That settled the question in the mind of the unhappy minister.  He said no more to any one on the subject of his income, or about leaving the parish.  But his mind was made up not to remain a single day, after his contract had expired.  If in debt at the time, as he knew he must be, he would free himself from the incumbrances by selling a part of his household furniture.  Meantime his liveliest fears were aroused for his wife, as symptom after symptom of a rapid decline, showed themselves.  That he did not preach as good sermons, nor visit as freely among his parishioners during the last three months of the time he remained at Y—­, is no matter of surprise.  Some, more considerate than the rest, excused him; but others complained, even to the minister himself.  No matter.  Mr. Carroll had too much at home to fill his heart to leave room for a troubled pulsation on this account.  He was conscience-clear on the score of obligation to his parishioners.

At last, and this before the year had come to its close, the drooping wife and mother took to her bed, never again to leave it until carried forth by the mourners.  We will not pain the reader by any details of the affecting scenes attendant upon the last few weeks of her mortal life; nor take him to the bed-side of the dying one, in the hour that she passed away.  To state the fact that she died, is enough—­and painful enough.

For all this, it did not occur to the people of Y—­that, in anything they had been lacking.  They had never given but three hundred a year to a minister, and, as a matter of course, considered the sum as much as a reasonable man could expect.  As for keeping a clergyman in luxury, and permitting him to get rich; they did not think it consistent with the office he held, which required self-denial and a renouncing of the world.  As to how he could live on so small a sum, that was a question rarely asked; and when presented, was put to rest by some backhanded kind of an answer, that left the matter as much in the dark as ever.

Notwithstanding the deep waters of affliction through which Mr. Carroll was required to pass, his Sabbath duties were but once omitted, and that on the day after he had looked for the last time upon the face of his lost one.  Four Sabbaths more he preached, and then, in accordance with notice a short time previously given, resigned his pastoral charge.  There were many to urge him with great earnestness not to leave them; but a year’s experience enabled him to see clearer than he did before, and to act with greater decision.  In the hope of retaining him, the vestry strained a point, and offered to make the salary three hundred and fifty dollars.  But much to their surprise, the liberal offer was refused.

It happened that the Bishop of the Diocese came to visit Y—­a week before Mr. Carroll intended taking his departure with his motherless children, for his old home, where a church had been offered him in connexion with a school.  To him, three or four prominent members of the church complained that the minister was mercenary, and looked more to the loaves and fishes than to the duty of saving souls.