Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-07
TOM KILROY.

Romance is generally thought to
dwell in exceptions and extremes, but
Every-day life has its full share of heroes,
tragic or of chivalrous story. Tom
hlroy's youth knew no exceptional Cir
substances. His father was q MASTER
nason, steady and Industrious; his
bother loved him with that sober, wise
%tiection which keeps strict guard over
essons and clothing; he was, in short,
bne of those numberless sons of respect
pile mechanics who keep the public
ehools busy in their youth, and are
Kept busy by the world all their life af-
kerward.
Tom had been destined almost from
bis cradle to learn his fathers trade.
His elder brothers were carpenters and
builders. Mason-work would doyetail
naturally in with woodwork, and the
brothers would thus be enabled to throw
many a profitable job into each others
hands. There was no disposition in Tom
to quarrel with this destiny; the limit of
his ambition was to be a good trades
man, and marry the girl Of his choice.
He had not even settled on the girl yet,
and the pleasing latitude and uncer-
tainty he allowed himself in this matter
was the one bit of romance that leavened
Toms life at nineteen.
Evidently here was a very common
Had in very common circumstances, and
yet there was ever then in his possess
Sion a single advantage which might
disarrange the steadiest and most une-
vcntful OF plans: Tom was exceedingly
landsome-that is. he was going to be.
just at that age he was freckled and
immature, managed his great frame
awkwardly, and was shy in conse
qlenCe.
But, after all, it was Toms inches,
and his bright, handsome face, crowned
with short brown curly hair, that pre-
vented him taking permanently to bricks
and mortar. Old Kilroy had a job Of
work to do for the great importing firm
'of Scott & Donaldson, and one day
while Tom was laying bricks and whis-
Ting with a great deal of spirit ''The
Caro- of Old Gaul," Alexander Scott
took a liking to him.
Men do take these impulsive likings
Just as readily as women do, and for the
most part they consider themselves at
Liberty to indulge them. At any rate,
Mr.. Scott did. He had talk with young
Tom, and liked him better still, and then
had Il talk with Toms father, which re-
suited in TOMS throwing down the
trowel and taking a desk in the outer
counting-room OF the great firm.
The Kilroys were modestly proud of
the change. The elder boys going off
to work with their tools and the younger
ones with their books were still very fine
fellows in the mother'seyes; but Tom in
a stylish business suit, with kid gloves
on his hands, and a cigar in his mouth,
did them a loftier kind Of credit. All
of them felt this, and the carpenter re-
marked one morning, as they watched
nm down the venue a block: Cali
right, mother. 1t is a poor family that
can't have one gentleman-isn't it?"
No one doubted that it was call
right" Tom gradually became the
oracle of his fathers house. Why not?
He spent his days among grave, wealthy
men, among great interests and great
trusts, and u%navoidably he got the all
and assumed the tone of the wealthy
classes. In the course of two years he
was cautiously promoted, but he was
trusted even beyond his position. Mr.
SCOTS liking, though progressing at a
careful rate, still kept steadily increas'
ing. He had said often during these
Two years that tom Kilroy was a lit
tie uncommon" and Alexander Scott
was always ready to maintain what he
had Snce said.
In the method Incidental to a New
York business life time passes rapidly
IONS life went on as the clock does
1or the next four years, but in them
Tine gave everything and took moth,
'ag troha him His splendid physical