"By the way,Mr.Wilson,in regard to the rent ----""I regret being so much in arrears,Squire Hadley,"said the minister uncomfortably;"but really it is a very perplexing problem to make my salary cover the necessary expenses of my family.I hope in a few weeks to be able to pay something."Don't trouble yourself,my dear sir,"said the Squire genially."You must find it difficult,I am sure.I find,by my books,that you are owing me six months'rent.""I am afraid it is as much as that,"said Mr.Wilson,sighing.
"And I am going to help you to pay it."
The minister looked at his guest in surprise.Squire Hadley took out his pocket book,and drew there-from four ten dollar bills.
"Mr.Wilson,"said he,"I make you a present of this,and now,perhaps,you will be able to pay me the rent due --thirty seven dollars and a,half,I think the exact amount is.""My good friend,"said the minister,almost overcome,"how can Ithank you for this generosity?"
"By paying me my rent,"said the Squire smiling."I am very particular to have that paid promptly.If you will furnish me with writing materials I will write you a receipt.Now,Mr.Wilson,"he added,as he rose to go,"I am going to ask you a favor.""Only mention it,my friend."
"Let this little transaction be a secret between us."It is hard to promise that;I should like to speak to others of your goodness.If Isay nothing about it,it will seem ungrateful.""If you do mention it,you will get me into hot water.""How is that?"inquired the minister,in some perplexity.
"The fact is my wife is very frugal,and just a leetle stingy.She can't help it,you understand.Her father was pretty close fisted.She wouldn't approve of my giving away so much money,and might remonstrate.""Yes,I understand,"said the minister,who knew,as all the village did,that Mrs.Hadley was quite as close fisted as her lamented father.
"So we had better say nothing about it."
"I can tell my wife?"
"Yes,you may tell her,for it may relieve her from anxiety.Of course she won't mention it.""You are a firm friend,Squire Hadley,"said Mr.Wilson,grasping the hand of his parishioner cordially."You are one of those who do good by stealth,and blush to find it fame.""No,I ain't,"said Squire Hadley bluntly;"I should be perfectly willing to have all my good deeds known if it was not for Mrs.
Hadley.And that reminds me,I would willingly paint the house for you if she did not object.""That is not of so much consequence;but the roof does leak badly,and troubles my wife a good deal."That ought to be fixed,"said the Squire."How shall I manage it?"He reflected a moment,and his face brightened with a new idea.
"I'll tell you what,Mr.Wilson,we must use a little strategy.You shall see a carpenter,and have the roof repaired at your own expense.""Mr.Wilson's countenance fell."I fear ----"he commenced.
"But I will repay you whatever it costs.How will that do?""How kind you are,Squire Hadley!"
"It is only what I ought to do,and would have done before if I had thought how to manage it.As Mrs.Hadley will wonder how you raised the money,I will say you had a gift from a friend,and that I told you to repair the house at your own expense."A few days later Mrs.Hadley came home in some excitement.
"Mr.Hadley,"said she,severely,"I find that the minister's house is being new shingled.""Is it?"asked her husband indifferently.
"This is the way you waste your money,is it?""What have I to do with it?If Mr.Wilson chooses to shingle the house at his own expense,I am perfectly willing.""Didn't you order it done?"inquired his wife,in amazement.
"Certainly not.The minister spoke of it when he paid the rent,and I told him he could do it at his own expense if he chose to.""That's just what you ought to have said.But I don't understand where the minister finds the money,if he is so poor as you say he is.""I understand that he has received a gift of money from a friend,"said the diplomatic Squire.
"I didn't know he had any friend likely to give him money.Do you know who it is?""He didn't tell me,and I didn't inquire,"answered the Squire,pluming himself on his strategy.
"Was it a large sum?"
"I don't think it was."
"I wish his friend had given him enough to pay for painting the house,too.""Why?The house wouldn't be any warmer for painting,"said the Squire slyly.
"It would look better."
"And so minister to his vanity."
"You seem to be very stupid this morning,"said Mrs.Hadley,provoked.
"I am only repeating your own observations,my dear.""If Mr.Wilson can afford to paint the house,I am in favor of his doing it;but I don't think you have any call to pay for it.The house will be better property if it is newly painted.""Then don't you think I ought to do it,Lucretia?""No,I don't,"said Mrs.Hadley sharply.
"I think myself,"said the wily Squire,"considering the low rate at which the minister gets the house,he could afford to put on one coat of paint at his own expense.I have a great mind to hint it to him.""You'd better do it,Mr.Hadley,"said his wife approvingly.
"I will;but perhaps he won't look at it in the same light."Within a week the painters were at work on the parsonage.The coat of paint improved its appearance very much.I suspect the bill was paid in the same way as the shingling;but this is a secret between the minister and Squire Hadley,whose strategy quite baffled his wife's penetration.
