Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-02-29


the stables Tom contrived to impress them
both considerably without committing him
self At luncheon he was still more success
full, for there was no denying that he was cap
ital company on festive occasions. He made
his lordship roar with laughter at his jokes
and wittcsm4, aud even the lawyer became
quite hilarious and cheerful. The result was
that when Mr.. Pennington rose to depart
for his lordships carriage was TO take him to
the neighboring station TO catch the London
train--Tom no longer felt any hesitation
about preferring his request.
my lord, there is a little matter l should
like to mention before Mr. Pennington goes"
he said arily. ~ wish TO offer myself as
candidate for the post Of steward to your
lordship. As Pm on the spot l can get into
harness at once, which will be an advantage.
I'm willing to como on sale or return-I mean
on approval for month. That is an advan-
tage also. And Aatter myself you wouldn't
find better business man, nor one that
would serve you straighter, IL you were to
fill tho Times for six months with advertise
ments."
Toms tone and manner were hardly those
of a person asking q favor. He seemed hon
estly conscious Of his own worth, and Lord
Montarlington, though somewhat taken aback,
was evidently struck by the suggestion. He
looked across at the lawyer and said
"Eh, Mr.. Pennington What do you say
to that2"
"well, really, my lord, such a thing had
never occurred to me, said the lawyer, look
ing undecided. 'If your lordship thinks
Mr.. Blinker would bo likely TO suit"
"a months trial, eh p interposed Tom
with aacrity. Every well. Then that's set
tied"
And so it was. His lordship glanced a.
him, but neither raised any objection, and
the result was that Tom received permission
to begin his duties on the morrow. He was a
proud man when he drove into Chichester
that evening and announced his good for
tune. He found, however, that the neigh
bors 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 lordships
crest. If he had come back and said that
Lord Montarlington was his long-los brother
the credulity Of his friends would have borne
the shock.
Tom proved himself quito competent to
discharge the duties which he had 80 rashly
undertaken. When a man has plenty of as
surance, backed by natural ability, shrewd-
mesa and firm determination to succeed, he
cannot very well turn out failure. Those
who uttered ominous predictions based upon
his unsuccessful career in Chichester, over
looked the fact that want of capital was alone
the cause of Toms misfortunes and 1t turn
ed out that he had q powerful incentive TO
make him do his best in his new position,
for shortly afterward he became engaged to
be married to the pretty daughter of mine
host of the Blue Boar.
Lord Montarlington left for the north on
| the day that Tom entered upon his new du-
ties and three months afterward, on passing
through London, he had an interview with
Mr.. Pennington.
"By-the-by," he said, at the close of their
conversation, II suppose the new steward is
a success, as haven't heard to the contra
ry"
Hes the best agent your lordship has ev-
| er had a prompt, business-like, energetic
and Trustworthy man." said Mr. Pennington,
warmly. May l ask how you came to know
him 2"
why, you introduced him, of course, re-
turned his lordship staring. II never shw
him before that day"
Nor did 1 !" returned the lawyer opening
his eyes, "he offered to drive me over and
was certainly under the impression your lord
ship was acquainted with him."
Lord Montarlington and the lawyer stared
| at one another for moment in open-mouth-
ed astonishment and during that brief peri
cd Toms prospects were in imminent peril
Then his. lordship suddenly burst out laugh
| ing, and MIR. Pennington followed his exam
pie.
81 never heard of such bare-faced impu-
dence in my life :" exclaimed MontArlington
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 mis- impudence carry him too far"
Il will pull him up sharply on the smallest
provocation," returned Mr.. Penningt ton,
gravely.
But the provocation never arose, for Tom
continued to be an exemplary agent. His
substantial salary soon enabled him to pay
of his Chichester debts, for which, we may
be sure, he WAS not pressed, and within a
year he married He is now a much respect
ed and very influential parsonage in the neigh.
borhood, and to this day people in Chichester
continue to speculate on the nature Of his
mysterious influence with Lord Montarliug
| ton - London TRUTH