The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1913-12-05
Observation-Disclosures
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
] LAWYER 5 PARSON (
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The Rev. Dr.. Melton was just Dcgih-
ming to feel at home in hIE new par
sonage when he was surprised one
evening to receive a call from his
classmate Harvey Leigh. In college
days they had been friends, ana for
awhile after their graduation they
had exchanged letters and visits; but
the letters and visits had come to an
end long ago, and it was many years
since they had met. As they sat in
the book-lined study, each eyed the
other curionsly. Years sat lightly
on Mr.. Leigh, and he was dressed
fashionably. almost yonthfnlly. In
his dark red neck scarf was thrust
a gold dogs head with ruby eyes, and
to the parson the scarf and dogs head
suggested a sporting character, and
he wondered mildly that a highly
respectable. prosperous, middle-aged
lawyer should thus adorn his person.
WELL" Mr. Leigh said, "and how
do you fancy the idea of becoming a
metropolitan preacher, and seeing
your sermon garbled in Monday morn
ing's paper7"
"The papers didn't garbie my ser
mon this week" the doctor said. On
the contrary, the reporters picked out
the best and overlooked The worst IN
the kindest and most fattering fash
ion."
Mr.. Leigh laughed You won't be
amiable to reporters when you know
them better. This is quite a change
from your old life, and an agreeable
change, no doubt. Or do you believe
that God made the country and man
made the town?
Il believe that God made them both.
and man tries his best to spoil both,
the parson answered.
"Ah, that,I neat-very neat. By the
way, ought to call you doctor. | read
your book on the Atonement with
good deal of pleasure" The parson
WINGED. but Mr.. Leigh did not observe
that. 81 don't wonder the college
doctored you for IL, though your Ideas
must seem rather liberal 10 the musty
old fogies who peddle out Latin anu
Greek and theology
81 came near being one Of the musty
old fogies myself" said Dr. Melton.
"They wanted me to be professor
but / prefer to be parson.
"A city parson," said his guest.
81 am not SO sure about the city
part" DR.. Melton said. slowly IL
was pleasant up there In the country.
| was attached to my people; liked
to potter about In my garden. was
agtonished when / received call from
New York. | don't know that | wouid
have accepted II II one of my deacons
had not had 4 promising son ready 10
fill my place, and | think that my
congregation rather liked the idea OF
a Young dominic. | had about come
To the conclusion that | should live
and die a country parson. but here
am"
with six thousand dollars year
and a comfortable house. added MI.
Leigh. ~.
The parson frowned. \ man with
four children has no right TO slight
chance of lettering his fortune, Ddt II
was not the money that brought me 10
New York. There Is work here" lie
broke of suddenly, perhaps beeaSe he
saw the shadow OF q sheer on MT.
Ieigh'g lips. And you are still Nv
ing I'm Philadelphia? he asked.
Yes. indeed: | would not live any
where else. New Workers. may turn
IN their noses and call It a village.
but Philadelphia suits people VINO ne
long 10 the Olu Auahfi as8sAt
You have a son, | believe, 10 per
petuate the name?' the paTHoh fehafh-
ed.
"One son=-an only child. Morton II
tWenty-four. and reading law IN NJ
Office. A bright fellow too never
gives me 4 moments uneasineBsi a.
ways at work steady-going: no boy
ish nonsense about him.
"Twenty-four." the parson repeated.
and no boylBh nonsense about MIN
There is a good deal of nonsense about
my boys, | am hap-sorfy 10 say. sun,
l hope they wont disgrace me- IheiT
mother thinks they are al right, ana l
am learning every day Of ny lie that
my wisdom. as compared with othefa.
Is beneath contempt. can hardly be
Ifeye you have a son tsentg=fonr why.
you are q spruce young man yourself.
Thanks 10 life free from excesses
of any kind said Mr. Leigh. And l
married early advocate an early
marriage, If n man has money enough
to support q family. This waiting 70
gcrape together a paltry income Il
terribly hard on a young man. Yes. |
married early. and have every reason
to believe that my son vii follow ny
example"
And when Is your boy to marry?e
asked the doctor.
"Oh II Is not quite arranged yet
so YOU arrange marriages In Phila=
delphia? And this particular marriage
il not quite arranged? Humphi ] don't
understand that sort of thing UP IN
the country It is, Mary. | love you.
and Jack. love you In return aud
then my services are called for. How
does one arrange a marriage In Phila=
delphia?"
The touch of sarcasm was quite lost
on Mr.. Leigh who had crossed his
legs. and Eat absorbed IN thought.
frowning at the patent leather tap OF
his neat shoe. His host watched him
until he unerossed his legs and looked
up,
Have you any daughters. doctor? he
asked.
Two of them"
Grown up?'
81 hope SO. otherwise they will tower
over my head"
And do you understand them.
asked Mr.. Leigh, with gravity that
made the parsons blue eyes twinkle
and the corners of his mouth twich.
"Oh, no. don't understand them;
don't understand any creature In petit
coats; but my daughters are good
girls, and their mother assures me
that they are remarkably gifted. What
do / want to understand them for?'
1T might be an advantage Under
some circumstances Mr.. Leigh re-
marked.
n - laH sal Do.