This was a mischievous abuse of the old poor-law times,
which made people dispose of every one's money save their own. He
had also been a keen sportsman; and though his son had given up
field sports in deference to higher notions of clerical duty (his
wife's, as people said), the old man's feeling prompted him to
severity on poachers. Frank Fordyce, while by far the most earnest,
hardworking clergyman in the neighbourhood, worked off his
superfluous energy on scientific farming, making the glebe and the
hereditary estate as much the model farm as Hillside was the model
parish. He had lately set up a threshing-machine worked by horses,
which was as much admired by the intelligent as it was vituperated
by the ignorant.
Neither paupers nor poachers abounded in Hillside; the natives were
chiefly tenants and employed on the property, and, between good
management and beneficence, there was little real want and much
friendly confidence and affection; and thus, in spite of surrounding
riots, Hillside seemed likely to be an exception, proving what could
he done by rightful care and attention. Nor indeed did the attack
come from thence; but the two parsons were bitterly hated by
outsiders beyond the reach of their personal influence and
benevolence.
It was on a Saturday evening, the day after Griff had come back for
the Christmas vacation, that, as Emily was giving Amos his lesson,
she saw that the boy was crying, and after examination he let out
that 'folk should say that the lads were agoing to break Parson
Fordy's machine and fire his ricks that very night;' but he would
not give his authority, and when he saw her about to give warning,
entreated, 'Now, dont'ze say nothing, Miss Emily--'
'What?' she cried indignantly; 'do you think I could hear of such a
thing without trying to stop it?'
'Us says,' he blurted out, 'as how Winslows be always fain of ought
as happens to the Fordys--'
'We are not such wicked Winslows as you have heard of,' returned
Emily with dignity; and she rushed off in quest of papa and Griff,
but when she brought them to the bookroom, Amos had decamped, and
was nowhere to be found that night.
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