The Argosy — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Village Blacksmith. 5 “‘Ts the meeting over, then?” said Reuben. . ‘Yes; but master don’t feel equal to a ride. I expect Mrs. Canter has been too much for him.” Reuben stifled a laugh, for his sympathies were with his sister; the groom’s, as he knew, with his master. ‘‘T have not seen you up at the chapel yet, Mark,” said Reuben. “No, Mr. Foreman,” replied the groom, scratching his head; “you see it might cost me my place if master heard of it. Having married a Papist himself he 1s forced to be extra particular that none of his household don’t go running after strange preachers. Not but what I believe that the truth lies with you, Mr. Foreman,” con- tinued Mark. ‘Only you know how I am situated. I have got a good place and a good master, good wages, and, though I say it that shouldn’t, a good character; and a man who is thinking of marrying don’t want to lose any of them.” ‘Better lose them all and save your soul, Mark,” said Reuben, with a significant glance at the furnace. ‘Better still to save my soul and keep them all; but I'll bear your words in mind, Mr. Foreman. I hope Miss Janet is pretty well?” ‘Quite well, thank you,” said Reuben shortly ; adding to himself as the groom rode off: “ And if it is my Janet you are after, you'll wamt a wife for many a long day, I can tell you.” Six o’clock! A fact duly announced by one or two mill-horns, several clocks, and by the angelus bell which rang out from the convent close by. Reuben shook his head at this last sound and raked viciously at his fire, wishing he could burn the convent, if not the nuns, in its flames, before he proceeded to close his smithy for the night. Then he took a small Bible from his pocket and read as he walked slowly up the steep path which led to his cottage on the top of the opposite bill. As he ascended, his thoughts rose heavenward. During the day they were apt to dwell on earthly things and the dark side of his religion ; but when he had left his forge and the vivid picture of the place of punishment it suggested behind him, he turned to the bright side of his gospel. That heaven was his home, towards which he was surely travelling, certain of admittance, he had as little doubt as that the earthly home to which he was going was a heaven now open to receive him; and on this he would have wagered a week’s earnings had he been a betting man. He would, therefore, not have been more surprised, if, on reaching the gate of heaven, St. Peter had declined or hesitated to open it than he was on reaching his cottage to find it was locked up. Janet had evidently not yet returned though Reuben was quite at a loss to account for her absence ; it was so exceedingly unlike her to keep him waiting. As a rule his tea was always waiting his return, Janet at the door to receive him. GOnnGaoOo SS CO