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Updated: September 12, 2025
"Are you Jake June's hired man, the wrestler?" the shoe-maker asked, after Douglas had told him the purpose of his visit. "Yes, that's who I am," was the reply. "But how in the world did you hear about our wrestling match?" "Oh, news travels fast in Rixton, especially if Empty Dempster is the carrier."
He received a hearty welcome, and felt very much at home as he sat by the professor's side and told him about his visit to the city, and of his return to Rixton just in time to see Ben's plunge into the frog-pond. Nell's face grew white and a startled expression came into her eyes as Douglas related what the men of the place had done that night.
Simon Stubbles was very angry at what had taken place the previous evening. He was troubled, as well, over his financial difficulties, for he knew that if he could not raise the ten thousand dollars he was a ruined man. Even now he was aware that his influence in Rixton was waning, and what would it be if the crash should come?
Oh, no, I guess ye won't git very fer with Hen Hawkins, even though he is a J.P." Douglas said nothing more about the affair just then, though what he had heard made him more determined than ever. He was learning more and more what a grip Simon Stubbles had over Rixton, and this added to the spirit of adventure which thrilled his soul.
Had any one told Douglas a month ago that he would be deep in love after he had been in Rixton a couple of weeks, he would have laughed him to scorn. His idea of wandering from place to place and living just for self had suddenly taken flight. To him life seemed desolate apart from Nell Strong. He could not understand the feeling, and he did not try to analyse it.
"Oh, I shall drop in on you one of these days when you're least expecting me." "Are you going far away?" "Merely to Rixton." "Rixton!" Mr. Garton exclaimed. "Yes, why not? Some one must go there." "Do you know anything about the place?" "Very little. I have been told that it is a hard parish, and that the last rector was forced to leave." "I should say it is.
"Is it hard to decide?" the lawyer asked, noting his hesitation and preoccupied air. "Yes, it is. I wish to do what is fair. The tempter's advice is to get even now for the injury that has been done. But a nobler voice bids me to rise above such a feeling and do nothing in the spirit of revenge, but merely for the welfare of Rixton." "But should not the Stubbles be taught a severe lesson?
Have you any idea?" "It is somewhat of a puzzle to me," Garton replied. "It really should be an ideal parish, for nearly all of the people belong to our Church. Mr. Stubbles himself is a member, and senior warden, so I believe." "You know him, then?" "Yes, in a way. I have had some business dealings with him, and incidentally I have talked with him about Church affairs at Rixton.
He is greatly concerned about the spiritual welfare of Rixton, and is most anxious that a suitable clergyman should be sent there. He is quite willing to contribute liberally if the right man is found." "Why did the last one leave?" Douglas asked. "He was not big enough for the work, so I learned from the brief conversation I had with Mr. Stubbles.
I wish to diagnose that parish and find out what is the trouble. There is a serious disease of some kind there, and unless I know what it is before taking charge I may make all kinds of mistakes, and thus render the work much more difficult. If, in this way, I can accomplish my object and do good to the people of Rixton, I cannot see how I shall be taking a mean advantage of them.
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