of marry
ing a fortune were kindled in his
brain. but they were soon put to flight
by a housemaid who answered his
knock, pointing to dilapidated look
ing cottage in one corner of the in
closure and telling him he would find
the advertiser there With a 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 dingy living room. the
blinds to which were all lospd Pres
emily an angular woman of fifty en-
tered and announced that it was she
who had the disposal of the living.
| Wentworth was too much of a gen.
tleman to get up Immediately and take
his leave. He talked In desultory
way and among other things told the
lady that his purpose in getting the
living was to be able to continue In his
career and provide for his mother and
sisters, whereupon the woman told
him CURLY that his application would
not be considered for moment
Wentworth rose to go. but the WON
an asked him to wait a 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 a figure emerged
from the manor house-a young girl
( dressed like a lady and withal comedy
She and Wentworth met at the gate,
and it seemed to him that she must
know that he was 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 PAGES 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 pair of dimples on each
cheek flanking smile
81 have not yet been accepted, nor
have | accepted he replied. walking
on beside her.
why should young man of your
age need to marry an old woman for
living Of She hesitated
Zone hundred pounds he supplied
He told her that he was bound by hon
or and affection to consider his moth
er and sisters
The girl walking In the same direc-
ton 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 a friend
who has at her disposal a living much
better than the one you have applied
for You needn't marry her. but
can introduce you and will use my in
huence 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 cockfghting.
It's not easy to find real true heart
ed man among them"
Wentworth. quite delighted with so
fortunate an encounter. smiled a pleas
ant smile. and a 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 q
venerable spinster. A roseate hope
| futtered in his bosom that he might
marry the girl who was endeavoring
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 TreIawney was an or
phan. He spent the rest Of the day
and the evening with her, and, being
an open hearted, frank young man.
Miss Trelawney within a few hours
knew more about him than he knew
himself. At any rate. she knew him
| to be a very lovable young man, a
matter of which he was entirely ig-
norant.
But the next day when Wentworth
stood in the pulpit to preach Miss IRE
lawney discovered something else in
him. His heart was in what he said.
and he had the gift of language to say
what was in his heart. He spoke ex-
temporaneously. his sermon being the
first heard there in many years that
had not been written. to say nothing
of having been purchased by the In
cumbent from some more gifted per-