The Village Smithy and the Village Cobbler had been the best of friends for many years. Smith had a daughter; Cobbler had a son, young, honest and manly, but, possessed of a roving, care-free nature that often led him o'er seas afar, and sometimes caused him to revel with the shifters of the village grog shop. The village parson had long loved Jennie, the Smith's daughter, in silence. So had Jack, the Cobbler's son. Jennie respected the parson, but her love was for Jack. One day Jack, who had been away before the mast for a long time, returned to the village in time to witness the parson in the act of proposing to Jennie. Nothing daunted. Jack made known his presence and proposed likewise. Jennie accepted Jack. That evening, Jack, having imbibed too freely at the tavern, was in his cups. The parson thereupon proved himself the man by keeping his erstwhile rival from the sight of his betrothed. For this kindness Jack promised never to drink again. The marriage took place with the parson officiating and the lucky young people knew naught of the heartache felt by him who had made them one.