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

shall have something very unpleasant
ts say"
The old man bounced outof the
room as he spoke, not little startled
and amazed at mis- sons tone and atti-
tude. Hitherto Tom had never ven.
tured to argue with him, partly from
inherent weakness of character. lie
began to fear that the lad possessed
unexpected frmness, until he soethed
his mind by the reflection that he had
PROBABLY been coached for the inter
view. This suspicion explained Mas
ter Toms unaceustomea readiness OF
repartee, which had made him appear
dangerous adversary. Relieved in
his mind by the discovery, old Mr.
Molyneux gradually cooled down and
completely recovered his self-confi-
dence. He easily convinced himself
that Tom would never dare to disobey
him, and instead Of feeling the least
apprehensive of the marriage taking
place, he was only uneasy lest rumors
of the engagement should reach the
Laburnums.
He prudently resolved to treat the
matter as definitely disposed of, and
to make 40 further allusion to lt-at
all events until Tom had had time for
reflection. Judging from appearance,
the lad seemed completely subdued.
He spent the next few days slaughter
ing peasants in detected and sulky
frame of mind. His father smiled
within himself and held his tongue,
though he showed by his manner that
he did not intend to be triAed with.
When he considered that he might
safely speak he said one morning,
with assumed carelessness:
"Well, ny boy, what are you go
ing to dor"
I'm going to shoot over Bailey's
farm, replied Tom.
Nonsense. You know what 1 am
referring to, :" said the old man, turn
ing red. ] am speaking of this idlotic
love affair"
"Oh. Well, of course must keep
my word, said Tom, with flushed
cheek.
what, you have written to break
it off, said Mr.. Molyneux, feigning
mo, Guvnor, haven't" said Tom.
81 hoped you would have softened by
this time"
'And believed you would have re
membered that your first duty was to
obey your father" cried the old man,
beginning to boil DO you mean 10
tell me that you still contemplate
marrying "a dreSsmaker2"
"She has sold her business, father,
said Tom, eagerly. "She might
have done better had she waited a
bit, but out of Difference to your
wishes
My wishesp interrupted Mr.
Molyneux, angrily. | don't care if
she carries on twenty businesses.
What | say IS that you shall never
marry her with my consent. That's
all. "
~ should be very sorry to disobey
you. father" began Tom, but
Look here my boy" interrupted
the old gentleman, quickly, speaking
with unnatural calmness, ''let us UNI
derstaud each other / forbid this
foolish engagement, and / order you
to break it off instantly That is my
bark. Now for my bite. You leave
my house within an hour, and unless
you inform me in the course of a week
that the affair is at an end | stop sup
plies. If you persist in marrying the
girl, then by heaven | will alter my
will and leave every farthing | pos
sess to your cousin Ted-in fact, | viii
make him my heir and discard you
altogether
1t is doubtful whether the old man
would have really carried out this
serious threat, for he was fond of his
son, and proud of him in a way, but
he looked very determined when he
uttered it. and Tom was evidently inn
pressed. The lad dropped his eyes
before his fathers irate glance, and
the ruddy color left his cheeks for an
instant.
Tom was evidently seriously dis
by this remark. He turned
on his heel, muttering something
about catching the next train to leave
town, leaving his father master of the
The old man considered
that he had gained a signal victory,
and was, therefore, not the least per
turbed when his son started off to the
station with his luggage, in literal ac-
with his injunction. He did
not doubt that Master Tom would see
the folly of his ways; and, sure
enough, two days afterward the young
man reappeared, looking decidedly
sheepish, and rendered his submission.
He even brought copy of the letter
he had written TO the young lady,
which Mr.. MolyneuX thought little
too curt and matter of fact, if any
fault was to be found with it. How
ever, he was not inclined to be hyper
critical in this respect and he heartily
Toms action.
you know Tom, he added, motto
ing the wholesome effect OF his words,
g. YOU are entirely dependent upon
me, and unless you took to poachiug
/ don't see how you could possibly
earn a crust. Besides, you are up to
your ears in debt
81 don't owe much, said Tom,
quickly, with tell-tale blush.
.,Nr,,, viii Dn1 ont tbat Won owe a