Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-07-20
His Undesirable
Inheritance
A Clergyman's Efforts
to Get Rid Of 1t.
By BARBARA PHIPPs

antO the recCOry, maze vacant by his
predecessor, and he was in his study.
the furniture still disarranged strug-
Cling with his next Sundays sermon.
Mrs. Chiverly came up from the base
ment- She had been much worn by
moving and had struck the usual num-
Der of snags In that Irritating process.
Judging from her expression, she had
now come upon new one of the most
exasperating character.
"Well, my dear?" said the rector,
hooking up from his work inquiringly
and anxiously.
what do you suppose?"
II give it up
"The basement is full of empty bot
Ties"
what kind Of bottles?''
whisky bottles, brandy bottles gin
bottles, wine bottles, siphons-all kinds
of bottles that should never be in the
house of clergyman, especially one
who has preached total abstinence
Send them away" replied the rec
"What! Send them away! How
could that be done without publicity :?
And publicity you know very well
would result III an awful catastrophe
to us. The town would ring with your
condemnation. Your parishioners would
be obliged to condemn you, innocent or
guilty. Your resignation would be de-
manded."
Mr.. Cheverly was evidently moved
by such injustice.
"But, my dear, these bottles have not
been brought here by us. They were
left here by DR.. Parkinson. who has
just vacated the rectory."
mot by DR.. Parkinson alone, but by
number of his predecessors Quite
likely some incumbent needed a stimu-
liant and started the pile. The next
added to it. The next, being confront
ed by the problem now before us. took
no action, and so the tide of bottles
has been steadily rising Quite likely
1t started in the cellar. 1t has climbed
to the basement We cannot let it re.
main where it is, for we need the
room. Besides, if discovered it would
prove our ruin"
The rector cast his eyes up to the
ceiling for solution of the momen-
tous problem. He had been struggling
successfully with the ancient theolog-
ical problem of foreordination, but this
one of empty bottles staggered him.
"I'll tell you what you do,'' he said,
his expression lighting up-"get rid of
q few of them at time"
"How?'
ITO junkman."
"Have a junkman calling every few
days and seen by the neighbors carry
ing out empty bottles? Oh, James.
how impractical you are!"
"How would it do to box them up
and ask our grocer to call for them
Mr.. Wilkins is very kindly disposed to-
ward me. / will explain the matter to
him.
"And he will explain it to Mrs. Will
kins, and she will explain it to her
dearest friend, and the dearest friend
will spread it broadcast"
MI. Chiverly heaved sigh. His
wife continued:
"There is but one way out of 1t
They must be sent to another town tc
some intimate friend or relative OF
ours who will dispose of them without
risk to us. Your brother Edward
would be a good person to receive
them. Once in his hands, he can east
ly dispose of them. But we must pack
them SO that no one will suspect what
the cases contain
I'VE might put on them Glass; han
die with care"
"Oh, James! How stupid you are!"
at would give the impression that
they were tumblers and such things"
"Do you suppose our neighbors, who
are ever on the lookout, seeing these
boxes marked glass. would not at once
suspect"
"I'll order the cases sent, and next
Monday you can begin the packing"
Mr.. Chiverly heayed sigh that his
weekly day of ease after hard Sun
days work should be devoted to so I'M
attractive and laborious service, then
resumed his work on his sermon, while
his wife went out to continue the ar
ranging of the disordered furniture. IL
due time the cases arrived. Mr.. Chiy.
erly did the packing and the marking
and they were ready to be shipped A
wagon came to the door, the goods
were carried out, and Mr.. and Mrs
Chiverly fell into each others arms IL
transports of relief.
"Thank heayeny said Mr.. Chiverly
They're gone"
"Oh, James, you've no idea what q
load is lifted from my shoulders"
"Do you think any Of the neighbors
took notice."
"No; l was looking between the Stats
Of the window blinds and saw no ono
watching"
"Good. Edward will receive them
and dispose of them. And now must
settle down to my legitimate work
Please see that am not disturbed in
s,,y cfudv -