Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-03-07
TOM KILROY.

TOM KILROY.
Tom Xilroy's father was master ma
son. steady and Industrious. Tom had
been destined almost from his cradle to
learn his fathers trade. Old Kilroy had
job of work to do for the great import
ing firm of Scott & Donaldson, and one
day while Tom was laying bricks and
whistling with great deal of spirit, Alex
ander Scott took liking to him.
Mr.. Scott had talk with young Tom.
and liked him better still, and then had a
talk with Toms father, which resulted in
Tom throwing down the trowel, and TAX
ing desk in the outer counting room of
the great firm.
In the course of two years he was eau
Siously promoted. but be was trusted even
beyond his position. Mr.. Scott's liking.
kept steadily increasing. He had said
often during these two years that TON
KilrOV was little uncommon" and
Alexander Scott was always ready to
maintain what he had once said.
Toms life went on as the clock does for
the next four years, but In them Time
| gave everything and took nothing from
him. His splendid physical beauty had
matured, and his business aptitudes had
been thoroughly developed. Even John
Donaldson, who had always smiled at his
partners fancy for the ''young mason,'
at length admitted that .'Kilroy was a
fine fellow, and would do the firm
credit"
1t was just after this admission from
Mr.. Donaldson, and ON hot. glowing day
in early July, Tom. busy among sundry
bales and boxes, heard Mr. Scott call him
| When he answered the summons he found
| the senior par tner IN a very anxious and
| perplexed mood.
"Mr. KiIroy," he said, hesitatingly, Il
cannot 60 home. as intended. tonight,
| and it may even happen that 1 shall have
to go to Liverpool by the next steamer
What want now is that you should take
my usual train, and carry Mrs. SEQ tt this
| letter."
Every we'll, sir; how soon shall !
leave ?''
"You have fifteen minutes to catch it,. >
So in fifteen minutes Tom was at the
Erie depot. When he reached the plat
form Of the little Jersey depot there was
the usual gathering of buggies and light
wagons, and he looked round for Mr.
SCOTS. which that gentleman had des-
cribed to him as "a nice little turnout
with pretty team of grays.''
The only vehicle answering to that DIES
eription was driven by a lady-a very love
ly lady indeed, who peered among The
crowd with wistful, anxious face. Ton
took heart of grace, and with his very
best bow and smile, made some inquiry Of
remark. the only ineligible words OF
which were, ''Mr. Scott"
Eyes, sir" said the lady, blushing, anf
handling the reins rather unnecessarily
~ came to meet papa, and you say he il
not coming. And you have letter
Will you allow me to drive you to th'
house ~
Tom was obliged to allow himself to b.
driven. His perfect idleness gave hin
leisure to watch his drivers pretty mo
lions; to note all the changes of her face
and all the coaxing intonations will
which she fattered and encouraged the
pretty team Of grays. He had LITERAL
fallen in loue without being at all aware O.
the plunge he had taken; for the sensa
tion was so charming it was hardly
likely he would pause to analyze the feel.
ing.
Mrs. Scott was quite aware of Mr.. Kill.
roy's antecedents and position, but womer
never weigh very handsome men in TIT
same exact balances they do ugly ones
There was a very charming tea, during
which Tom got as far in Mrs Scott's ia
vor as he had gotten with Mr.. Scott il
four years. So far, indeed, that when she
retired to the library to answer her bus
bands letter, she left Mr. Kilroy to be en-
tertained by her daughter Alice.
Did she remember what dangerous
entertainment wandering through th
scented shrubs in the twilight garden was
Wien Aliee's fingers touched Tom
among the strawberry vines. did she cal
culate the result? Or had she no fear o
the bewitching summer moon that say
these two sitti-g in sweetest silence he
meath the dropping honeysuckle on tn
piazza
He wished this night could last forever
He went back to town in kind of intoz
ication. Alice gave him jasmine spra
at parting; and this young Romeo of tn
counting house was just as foolish abou
flower as any lover. either before or sine
the food, has ever been.
He had no plan about Alice, but hi
stars planned for him. Mr. Scott went t
Liverpool by the next steamer, and for ST
weeks, on every Saturday afternoon. MI
KilroY went out to Mrs. Scott's with
certain sum of money from the firm, an
often certain commissions in books an
dry-goods with which the firm had no pa
i. ticular concern. In these six weeks Low
grew, both on Toms and Alics's part,
perfect stature.
9 But the delicious dream of youth ha
. here rapid awakening. In six weeks Nj