St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-03-22

arlington nor MT. remington knew
anything of country life except in its
frivolous aspects, SO that during their
ramble through the grounds and over
the stables Tom contrired 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. Eenning-
ton rose to depart-for his Lordship 5
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 q little matter |
should like to mention before Mr..
Pennington goes he said airily. 81
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 viii be an ad-
vantage. I'm willing to come on sale
or return mean on approval for q
month. That is an advantage also.
And tiatter myself you wouldn't find
a better business man. nor one that
would serve you straighter if you were
to fill the Times for six months with adj
vertisements. y
Toms tone and manner were hardly
those of a person asking a 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 at the lawyer and said:
''Eh, Mr.. Pennington? What do You
say to that?''
swell, 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, eh?'' interposed
Tom, with alacrity. every we'll Then
that's settIed.'s
And so it was. His Lordship
glanced at the lawyer and the lawyer
at him, but neither raised any objection,
and the result was that Tom received
permission to begin his duties on the
morrow. He was a proud man when
he drove into Chichester that evening
and announced his good fortune. He
found, however, that the neighbors
were less surprised at the news than
might have been expected, for every
one had heard of the letters which he
had written from the Castle on paper
bearing his Lordship's crest. If he had
come back and said that Lord Mont
arlington was his long lost brother the
credulity of his friends would have
borne the shock.
Tom proved himself quite competent
to discharge the duties he had 50 rashly
undertaken. When u man has plenty
OF assurance, backed by natural ability,
shreWdness and a firm determination to
succeed, he can not very well turn out
failure. Those who uttered ominous
predictions based upon his unsuccessful
career in Chichester overlooked the fact
that want of capital was alone the cause
of Toms misfortune, and it turned out
that he had powerful incentive to
make him do his best in his new posi-
ton, 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
on the day Tom entered upon his new
duties, and three months afterward, on
passing through London he had an in
terview with Mr.. Pennington.
"By-the-by," he said, at the close Of
their conversation, Il suppose the new
steward is a success, as | haven't heard
to the contrary?'
"He is the best agent your Lordship
has ever had; a prompt, business-like,
energetic and trustworthy man. said
Mr.. Pennington, warmly. MAY 1 ask
ask how you came to know him?"
"Why, you introduced him, of
course, = returned his Lordship, staring.
Il never saw him before thatday.'
sNor did I, returned the lawyer,
opening his eyes; che offered to drive
ne over, and was certainly under the
impression your Lordship was ae-
luainted with him.
Lord Montarlington and the lawyer
stared at one another for a moment in |
open-mouthed establishment, and during
hat brief period Toms prospects were
n imminent peril. Then his Lordship
burst out laughing, and Mr..
Bennington followed his example.
81 never heard of such bare-faced inn
oudence in my life exclaimed Mont
arlington, as soon as he could speak. |
= Pom my honor, he deserves his good
uek. AS he appears to- suit, we had
better say nothing about the matter;
MY keep your eyes on him, and don't
ct his impudence carry him too far
II will pull him up sharply on the
mallest propagation, returned Mr..
Bennington, gravely.
But the provocation never arose, for
Tom continued to be an exemplary
gent. His substantial salary soon en-