Year: 1873

who was very different from the conven-
tional idea of a priest, being tall, thin,
and delicate-looking man with stoop
though he was still young, and much
given to study. He lived in an age
which has long passed away, yet he was
behind it, for he held most antiquated
opinions upon the obedience which is duo
from wives to their husbands, and SEEM
ed to consider that what st. Paul had
said upon the subject had to be taken in
IFS strictest sense, thatno allowance could
be made for the changes which had taken
place in the manners and customs Of diff
ferent nations, but that all infringement
Of the rules laid down by the apostle for
the guidance of those in the holy state
were sinful.


lie found his exhortations treated with
unbecoming levity, and thereupon be-
came, of course, more and more and more
earnest upon the subject, till at last he
laid rather too much stress upon this one
offence, to the overlooking Of others
But he did not become unpopular on this
account-rather the reverse for the men
naturally felt great respect for the pastor
who pleaded their cause so eloquently,
and impressed upon their wives that sub
mission to their will was the first aud
most solemn duty while the women
were glad to have the slight attention
paid to other sins of which they wero
ashamed, and the full vials of clerical
wrath poured out upon one which they
had tho consolation of feeling was shared
by their entire sex.


But that which most vexed the good
cure was the boRhommie with which
some Of the husbands among his parish
toner's submitted to the rule of their
wives, and the blind infatuation which
caused others who were equally tame to
fancy that their will was law, and that
the very women who led them by the
noses were their devoted slaves.


Provoked by these last especially, he
one day addressed his congregation after
the sermon, thus, " My garden has been
remarkably fruitful this year, especially
in peas. Magnificent peas they are--tho
best have yet seen, and | here offer
prize Of as many peas rs he can carry
away with him to any married man who
can make it clear to me that he is not un-
der subsection to his wife"


Peas were valuable, the parishionors of
st. Opportune We're poor, and, as rule,
confident in their marital supremacy, so


hat there were many applicants for the
prize. But the cure, trained by the du-
ties Of the confessional, was n keen hand
at eross-examination, and under his home
thrusts and pertinent questions, claim af-
ter claim was upset and the candidates
sent away abashed and discomhtcd.


AT last came a porter, an obstinate,
sturdy fellow, who was confident that he
at least had tho whiphand of his wife,
The cure questioned him closely, but all
his answers were straightforward and
satisfactory. Even upon the rock which
had upset the pretensions Of many who
had seemed in a fair way to land safely,
the wine-shop, he did not split. No, he
went to the wine-shop, or he stayed at
home ; got drunk, or kept sober, just as
he pleased. His wife had not word to
say to it.


" Well" said the cure, 81 am glad
that | have one man in my parish who
knows how to be master in his own
house. Come tomorrow morning and
get your peas"


So the next day the porter came to the
cures house with a small sack, which he
began to fill.


"You should have brought a larger
one" said the cure.


" Well, now," said the porter, pausng
in his task, I" should have done so, only
my wife would not let me-"


LA ~ cried the cure, "lot my peas
alone, my man."