Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ... 260 A CHAPTER XXVI. WHICH INTRODUCES TWO NEW CHARACTERS, AND TELLS OF PARSON HILL'S TROUBLES. A T the time the bells of Lawsleigh were so un-*-*- ceremoniously stopped, Parson Hill was riding across the moor, and after a second or two of doubt and listening, he checked his horse, and sat quietly waiting to hear the peal resume its broken strain. When he was convinced the ringing would not be resumed, he let his horse walk slowly on as he said to himself, "What can be the matter?--umph!--a bellrope broken; and yet that is not to be expected, for there is no stint of new ropes, for the men take good care to apply to me the holder of ' the bell-rope pightel, ' and keep their gear in good order;" and, after a pause, he resumed, " Now, if this has happened through any misconduct on the part of Isaac Watson, I will--I really do think I will show him no mercy!" And he put his horse into a trot, and pressed his lips firmly together, as he recalled the fact that Isaac had actually visited at Mary Cope's cottage when in a state of intoxication; and even granting that his visit was to Susan Picard--which he did not doubt--he still objected to such companionship for Mary. Parson Hill eventually went on at a quicker pace. As a rule, he was extremely well-informed of all things happening in his parish, yet he rarely, if ever, searched into causes for this or that, but patiently waited until by ordinary means the subject was brought before him. And in this case, though he did not dismiss from his mind the fact of the bells coming thus suddenly to a stop, he lost no time in conjecture, but, to use his own expression, allowed his mind " to steady itself," by remembering it was best to let occurrences unfold, or settle themselves without interference on...