The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-08-17
!: His Undesirable
Inheritance
A CIergyman's Efforts
to Get Rid Of II.
By BARBARA PHIPPS


rather, his wife, had moved his effects
into the rectory, made vacant by his
predecessor, and he was In his study,
the furniture still disarranged, strug-
Cling with his next Sundays sermon.
Mrs. Chlverly 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 a new one of the most
exasperating character.
"well, my dearT said the rector,
looking up from his work inquiringly
and anxlously.
"What do you supposeT
Il give 1t up"
"The basement is full Of empty bot
Ties
what kind of bottlesT
"whisky bottles, brandy bottles, gin
bottles, wine bottles, siphons-all kinds
| of bottles that should never be In the
house of a clergyman, especially one
"Send them away" replied the rec.
= tor, turning again to his sermon.
/ "what! Send them away! How
could that be done without publicity 2
And publicity you know very well
would result in 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."
"Not by Dr. Parkinson alone, but by
a number of his predecessors. Quite
likely some incumbent needed 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
It started in the cellar. 1t has climbed
to the basement We cannot let 1t re
main where it is, for we need the
room. Besides, IL 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 Generalization, but this
one of empty bottles staggered him.
"Ill tell you what you do" he said
his expression lighting up-"get rid OF
few Of them at a time"
"How%
"To 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 1t do to box them uI
. and ask our grocer to call for them
Mr.. wilkins is very kindly disposed to
ward me. / will explain the matter t
him"
"And he will explain 1t TO Mrs. WI
kins. and she will explain it to hel
dearest friend, and the dearest FRIEND
will spread 1t broadcast"
Mr.. Chiverly heaved a sigh. HIS
: wife continued:
( ''There is but one way out or II
, They must be sent to another town u
|, some intimate friend or relative O
ours who will dispose of them withou
risk to us. Your brother Edwar'
would be a good person to receive
them. Once in his hands, he can easi
: ly dispose of them. But we must pacl
them so that no one will suspect wha
the cases contain"
1--WE might put on them Glass; han
die with care"
"Oh. James! How stupid you areP
att would give the impression tha
they were tumblers and such things"
$40 you suppose our neighbors, wh'
are ever on the lookout, seeing thes'
boxes marked glass, would not at one
, suspect%
an. order the cases sent, and mex
Monday you can begin the packing"
Mr.. Chiverly heaved a sigh that hi
weekly day of ease after a hard Sun
DAYS work should be devoted to so un
attractive and laborious a service, thei
resumed his work on his sermon, whil'
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. 4
wagon came to the door. the good
were carried out, and Mr.. and Mrs
Chiverly fell into each others arms. II
transports of relief.
"Thank heavenP said Mr.. Chiverly
They're gone"
"Oh, James. you've no idea what
load is lifted from my shoulders"
do you think any OF the neighbour
took noticeY
mo; | was looking between the Stat
Of the window blinds and saw no on
watching"
Good. Edward win receive then
Q and dispose OF them. And now mus
settle down to my legitimate work
|. Please see that l am not disturbed II
my study"
A month passed. One morning a
breakfast Mrs. Chiyerly remarked :
har husband that IL was strange the