Horace Bleackley

“ Cassock to the young curate, “in virtue of her position, almost in the light of Squire of this parish, and I think it is our duty to please her as far as we can.”
“She’s a deu—— I mean, jolly pretty girl!” exclaimed the curate with enthusiasm. “I’d do anything in the world——”
“Ahem!” interrupted the rector, with a cough of disapproval, “I fear that sport does not flourish here as much as I should like. Hitherto I am afraid that my curates have been rather effeminate.” ”

“ The forthcoming cricket match between Miss Dolly Temple’s eleven and the Rev. Samuel Cassock’s parish club caused much interest and excitement in the district. Dolly’s young uncle, father of the irreverent Tommy, was intrusted with the task of raising her team. Unfortunately, volunteers had been so many and so talented that the side was a very formidable one. Every man in the neighbourhood who could handle a bat or bowl a ball was naturally anxious to come to the assistance of the pretty heiress. ”

“ Mr. Armstrong, our clergyman in Dorsetshire, was a splendid all-round athlete, and I am sure he was the most popular man in the county—especially with the poor people. Of course, when he gets older he will have to be content with looking on and encouraging other people—like you.”
“I was considered a free, hard-hitting bat some few years ago,” exclaimed Mr. Cassock, suddenly remembering that in spite of his bulk he was only forty-five.
“It is a noble game,” answered Dolly. “Papa was mad on it. We’ve a cricket ground in the park here, you know. ”

“ Athanasius and himself would have much contention!
“And how would you define,” he remarked, slowly and with priestly ambiguity, “doing one’s duty?”
“Making people happy,” returned pretty Dolly readily. “To me it does not seem enough to be merely self-righteous. One may spend one’s whole life in church services without doing any actual good.”
“A—ha! I agree with you, young lady,” cried the Rev. Mr. Cassock heartily. “That is the mistake poor Mr. Stole makes. Matins and evensong every day! What time does it leave for solid parish work?”
“Or amusements,” quoth Miss Dolly. ”

“ Johnny Trouncer remarked cheerfully. “Our schoolmaster is good for fifty runs every time he takes a bat in his hand in a match like this, and the grocer’s young hopeful is a demon when the wicket suits him.”
Mr. Cassock groaned at the remembrance.
“Besides,” continued the curate, “I’m not so bad myself!”
“That only makes three,” answered the rector.
“Ah, but I’ve got something up my sleeve, sir. A great surprise!” cried the Rev. Mr. Trouncer. “Old Hurdles is going to play for our team.”
“Hurdles!” said Mr. Cassock. “Who on earth is he?” ”

“ Cassock, after the curate had departed. “Dear Dolly is quite right. It is a clergyman’s duty to take the lead in field sports as well as in spiritual matters.”
During divine service the following Sunday, while the Rev. Athanasius Stole was reading the first lesson he became conscious that a very pretty girl was sitting in the front pew. Such occurrences did not usually attract the attention of the devout Athanasius, but as he immediately realised that the fair worshipper was Miss Dolly Temple, and as this was her first visit to his church, the recognition at such a time must be pardoned. ”

“ Of course, he was there about fifteen years before me, but he came down every summer term to play for the old boys, so I knew him well. Why, he was the best all-round man in the Oxford eleven in his day! He played for the Gentlemen half-a-dozen times, and twice against the Australians ten years ago. ”