Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-03-07
a single specimen will suffice to satisfy


the readers curiosity:
DEAR McvITTIE:--I quito intended to call
and sec you about those two ponies owe you
hut hts Lordshlp won't hcar of my leaving;
spare yourself tho trouble of issuing writ
Yours over, r. BLINKRR.
While engaged on these important
compositions Tom could not resist Civ
ing an ear to tho 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 ut pres
ent vacant, the late occupant having re-
signed in huff, and Mr.. Pennington
was in favor of giving IL TO practical,
business-like man, who would not be
above his work. His Lordship cordial
ly acquiesced in this view, and left the
matter in the lawyers hands, and, hay
ing affixed his signature to few docu-
mcnts, 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 o
groom, who is now going into Bilches-
ter, and who will deliver them immedi-
ately.h
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 scdate and bust
ness-like air. Tom was shrewd fell
low, and was very well posted up as to
agricultural topics generally. He had
u 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
hitting himself. At luncheon he was
still more successful, for there was no
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.. Penning-
ton rose to depart-for his Lordship's 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.
"My Lord, there is little matter ]
should like to mention before Mr.
Pennington goes" he said airily. 81
wish to oiler myself as candidate for
the post of steward to your Lordship
AS L m on the spot can get into har-
ness at once, which will be an adj
vantage. I'm willing to come on sale
or return / mean on approval for a
month. That is an advantage also.
And | tlatter myself you wouldn't find
n better business man, nor one that
would serve you straighter if you were
to fill the Times for six months with adj
| vertisements.
Toms tone and manner were hardly
those of q person asking favor. He
seemed honestly conscious of his own
worth, and Lord Montarlington, though
somewhat taken aback, was evidently
struck by the suggestion. He looked
across mt the lawyer and said: ..
"Eh, Mr.. PenningtonP What do you
say to that?" Fr ..t..
"Well, really, my Lord, such thing
} had never occurred to me-" said the
, lawyer looking undecided. "lf your
Lordship thinks Mr.. Blinker will be
likely to suit"
"A months trial, ehp" interposet
Tom, with alacrity. Every well. Ther
that's settled"
g And so it was. His Lordshir
Y glanced ut the lawyer and the lawyer
l at him, but neither raised any objection
: and the result was that Tom received
4 permission to begin his duties on tn,
: morrow. He was proud man wher
! he drove into Chichester that evening
! and announced his good fortune. HI
l found, however, that the neighbors
g were less surprised at the news thai
: might have been expected, for every
/, one had heard of the letters which HI
had written from the Castle on paper
3 bearing his Lordship's crest. If he haC
, come back and said that Lord Mont
} arlington was his long-lost brother tn,
n credulity of his friends would hay,
borne the shock.
: Tom proved himself quite competen
S to discharge the duties he had SO rashl,
undertaken. When man has PLENTY
l of assurance, backed by natural ability
, shrewdness and firm determination t
( succeed, he can not very well turn out
failure. Those who uttered ominou
L predictions based upon his unsuccessful
career in chichester overlooked the fac
/ that want of capital was alone the cause
| of Toms misfortune, and it turned ou
8 that he had powerful incentive tc
make him do his best in his new posi-
Q tion, 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
3 on the day Tom entered upon his new
l duties, and three months afterward, or
passing through London he had an in
terview with Mr.. Pennington.
, "By-the-by,' he said, at the close Of
their conversation, ~ suppose the new
steward is a success, as haven't heard
, to the contraryp"
"He is the best agent your Lordship
has ever had; a prompt, business-like,
energetic and trustworthy man." said
Mr.. Pennington, warmly. "May | ask
ask how you came to know him?r
Why, you introduced him, OF
course, returned his Lordship, staring.
II never saw him before that day"
Nor did L." returned the lawyer,
opening his eyes; she offered to drive
me over, and was certainly under the
impression your Lordship was ac-
quainted with him."
Lord Montarlington and the lawyer
stared at one another for a moment in
open-mouthed astonishment, and during
that brief period TOMS prospects were
in imminent peril. Then his Lordship
suddenly burst out laughing, and Mr..
Pennington followed his example
81 never heard of such bare-faced i'm
pudence in my life," exclaimed Mont
arlington. as soon as he could speak.
| .ipnn my hnnn,. hn .lnnnr,,nn LIZ -. Ii