A SPORTING PARSON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1460, 18 August 1883, Page 2

A SPORTING PARSON.

The.Rflv. Jack Ruseoll, better known as Parson' Jack' Russell, tfie last of the sporting parsons died recently at Home. Parson'Jack'Russell was a most remarkable .figure, and in the hunting field he shone conspicuously as a gallant rider and'.a ploasant companion, He was over welcome, and his company was eagerly sought after. He had a noble bearing, standing over 6 foet, and his looks did not belie him, for a truer-hearted and more generous man never lived. His love of field sports did not interfere with the discharge of his parochial duties and by his parishioners he was much beloved.

_ A capital story is related concerning him. IHe was'an old friend of the late Mr Gilbert, of the West of England Bank; and one day he called at the baik to see the manager. Mr Gilbert ha 4 to leave on business, and in" order .that his friqnd might have company he called one of the bank clerks, who was... •known as a very agreeable man, a. i tolerable smart athlete, and who mf' -fondiOf gymnastic feats; The y|fn|' fellow was left with 'Jack' and tolflto - as best he cqujd foranhW' ■ or so.-; At the expiration of the. tinto Mr Gilbert returned, but as he neared the'sweating-room' in which 'he-' had left the two he heard rapid Bteps and noises which he could not account for. On opening the door he soon saw what they proceeded from. "There was the bank clerk with his coat off, and the clork in holy orders with his, coat off, and they were having a splendid set-to with the gloves (Which the bank young man had handy).:' There they woie sparring away like clock-work.as Sam Weller has fy and the manager for some to one of the most extraordinary sceii(!s ; e# : \vitt - nessed in a bank parlor. The oldNltvine: was then approaching his four- '■— •score'years, but h*.wiis v . almost, jf not quite, a.match for,his active young companion.- ; .-. -