Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-03-13

men, laughed his Lordship, CHANGING
with good-humored surprise at Tom.
$50 long as no bones are broken there's
no harm done. Mr.. Pennington. it was
very good of you to come down from
town. ought to have called on you,
but tomorrow I'm going North"
land goodness knows where be-
sides.'' interposed Mr.. Pennington, pro-
ducing a bundle of papers from his side
pocket, like conjurer. Il have some |
thing important to say. so thought |
would take this opportunity. my Lord.
Il don't wish to intrude," said Tom, !
rising discreetly.
MY dear sir, pray don't move" re-
piled bis Lordship. Mr.. Pennington
and are not going4o talk secrets. Be-
sides, hope you will both stay to lunch"
delighted, I'm sure" said Tom.
readily. That is, if your Lordship
will allow me to send messenger with
a note or two to Chichester. l mad some
amendments which l can easily put
"By all means. There are writing
materials by YOUR side," said his Lord
ship.
Lord Montarlington and his lawyer
soon became immersed in business,
while Tom wrote half dozen short
notes on paper bearing the Earl's coro-
net and crest, with the address of the
castle. The tenor of each of these
epistles was precisely the same, SO that
single specimen will suffice to satisfy
the reader curiosity:
DEAR MCVrrfIE!G1 quite intended to cali
and see you about those two ponies owe you,
but his Lordship won't hear of my leaving;
Please let the matter stand over a bit, and
spare yourself the trouble of issuing writ.
Yours ever, 7. BLINKER.
While engaged on these important
compositions Tom could not resist CIV
inc an ear to the conversation which
was going on on the other side of the
fireplace. He gathered that the prin-
cipal object of the lawyers visit was to
consult his Lordship about appointing
new steward. The post was at pres
ent vacant, the late occupant having re-
signed in a huff, and Mr.. Pennington
wa, in favor of giving it to a practical,
business-like man, who would not be
above his work His Lordship cordial
matter in the lawyers hands, and, hay
ing affixed his gnature to few docu-
ments, the conference ended.
"Now, gentlemen, let us come and
have look around" said his Lordship,
with an air of relief Mr.. Blinker.
the butler will hand your letters to a
groom, who is now going into Bitches
ter, and who will deliver them immedi-
ately.''
Tom Blinker was trembling with sup
pressed excitement, for it had suddenly
occurred to him to apply to his Lord
ship for the vacant stewardship. He
was almost startled by his own boldness,
and although not wanting in cool as
surance, he could not at the moment
summon up courage to apply for the
post. He resolved to wait until after
luncheon, by which time he hoped to
have created favorable impression.
Meanwhile he pulled himself together
and assumed more sedate and bust
ness-like air. Tom was shrewG fell
low, and was very well posted up as to
agricultural topics generally. He had
knack of repeating information gained
at secondhand as though it were en-
tirely original, and he never confessed
ignorance on any subject whatever.
Fortunately for him neither Lord Mont
arlington nor Mr.. Pennington knew
anything of country life except in its
frivolous aspects, SO that during their
ramble through the grounds and over
the stables Tom contrived to impress
them both considerably without COM
L. = ho
still more successful, for there was nc
denying that he was capital company
on festive occasions. He made his
Lordship roar with laughter at his Jokes
and witticisms, and even the lawyer be.
came quite hilarious and cheerful. The
result was that when Mr.. Ienning.
ton rose to depart-for his LOrdship's
carriage was to take him to the neigh
boring station to catch the London train
Tom no longer felt any hesitation
about preferring his request.
s.My Lord, there is little matter
should like to mention before Mr.
Pennington goes,' he said airily. Sd
wish to offer myself as candidate fol
the post of steward to your Lordship
AS L m on the spot can get into har-
mes. at once. which will be an adj
vantage. I'm willing to come on sale
or return i mean on approval for {
month That is an advantage also
And flatter myself you wouldn't fin,
better business man. nor one tha
would serve you straighter if you were
10 fill the Times for six months with ad
vertisements.
TOMS tone and manner were hardl,
those of person asking a favor. HI
seemed honestly conscious of his owl
worth, and Lord MOntarlingtOn, thOuol
somewhat taken aback, was cvidentl.
struck by the suggestion. He LOOKED
across at the lawyer and said
''Eh, Mr.. Pennington9 What do vol
, say to that?'
.'Well, really, my Lord, such thin!
had never occurred to me-" said tn
lawyer, looking undecided. ''If you
Lordship thinks Mr.. Rlinker will b.
likely to suit
"A months trial, eh?'' interpose
, Tom, with alacrity. Every well. The
that's settled
And so it was. His Lordshi
glanced at the lawyer and the lawye
at MIN, DuL neltneF TalSeu any ODJecuOn
I and the result was that Tom receive
permission to begin his duties on tn
: morrow. He was a proud man whe
he drove into Chichester that evenin
= and announced his good fortune. H
found, however. that the neighbor
, were less surprised at the news tina
: might have been expected, for ever
!. one had heard of the letters which h
had written from the Castle on pape
O bearing his Lordship's crest. If he ha
= come back and said that Lord Mont