THE MINISTER AND HIS MAN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1670, 26 April 1884, Page 2

THE MINISTER AND HIS MAN.

" I'm afraid (said Mr Lorraine) wo are behind the times, Solomon. We are both of us .becoming old, the young folks are growing up on every side. There's marrying and christening everywhere, and still we two remain alone. In a little while Solomon, wo shall bo called to. our account, without having known, either of us, the blessing that woman's love can give, or tho comfort that comes with the ■ cry of bairns." "Ye mind what St Paul said, sir?" said the other, doggedly, "and women are kittle kattle!" "I suppose that's good philosophy, but it's small'comfort, Solomon, my man. I think I' should havo been a bappior man if I had married," The sexton smilod increduously and shook his head; then, with as near an approach to a smile as his withered features' could command, he said slyly and sarcastically "It's never owre lato to men', sir. . You're a hale man yet, Lord kens; and three or four, I wot o' wad jist snap at ye! There's Miss Dalrymple o' the Mearnp, and the Weedow Burness, and __J> "No, no,.Solomon, 1 , said Mr Lorraine, laughing, "you over-rate my chances; and whether or iio, I'm far too old to try matrimony now*. But it is a lonesome lift, a lonesome life t Whenever I hear the schoolbairns crying in the street I onvy those.thafc havo little ones to dandle upon tho knee. I have o 'no Tnth or kin—nay, scarce a friend in all tho world." "Yo hae mo, sir,"" returned Solomon, in a low voice. "Not. that I wad liken* mysel' to a meenister and a scholar likeyoiirsel'; but I bad been your dork for nigh 30 years, and old acquaintance is kindly, like clean linen. Antweel, is it not better tp be a free man than to have a ■ scolding wife, or bairns that gang the« deil's road, like money i' the parish. And if you would take a gless noo an' then to cheer your heart, you'd find it a better comforter than tane or tither!" —" Annan Water," by Robert Buchanan.