The Argosy — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

366 A Parson’s Flitting. solemn remembrance that so much of life has been done with; so many scenes in this ‘‘strange, eventful history” played out ; and we > ourselves so changed from what we were. I was alone in the empty house. The furniture was miles away ; the servants had beds elsewhere, and a humble neighbour had kindly provided a few things to enable me to pass the night. No wonder the heathen philosopher was perplexed at beholding the number of articles he did zof want. A travelling trunk for a table; a stable bucket fora seat ; the neck of a bottle to fix the candle, and a walking-stick to poke the fires What needed I more for the sitting-room? and the bed-room furniture was also primitive. The worry and excitement of the day were over, and the strange feeling succeeded of lying down to rest in one’s own house for the last time. To pass freely in and out of the front door one day ; and to know that on the next there would be the formality of knock and ring, and no admittance except on business. ‘To walk once more about the pleasant gardens ; to look at the budding trees and shrubs, many of which I had planted and watched with increasing interest. To remember that a stranger would know nothing of incidents which made them doubly dear to me; blended as they are with the history of one who passed from my quiet household to the quieter churchyard close by. But I must be up and away : neither my Kentish pony nor my man of Kent will brook delay. The boxes are packed in the village cart ; my affectionate dog, the faithful companion of years, lingers with-some- thing of human instinct over his caresses to those at the gate. We pass the venerable church; and sportive children on their way to school: it seems but yesterday that I held them in my arms; we cross the rushing stream, and then I have left my parish and pastorate behind for ever. A kind friend connected with the railway had taken care that I should have one of the newest and best vans for my horse; and the adjoining compartment I cushioned and made as comfortable as a first-class carriage. Thus, with the dog at my feet, and the pony’s head within a few inches, when I drew back a convenient slide, we were whirled through the pleasant pastures of Kent and Surrey. Animals are like children: when they are shut up in a railway carriage “they must eat or they will cry;” and when the novelty of the situa- tion had worn off I found enough to do in attending to my four-footed friends. ‘The largest vans; the newest appliances; the readiest delivery.” I had found the first two declarations must be understood in a Pick- wickian sense; but I was repeatedly assured that within forty-eight hours the goods would be at the threshold of my new home. Alas! like the credulous Cowper, I became the ‘‘dupe of to-morrow.” As we entered my fresh parish, one of the prettiest in the midland counties, the beautiful bells gave me a cheerful welcome and “ Merrie sange the Gomichbooks. Go