Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-22

during their ramble through the grounds
and over the stables Tom contrived to i'm
press them both considerably without COM
hitting himself. AT luncheon he was still
more successful, for there was no deny.
ing that he was capital company. He
made his lordship roar with laughter Mt
his Jokes and witticisms, and even the
lawyer became quite hilarious and cheer
full. The result was that when Mr.. Pen
nington rose to depart--for his lordship's
carriage WINS to take him to the neighbor-
ing station to catch the London train
Tom no longer felt any hesitation about
preferring his request.
"My lord, there is little matter l
should like to mention before Mr.. Pen
nington goes, he said, airily. 81 wish
to offer myself as a candidate for the post
of steward to your lordship. As Tn on
the spot | can get into harness at once,
which will be an advantage. I'm willing
to come on sale or return-I mean on APP
proval for month. That is an advan-
tage also. And I fiatter myself you
wouldn't find better business man, nor
ono that would serve you straighter, if
you were to fill the Times for six months
with advertisements.
Toms tone and manner were hardly
those of person asking favor. He
seemed honestly conscious Of his own
WORTH and Lord Montarlington, though
somewhat taken aback, was evidently
struck with the suggestion. He looked
across at the lawyer and said
"Eh, Mr. Pennington What do you
say to that?'
well, really, my lord such a thing
had never occurred to me" said the law
yer, looking undecided eff your lord
ship thinks Mr.. Blinker would be likely
to suit"
"a months trial, eh?" interspersed
Tom, with alacrity. Every well ; then
that's settled.
And so it was. His lordship glanced at
the lawyer and the lawyer glanced at him,
but neither raised any objection, and the
result was that Tom received permission
to begin his duties on the morrow. He
was proud man when he drove into Bill
chester that evening and announced his
good fortune. He found, however, that
the neighbors were less surprised at the
news than might have been expected, for
every one had heard of the letters which
he had written from the castle on paper
bearing his lordship's crea. If he had
come back and said that Lord Monar-
lington was his long lost brother the cred
ullty Of his friends would have borne the
shock.
Tom proved himself quite competent to
discharge the duties whick he had so
rashly undertaken. When a man has
plenty of assurance, backed by natural
ability, shrewdness, and firm determin-
alton to succeed, he cannot very we'll turn
out failure. Those who uttered omin-
GUS predictions based upon his unsuccess-
full career in Chichester. overlooked the
fact that want Of capital was alone the
cause of Toms misfortunes, and it turn
ed out that he had powerful incentive
to make him do his best III his new posi-
ton, for shortly afterwards he became en-
gagged to be married to the pretty daugh-
ter of mine host of the Blue Boar.
Lord Montarlington left for the north
on the day Tom entered upon his new du-
ties, and three months afterward, on pass
ing through London. he had an interview
with Mr.. Pennington.
"Bv-the-by,' he sad, at the close of
their conversation, 81 suppose the new
steward is success, MS I haven't heard to
the contrary 2"
HE is the best agent your lordship
has ever had prompt, business like,
energetic and trustworthy man, said Mr..
Pennington, warmly. MAY ask how
you came to know him p
"Why, you introduced him, of course"
returned his lordship, staring. ~ never
saw him before that day"
"Nor did r. returned the lawyer,
opening his eyes she offered to drive me
over and was certainly under the i'm
preston your lordship was acquainted
with him"
Lord Montarlington and the lawyer
stared at one another for a moment in
open-mouthed establishment, and during
that brief period Toms prospects were in
imminent peril. Then his lordship sud
denly burst out laughing, and Mr.. Penn
ington followed his example
81 never heard Of such bare faced i'm
pudence in my life y exclaimed Montar-
lington as soon as he could speak. "'Pon
my word he deserves his good luck As
he appears to suit, We had better say
nothing about the matter, only keep your
eyes on him, and don't let lis impotence
carry him too far.
g! will pull him up sharply on the
smallest provocation, returned Mr.. Pen
gravely.
But the provocation never arose, for
Tom continued to he an exemplary agent.
His substantial salary soon enabled him
to pay off his Chichester debts, for which
we may be sure he was not pressed, and
within year he married. He is now n
much-respected and very influential per-
sonage in the neighborhood, and to this
day people in Chichester continue to specu-
late on the nature of his mysterious in
huence with Lord Montarlington.