PETERSON'S MAGAZINE.
VOL LV.
PHILADELPHIA , FEBRUARY , 1869 . No. 2 .
THE YOUNG RECTOR.
BY ELLA RODMAN.
I MIGHT have known it would rain , because it always did rain when I put on anything new; and my white suit, on which I had expended several days' hard work, had its first airing on the morning of the Sunday to which my story refers.
The present fashions are very hard on a young woman of limited means, with a constitutional aversion to sewing ; but when all those little ruffles were securely attached to their proper places, and the sacque had received its last stitch ; while the hat, of white drawn muslin to match, was really a triumph of art, I twisted up a knot of cherry-colored ribbon for a necktye, and felt assured that even a Frenchwoman would approve of my toilet.
Alec, my favorite brother and coadjutor, who had quite an eye for ladies' dress, was in an ecstasy at my appearance ; and I am afraid that it was owing to this, rather than to any devotional spirit, that he so readily accepted my invitation to go to church in the evening. But how much better was I? If all my feelings had been brought to light, what would have proved the real motive that had taken me to church in the evening, a time when I particularly disliked to go, but that whisper of Sarah Dellert's after morning service ?
"Be sure, " she said, " to come to church this evening, we are to have a change for once, my dear ; Mr. Rale is to preach - think of it !"
This same Sarah Dellert was a black- eyed witch, who had only to look on a man to make him her slave ; and fully aware of this, she usually spoke of every new arrival in advance as her own peculiar property. Mr. Rale had a parish in a neighboring town ; he was young, good-looking, and unmarried ; he had, moreover, the gifts of eloquence and popularity ; and wherever he went, a large number of young girls were always found among the congregation. Miss Sarah, who had lately been on a visit to the town where he lived, drove her admirers almost to despair by her very frank enthusiasm for Mr. Rale ; and when some one suggested that it would require a great deal of courage to marry so popular a man, she exclaimed laughingly,
"If Mr. Rale should suddenly send me word to be at church to-morrow morning at six o'clock, for the purpose of marrying him, I'd be there at five!”
Now this was all very well for Sarah Dellert, whose title to belleship no one could question ; but it might not answer for lesser mortals. So I resolved to keep my emotions to myself, and endeavor, outwardly, at least, to preserve my composure.
It was the last of the season- nearly the middle of September ; but a "warm spell" had revived summer dresses and summer feelings ; and my whole suit looked particularly fresh and pretty, with just a hint of autumn in the bright- colored ribbon . Perhaps I did not walk up the aisle quite unconsciously ; and I waited with much interest for the appearance of the clergymen in the chancel.
The bell stopped tolling, and people looked expectant ; but no Mr. Rale. What could it mean? Neighbors glanced at each other and whispered ; watches were consulted ; and every one knew that it was considerably past the hour for service. Presently Mr. Hydrake, who never lost an opportunity of making himself conspicuous, took his station near the reading- desk and observed,
"It seems, my friends, that we are not likely to have any service this evening, if we depend on the clergy, and I have, therefore, been requested to read——"
At this moment , puffing and blowing from over exertion, our worthy Dr. Short proceeded up the aisle alone, and disappeared through the vestry-door. A general smile passed around
