Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-15
MASTER TOMS ENGAGEMENT.

taken over at the same time the good
will. so to speak, OF its former own
er's social influence and dignity. In
consideration Of his great wealth his
neighbors charitably ignored the fact
that his father had been a small trades
man and that he himself had carried
on lucrative business in the hard
ware line for many years. He was
not bad old fellow, his vulgarlty
being Of a subdued and inotfenslve
kind. consequently he was received in
the best country society. But he as
nired to even greater distinction, for
his pet project was TO marry his own
son, Tom, TO one of the Earl Of
Laburnum's daughters. There seem
ed no reason why this suspicious
event should not come about, for the
lady Florence looked kindly upon
Master Tom, and his Lordship had
more than once limited that he would
raise no objection, Lord Laburnum
was the Lord Lieutenant OF the
county, and an alliance with his
family meant admission into the most
aristocratic circles.
Unfortunately Master Tom was
rather scapegrace, and his father
nreferred to let him see little OF the
world before revealing the high hon
org that were in store for him. The
fact was Tom showed no prediction
,ybateyer for the Lady Florence, and
he was Just Of that democratic age
when youth is apt to underrate social
advantages. The old man hoped that
vyhen Tom had had his fling he would
beo,n TO awake to the responsibilities
of his position, and be amenable to
reason He knew that Tom was rails
mo very respectable crop OF debts,
and that before long his parental as
sis,ance would be sought. When the
crisis arrived he intended to make
known MS wishes, and to take adyan-
tageor the lads embarassments to
;n5nose conditions. Meanwhile, as
Nm seemed TO have given his heart a
rovino commission, there was no APP
parent danger of his seriously com
promising his affections.
One day. however, the young man
came down from town, where he was
ostensibly studying for the BAR ana,
with a very grave and determlnedalr,
announced that ne was engaged to be
narried Old Mr.. MolyneuX nearly
had III of apoplexy en the spot and
When Tom proceeded to state that the
voupg lady earned her own living by
carrying ON the business OF dress
maker at the West End, ms horror
and Indignation knew no bounds; In
vain Tom pleaded that MISS FABIAN
was a lady by birth and education,
and that the poverty of her family
was Ler only crime. His father be
came more and more funcds, until
Tom showed symptoms OF Hat rebel
lion
"Think of your position in the
county 1" cried old Mr.. MolyneuX, per
ceivmg this and wisely making an eff
fort To- control himself. i will take
it Tor granted, if you like, that the
girl is an exemplary character. She
may be lady-lite aud well educated
and all the rest os it. But her station
is altogether inferior to yours.
IL uon't see that SAID Tom stub
bornly ~.
"Why. of course. Its ridiculous, -
said the old gentleman, swelling with
self-importancc. Her father you
say, is a poor outat-elbows devil of a
clerk in the city
eve never noticed hls coat had
holes IN it, ~ retorted Tom. LAS for
his being clerk in the city, so you
were once. The only difference IS
that you have been more fortunate
than he and have made enough money
to retire upon
None of your internal radical non
sense here, SIR cried old Mr.. Molly
neuX, Infatuated at tins reference to
his own origin. 1T would be Just as
sensible to say that you and | are the
equals of Lord Labunum because
Adam was our common ancestor.
What does it matter If | was once a
clerk in the city, | have since attain
ed superior grade in the social scale,
and that is the fact that must be faced.
by marrying the daughter of "a city
clerk, who earns her living by dress
making, you would make a misalli-
ance
"Just as Lady Florcsco would by
marrying me, said Tom, looking
wonderfully innocent
Who is talking about Lady Flor.
encelH said old Mr.. MolyucuN, taken
aback by this unexpected thrust
Nobody only ] have am idea that
you wish me to marcy out Of my sta-
fiou - rptortprpd Tom
81 don't wish you to marry al all,
sir, not for many a long year, cried
the old man, fairly noupiussed
"What | mean is, father, said Tom,
6oggedly, that see no more harm
in marrying below ones station to
use your own terms-thsn ia marry
ing above H. If one IS wrong The
other must be- >
'Stuf and nonsense, sir, You don
know what YOU are talking about
exclaimed Mr. MolyneuX. 1 don't
want to have an argument with you.
The long and short of the matter is
that | won't hear Of this foolish en-
gagement. There Ii is no use talk
ing. Let there be an end of 1t, or |