Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1884-08-01
4 gflErt Story.
Master Toms Engagement,

~proud Of his position as Il county mag
nate. He lived in feudal castle ht
had bought cheaply, having taken ovsl
At the same time the good will, so Il
speak, of its former: owners social in
huence and dignity. In consideration
of his great wealth his neighbcrs char
itably ignored the fact that his father
had been Il small tradesman and thai
he himself had carried on a lucrative
ysaess IN the hardware line for many
Years. He was not a bad old fellow
Il rs Hul garity being of a subdued and
Hnifensive kind, and consequently he
Iwas received in the best country soci.
ETY.. But he aspired to even greater
: distinction. for his pet project was to
n.arry his own son, Tom, to one of the
Earl of Iaburnum's daughters. There
seemed no reason why this ausplcious
a went should not come about, for the
, .ady Florence looked kindly upon
Master Tom, and his lordship had more
-t:.an once hinted that he would raise
t - objection. Lord Laburnum was
, he lord lieutenant OF the county, and
au alliance with his family meant adj
l.fSsion into the most aristocratIc cir.
/ sles.
- Unfortunately Master Tom was a
,capesrace, and his father preferred to
ct him see little of the world before
: -eveahng tie high honors that were in
. : ore for him The fact was Tom
showed no prediction whatever for
the Lady Florence, and lie was ust OF
.hat democratic age when youth Is
ut to underrate social advantages.
Che old man hoped that when Master
Oln had bad his fling he would begin
- awake to the responsibilities of his
-ssitIon, and b. amendable TO reason.
lie knew that Tom was raising "A very
S-<rectable crop of debts, and that be.
i,re long his parental assistance would
sought. When the crisis arrived he
+. tended TO make knoyn his wishes,
..ii to take advantage Of the lad em
tcrrsssment to impose conditions.
l-eauwhiie, as Tom seemed 10 have
{. N his heart u rowing commission,
I. ere was no apparent danger OF his
s'giously compromising his affections.
One dav, however, the young man
1ne down from town, where he was
o :-usibly Studying for the bar, aud
is IN very grave and determined air,
axaouEced that he was engaged to be
= rid. Old Mr.. Molyneux nearly
ct of agopleSyAa- tie <pot - ~
yofr~r lady eIrur-r- -r-.r -ur-r,-s,-rrfg by
carving on the business OF a dress
makerat the West End, his horror and
indignation knew no bounds In vain
Tom pleaded that Miss Fabian was Il
lady by birth AMI education. and that
the poverty Of her family Was her only
.crime. His father became more and
more furious, until Tom showed symp
toms Of opeu rebellion.
Think Of your position IN the coun-
"" cried old Mr. Molyueux. perceiv.
ing this and wisely making an effort to
control himself. Il will take 1t for
granted, If you like. that the gIri IS
an exemplary character. She may be
Fady like and we'll educated and all the
rest + It. bit her station is altogether
inferior to yours.
Id,n't see that, SAID Tom, stub
borniv.
Why, of course. II is ridiculous.
said the Did gentleman swelling with
self Importance Her father, you say,
is poor out at-clbows devil Of Il CLERK
III the city.
I've never noticed hi, coat had holes
} in it., r.torted Tom. AS for his being
a clerk in the city. so you were-once
, The only difference is that you have
p 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. infuria,ed at this reference to hls
own origen. 1t would be just as sen,
sible t. say that YOU and | are the
equals Of Lord Ilburnum because OLD
Adam was our common ancestor
What does it matter if | was once /
clerk in the city: | have since attain
. ed superior grade in the social scale,
!, and that is the fact that must be faced
d Bv marrying the daughter of city
clerk, who earns her living by dress
making, YOU would make mis-
alliance.
Just as Lady Florence would by
marrying me- said Tom, looking won
= derfully innocent.
Who is talking about Lady Flor
cnce 2 said old Mr. Molyneux, takei
aback by this unexpected thrust.
.Nobodv-only | have an idea tha
YOU wish me to marry out of my sta
ton retorted Tom
Il don't wish you to marry at all
Sir. not for many long year, crie'
Il the old man, fairly nonplussed.
What mean is, father SAID Ton
= doggedIy, that | see no more harm i
: marrying below ones station-to us
your own terms-than in marryin
above it. If one is not wrongthe 9th
er must be-
Y Stuff and nonsense, Sir. You don
Id know what you are talking about eA
claimed Mr.. Molyneux. Il don't wan
to have an argument with you. Th
long and short of the matter is that
won't hear of this foolish engagement
), There. 1t is no use talking. Lt
there be an end of it, or | shall haS
something very unpleasant to say
e The old man bounced out of the rooI
as he spoke, not little startled an
amazed at his sons tone and attitud
Hitherto Tom had had never venture
to argue with him, partly from tili
duty and partly from inherent veal
nv ness of character. He began to fe;
not that the lad possessed unexpected firm
sSa an ness, until he soothed his mind by tt
ith reflection that he had probably bee
ii. al,,I Co.. +Lo ;,tory;au rNb;s o,,