CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. —The Lap of Peace 1
II. —Fairy Faith 6
III. —The Lych-Gate 12
IV. —Nicie 19
V. —A Fair Bargain 28
VI. —Doctors Three 37
VII. —R. I. P. 48
VIII. —The Potato-Field 57
IX. —The Narrow Path 66
X. —In Charge 73
XI. —At the Charge 80
XII. —A Fool's Errand 87
XIII. —The Law of The Land 101
XIV. —Reasoning without Reason 109
XV. —Friends and Foes 118
XVI. —Little Billy 128
XVII. —Camelias 139
XVIII. —Concussion 149
XIX. —Percussion 161
XX. —Discussion 172
XXI. —Blackmarsh 184
XXII. —Fireship and Galleon 197
XXIII. —A Magic Letter 211
XXIV. —A Wager 225
XXV. —A Sermon in Stone 241
XXVI. —The Old Mill 252
[Pg iv]XXVII. —Panic 263
XXVIII. —Vagabonds 277
XXIX. —Two Puzzles 291
XXX. —Frankly Speaking 300
XXXI. —A Great Prize 311
XXXII. —Pleadings 321
XXXIII. —The Schoolmaster Abroad 331
XXXIV. —Loyalty 341
XXXV. —A Wrestling Bout 352
XXXVI. —A Fighting Bout 363
XXXVII. —Gentle as a Lamb 374
XXXVIII. —An Inland Run 384
XXXIX —Needful Returns 394
XL —Home and Foreign 406
XLI —The Pride of Life 416
XLII —His Last Bivouac 426
XLIII —Two Fine Lessons 435
XLIV —And One still Finer 445
CHAPTER I. THE LAP OF PEACE.
In the year 1835, the Rev. Philip Penniloe was Curate-in-charge of Perlycross, a village in a valley of the Blackdown Range. It was true that the Rector, the Rev. John Chevithorne, M.A., came twice every year to attend to his tithes; but otherwise he never thought of interfering, and would rather keep his distance from spiritual things. Mr. Penniloe had been his College-tutor, and still was his guide upon any points of duty less cardinal than discipline of dogs and horses.
The title of "Curate-in-charge" as yet was not invented generally; but far more Curates held that position than hold it in these stricter times. And the shifting of Curates from parish to parish was not so frequent as it is now; theological views having less range and rage, and Curates less divinity. Moreover it cost much more to move.
But the Curate of Perlycross was not of a lax or careless nature. He would do what his conscience required, at the cost of his last penny; and he thought and acted as if this world were only the way to a better one. In this respect he differed widely from all the people of his parish, as well as from most of his Clerical brethren. And it is no little thing to say of him, that he was beloved in spite of his piety.
