The Argosy — page 322: what you’re looking at

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

393 SIR CECIL’S RIVAL. I. HE Hon. and Rev. Augustus Fordyce meeting with the pre- ferment that befitted his noble family connections, if not his talents, the parish of St. Jude’s, Briarford, was left for some time without a vicar. The vacant living was finally accepted by the Reverend Frederick Spenser, who came down at once to inspect his future sphere of labour, and who as quickly delivered himself of a few sentiments without reserve. Before the new incumbent had been four-and-twenty hours in the parish, every soul knew that serious changes were impending. ‘‘ The truth is, there is so much to be done that I hardly know where to begin,” explained Mr. Spenser with the most engaging candour, as, propping his back against a high painted pew, he glanced over the church from east to west, from roof to pavement, in his quick, decided manner. If the newly-appointed vicar did not know where to begin, it was clear that he did not know where to end. But at last a day came, when the church had been half rebuilt and wholly refurnished, and he himself entered at the tail of some twenty or thirty little white- robed boys, that the soul of the Reverend Frederick Spenser knew peace. It was a pleasing spectacle, but that did not dispose of the awkward problem of the unsettled bill of all these pretty things. Mr. Spenser addressed himself to the difficulty with his characteristic energy, and with the aid of his adherents, who were many and warm, he soon cleared off the greater portion of the debt. Undisguised begging in the form of a subscription list in the first place, and in the second a concert given by amateur musicians, zealous but incom- petent, had effected this; and it was now proposed to wipe off the remaining incubus of debt by the proceeds of a bazaar. Theweather favoured the scheme. Lovelier day never dawned than that twentieth of June, the appointed date. While still early, all the town of Briarford and half the county were pouring in and out of the mimic fair. Midway through the afternoon a fresh arrival in the hall attracted some attention. ‘This was Sir Cecil Thorpe, who, upon attaining his majority some six or seven years back, had come into one of the finest estates in the county. Where fortune has bestowed her smiles, there the world will also lavish its favour; so now, upon Sir Cecil’s approach, bright faces grew brighter, grim lips relaxed, and anxious brows smoothed. The stall-holders exerted themselves to good purpose; for at first it seemed as though a veritable goose laying golden eggs had come to the sacrifice. But COMICOOOKS.CO