Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-03-14
a single specimen will suffice to satisfy

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the readers curiosity:
DEAR McvIrTTE:-I quito intended 10 call
and see you about those two ponies I owe you.
but his Lordship won't hear Of my leaving.
Please let the mstter stand over a bit, and
spare yourself the trouble OF issuing q writ.
Yours ever, T. BLINKER.
While engaged on these important
compositions Tom could not resist Civ
ing 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
n new steward. The post was Mt pres-
ent vacant, the late occupant having re
signed in n hui. and Mr.. Penn ngton
Wa, in favor Of giving it TO practical.
bus;riess-like man, who would not be
above his work. His Lordsh;p cordial
~ acquiesced in this view. and left the
matter in the lawyers hands, and, hav-
ing affixed his gnature To few dOcu-
ments. the conferences ended.
"NOw, gentlemen, let us come aud
have a look around. y said his Lordship.
with an air OF relief. Mr.. Blinker.
the butler will hand your letters to
groom. who is now going into Bitches
ter. and who will deliver them immedi-
atcly.
Tom Blinker was trembling with sup
pressed exc 'tement, for il bad SUI denly
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 10
have created favorable impression.
Meanwhile he pulled himself together
md assumed a more sedate and busi-
ne,s-like air. Tom was a shrewd fell
low. and was very well posted up rs to
agricultural topics generally. He had
knack OF repeating information gained
ut secondhand rs 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
tho stables Tom contrived to impress
them both considerably without com
mitting himself. At luncheon he was
still mort successful, for there was no
denying that he was capital company
on festive occasions. He made his
Lordship rear with laughter at his Jokes
and Nvitticisms, aud even the LAWYER he
came quite hilarious and cheerful. The
result was Tthht when Mr.. Pehning.
ton rose to depart-for his Lordships
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.
"My Lord, there is little matter ]
should like 10 mention before Mr.,
Pennington goes" he said aifiiy: al
wish to- offer myself as candidate for
| the post of steward to your Lordship.
As m on the spot can get into har-
ness at once, which will be an nd
vantage. m willing to come on sale
or return l mean ON approval for p
month. That is an advantage also.
And hatter myself you wouldn't finI
a better business man. nor one that
would serve you straighter IL YOU were
TO fill the Tim, for six months with adj.
vertisements.'
Toms tone and manner were hardly
those Of person asking favor. He
seemed honestly conscious of his own
worth. and Lord Montarington. though
somewhat taken abacS, was evidently
struck by the suggestion. He looked
across 81 the lawyer and said:
'Eh. Mr.. Pennington? What do you
say TO that?"
"welI. really. my Lord, such thing
had never occurred tn me-" said the
lawyer. looking undecided. elf your
Lorlship thinks Mr.. Blinker will be-
n
"A months trial, eb2' interposed
Tom, with alecrity, ''YefJ we'll. Then
that's settled.
And so il was. His Lordshiu
glanced at the lawyer and the lawyer
at him, but neither raised any objection.
and the result was that Tom received
permission to begin bis dut:us OH the
morrow He was proud man when
he drive into Chichester that evening
and announced his good fortune. He
found, however. that the neishbors
were less surprised Mt the news than
might have been exDeetsd; fDr eyefk
one had heard IF The letters which he
had Written from the Castle on paper
bearing his LOrdship's crest. III he had
come back and said that Lori Mont.
arlington was his long-lost brother the
crcduiity of his friends would hive
borne the shock.
Tom proved himself quite competent
70 discharge the duties he had SO rashly
undertaken. When a man has plenty
OF assurance. backed by natural ability,
shrewdnesS and firm determination tc
succeed, he can not worry well turn out
failure. Those who uttered ofi3iHotis
preuietiors baset hpon his unsuccessful
career In Chichester overlooked the fact
that want of capital was alone the causf
OF Toms misfortune, and IL turned or,
that he had n powerful jfi.entive tC
make hir, 10 his best in his new nosi
tion, for shortly afterward he became
Ssgageu 10 be married TO the pretty
uaughier OF mine host of the Blue Boar.
Lord Montarlington eft for tlfesNerth
on the day Tom ehtefpd tipoh his neA
duties, Md thfee Rionths afterward, on
passing through London he had an in,
teryiew with Mr.. Pennington.
"By-the-by," he said, at the close OF
their conversation. Il suppose the new
steward is success, rs haven't heard
te the contrary ?''
tie Is the best agent your Lordship
has ever had; prompt, busiuess-Ike.
energetic and trustworthy man. said
mr. remington, warmly. ''May ask
ask how you came to know hims'
Why sou introduced him, OF
eGnfse, returned his Lordship, staring.
Il never savUbim before thatday."
NOR did j." returned the lawyer.
opening his eyes; ''he offered tt dive
me oven end Was certainly under the
impression your Lordship was &C.
quainted with him." : 4 = =
Lord Montarlington and the lawyer
stared at one another for a moment IN
open-mouthed artouishmsHt; anli iHfins
that sricf pSfiod Toms prospects were
IN imminent peril. Then his Lordship
suddenly burst out laughing, and Mr..
remington followed his example.
4 never heard Of such bare-iaced I'M
pudenoe in my life" exclaimed Mont
nsrilIegtuth A. scoh a. he could speak.
4 ~ IOA hk.s.<,. L. a A !. a