The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-07-07
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. Chiverly came up from the base.
ment She had been much worn by
moving and had struck the usual mum
Der OF snags in that irritating process
Judging from her expression. she had
now come upon new one Of the most
exasperating character
swell. my dear?" said the rector.
looking up from his work inquiringly
and anxiously.
What do you supposed"
Il give 1t up"
1.-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.
tor, turning again to his sermon.
what! Send them away! How
could that be done without publicity?
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 DIR. Parkinson. who has
just vacated the rectory."
"Not by DR.. Parkinson alone. but by
a 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
it started in the cellar. 1t has climbed
to the basement We cannot let 1t re
main where II Is, for we need the
room. Besides. If discovered it would
prove our ruin"
The rector cast his eyes up to the
ceiling for a solution Of the mOmen
tous problem. He had been struggling
successfully with the ancient theolog
zeal problem Of Generalization. but this
one of empty bottles staggered him.
I'll tell you what you do" he said
his expression lighting uD-"get rid OF
q few OF them at time"
How"
ITO junkman."
"Havr n 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 up
and ask our grocer to call for themi
Mr. wilkins Is very kindly disposed TO
ward me. I will explain the matter to
him."
"And he will explain 1t to Mrs. VIII
kins, and she will explain 1t to her
dearest friend, and the dearest friend
Will spread IL DfOaucaSL
Mr.. Chiverly heaved sigh His
wife continued:
There Is but one way out OF IL
They must be sent to another town to
some intimate friend or relative OF
ours who will dispose Of them without
risk to US. Your brother Edward
would be good person TO receive
them. Once i'm his hands. he can east
" 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!
ut would give the impression thai
they were tumblers and such things
DO YOU suppose our neighbors. who
are ever on the lookout. seeing thes"
boxes married glass. would not at once
I'm order the cases sent. and next
Monday you can begin the packing.
Mr.. Chiverly heaved Il sigh that his
weekly day Of ease after II hard Sun
DAVIS work should he devoted TO so IN
attractive and labOri0gs Il service. then
resumed his work on his sermon. while
his wife went out to continue the ar
ranging Of the disordcred furniture. III
due time the cases arrived Mr. Chiv
erly did the packing and the marking
and they were ready to- be shipped. \
wagon came to the door, the goods
were carried out. and Mr.. and Mrs
Chiverly fell into each others arms IN
of relief.
Thank heaven!7 said Mr.. Chiveriy
They're gone"
"Oh. James. you've no idea what o
load Is lifted from my shoulders"
do you think any Of the neighbors
took notice."
NO: was looking between the Stats
of the window blinds and saw no one
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
my study"
A month passed. One morning AT
breakfast Mrs Chiverly remarked t.
her husband that IL was strange they
had heard nothing from his brother