The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-06-07

/
persuasion, the coy traGesmon sent in
their bills, not to ask for payment, but
| pledges, as it were, of their confidence
IN my honor and solvency. After two
or three efforts in addition (com-
pound) that brought each time vary
ing results, | arrived at the conclusion
that / owed nearly GS00. Ny fathers
words required to me, not by any
means for the first time, and / set my
self to wondering how l could earn it.
Llterature-the writing of successful
novel that should accomplish the
whole matter as by the magic of a
tairy's wand was the first idea that
presented itself, as l believe it does to
very many others under similar cir
cumstaucos. l dismissed the thought
as impracticable. A brighter one sue
ceeded ! would get tutDrship.
Many men of my acquaintance
had done so. Certainly they were
usually honors men, and not heirs to
baronetcies and ten or twenty thous-
and year. But might seek one in
the guise of an ordinary A. b., and
none need know that my prospects in
life pointed to the possession of n very
old title, and farspreading estates in
two western counties, not to mention
n street in Mayfair and a house in
Belgrayia
But You will want testimonials, and
that sort of things, you know" said
Hatfield, of Balliol with whom l was
discussing my plans over a cigar.
"Grantham my coach, will manage
that for me, have no doubt" l an
swered.
well, if you get any decent thing,
or keep it for two months, I'm in for a
plough, he observed.
Bearing these words in mind, it was
with feeling of justi6abe pride that,
a few mornings after, / carried some
half dozen letters in my hand to his
room, where | was going to breakfast
/ had called at the Union, on my way
to look at the letter-rack; and / must
confess to feeling of considerable
surprise when | beheld there sundry
missives bearing the mystic initials /
had adopted in my advertisement in
the Guardian.
"By return of post, too !" inwardly
exclaimed. Parents must take the
bait very easily, or tutors must be
scarce" hurried away, as l was late
without opening them. reserving this
pleasing task for Hatlield's room and
presence.
as it dun that l see before me ?"
cried that gentleman as | entered, let
tiers in hand
Behold the triumphs of advertising
and education = l rejoined, showing
the letters in triumph.
Alas they were all circulars from
, agents who would be happy to place
X. Q.'s name on their registers, &c.
| looked rather blank, as l had no
fancy for prosecuting my search after
employment in this manner.
"There is no harm in it. you know,
said Hatfield; "but of course, unless
man is all honors, he cannot pick
and choose, and You must take what
they send you, or get nothing at all. -
But l was not reduced to this; for
Grantham, to whom J. had confided
. my plan, called at my rooms during
the day, aud offered solution Of the
difficulty.
eff You are really in earnest about
this, | think [ know of a thing that
will exactly suit you. 1t is to prepare
ayoung fellow for Oxford. They want
man who is n gentleman, up to the
| work, and fond of country sports
/ hunting, &c. But what would your
, father say to your taking private tu-
torship? Does he know of your
/ plan?'
t ut is the result of an agreement be-
, tween us respecting my running into
debt" | explained. Il shall write and
tell him what | have done when have
/ undertaken an engagement
But, if Sir Grahame objects, would
: you throw place mp ?"
! "He would not allow me to act dis
t honorably," | answered; "and were ]
: engaged l must accept the consequent
{ ces. ="
Every well; if you are determined
I to risk it, | can offer you a tutorshir
/ in the family of General Gawstor
Flats, Norfolk, whore you will have
5 one pupil to look after, be resident in
t the house, and receive salary at the
t rate of ESQ year. They are in want
of man Immediately"
1 | caught at the bait, and in return
it caught me. My father, to whom
I wrote at once, to communicate my
/ having entered into this engagement
!. replied that, had he been consulted
f prior to my binding myself, he would
not have consented to such plan; but
I that now, as the engagement was al
+ ready formed, must fulfil it; at al
e events, until another tutor could be
f found. l had been imprudent in not
4 accepting "a situation betting my
S station; but / must now abide by i'm
l prudence, &c.
t There was one thing in favor of my
concealing my real position in hf'
while at Gawston Flats. My father
G once Sir Grahame Luxton, had sever
= al years before assumed the additional
G name of Penn eston on coming into {
: large property, left by distant rela
/ tive, on the condition of his taking the
I 4 -