Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-08-20

reach the whole length of a. subject
while enthusiastic friends, with mis-
taken kindness, looked on in breath
,lcss silence, and encouraged mo with
smiling glanccs Of imaginary pats on
the back, as l turned toward them
with a sivkly smile of recognition
and a hollow prctcnso Of being quite
ut my case.
But the time came when all these
ordeals had been safely passed, and l
was going to "put on my gown" next
degree day. So went round to col
lcct my various bills, determined to
be busincss-likc, and to arrive ut an
exact knowledge of my position. Af
ter some persuasion, the coy trades
man sent in their bills, not to ask for
payment: but pledges as it were of
their confidence in my honor and
solvcncy. After two or three efforts
in addition (compound) that brought
each time varying results, l arrived
at the conclusion that owed nearly
eight hundred pounds.
! Ny fathers words required to nc,
not by any means for the first time,
and l sat myself to wondering how l
could earn it. Iiteraturc-the wri-
ting Of successful novel that should
accomplish the whole matter as by
the magic Of a G;,iry's wand-was the
first idea that presented Itself, as |
believe is done to very many others
under similar circumstances. I dis
missed the thought as impracticablc.
A brighter one succeeded. l would
get a tutor-ship. Many Of nv ac-
quaintanccs had done so. Certainly
they were usually honors men, and
not heirs to baronetcics and ten or
twenty thousand year. But I
might seek one in the guisc Of an
ordinary B. A., and mono need know
that my prospects in life pointed to
the possession Of an old title, and far
spreading estates in two western
countries, not to mention q street in
Mayfair and a house in Bclgravia.
"But you will want testimonials and
that sort Of thing, you know" said
Hatfield of Bafol, with whom L was
discussing my plans over a cigar.
"Grantham, my coach, will manage
that for me, I have no doubt" I on.
swcrcd.
"Wcll, if you get any decent thing,
or keep it for two months, I'm in for
a plow," he observed.
Bearing these words in mind, it
was with feeling Of .justifiable pride
that, few mornings after, l carried
some half a dozen letters in my hand
to his room, when I was going to
breakfast. / had called at the Union
on my way to look ut the lcttcrrack;
and [ must confess to feeling of
considerable surprise when I behcld
there sundry missives bearing tho
mystic initials l had adopted in my
advertisement in the Guardian.
"By return Of post, tool" inward
ly exclaimed. "Parents must take
the bais very easily, Or tutors must
be scarce"
l hurried away, rs I was late, with
out opening them, reserving this
pleasing task for Hat6eld's rooms and
presence.
ais it a dun that I sec before me ?"
cried that gentleman, rs I entered,
letters in hand.
"Behold the triumph of advertising
and education!" 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 I had no
fancy for executing my search after
employment in this manner.
"There is no harm in it, you know"
said Hatfield "but Of course, unless
man is oil honors he cannot pick
out and choose, and yon must take
what they send you, or get nothing at
ALL"
But I was reduced to this; for
Grantham, to whom I confided my
plan, called ut my rooms during the
day, and offered q solution of the
difficulty.
eff you are really in earnest about
this, l think I know of q thing that
will exactly suit you. 1t is to pre-
pare a young fellow for Oxford. They
want man who is q gentleman, up
to the work, and fond of country
sports, hunting, &c. But what would
your father say to your taking pri-
vate tutorship? Does he know of
your plan ?"
"1t is the result of an agreement
between us respecting my running in
debt" I explained. II shall write
and tell him what + have done when
have undertaken an engagement"
"But, if Graham objects, would you