Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-04-09
THOSE SMITHSI


When Mr.. Josiah Smith bought Toll
esham Towers the event was consid-
cred n calamity throughout the neigh
borhood. The world knows well that
North Clcyshirc is the center of Con-
servatism. There every one who is any
one counts crusaders and early Barons
among their ancestors. The Lcaven-
hams came in with the Conqueror. The
Godwns, Of Seaford, are Saxon. With
in n radius of ten miles round Tolle-
sham is such representative collection
of birth and blood rs distinguishes, not
to say hallows, that spot beyond all
other, even in this closest of close coun-
ties. 1t was grief TO this community
when the last owner of the Towers died,
practically hcirless -dcsccration that
the place should be thrown on the mar
ket. But conceive the horror that beat
through all those high-brcd bosoms
when il was known that the purchaser
had been Gin trade" The terrible an
nouncement was followed by rush OF
visits, all having for their object the dis
cussion of this terrible announcement.
There was u rumor alloat that "thc new
man" was n wholesale butcher. One
knew on good authority he had made
his money in lucifer matches. One
limited that he had something to do
with soap. Mystery hung over this
point, but all agreed that Mr.. Smith
advent there was misfortune; all by
closing their circle against him, made
clear the Nervousness of his ollcnse in
stepping "bctwiXt the wind and their
nobility" Severe though the sentence
was, it affected Mr. Smith but little. At
first, indeed, he appeared unconscious
of being tabooed ut all. He had paid II
heavy sum for his place, now he only
wanted TO enjoy himself thereon after
bis own fashion, perfectly happy alter
INC and rcnovating for the Towers were
going to ruin under the old rcgimc), en-
joying himself hugely over farming some
of his own land, an art of which he
knew less than one of his own
footmen. But while contentedly going
his own way, Mr.. Smith was sowing
such crop of uncharitablcncss around
him rs he little dreamed of.
In blissful ignorance of his offensc,
however, Mr.. Smith continued TO spend
his money rs he chose. He started such
an establishment that extra offices were
needed for the servants. The gardens
glittcrcd with new glass ercctions. His
chief gardener was n gentleman who
could reel off botanical names in the
Latin tongnc without tripping single
quantity. Half dozen carriages came
.down from Long Acre of all degrees of
luxury, and animals TO match soon
Tiled the stables. And Mr.. Smith was
liberals; not to be called narrow-minded
either, for having, during several Sun
of the rickety old church. "Now,
hadn't we best rebuild the whole
thingP" said he to the rector. "A
couple of thousand IL do it. I'll give
half. did the same thing for II chapel
up at Stockpod. L never grudge my
money for place of worship" Imag-
inc the reception accorded to this offer,
first by the straightest of Anglican
priests, next by the Restoration Com
mittee" of gentlefolks, who held dis
sent in livclicr adherence than heath.
enism, and yet were none of then
rich enough TO reject the parvenu's ait
and do tho work themselves.
Similar CONSERVATION was caused by
Mr.. Smiths equally generous offer in 1
different direction. The Hunt of Nortl
Cleyshire was in n bad way when he
came to Tollesham. Tenants disaster,
pulled on landlords pockets. Sporting
subscription lists (about the last TO sui
fcr) showed Il diminished total. The
master threatened resignation, and M
substitute could be found.
"But we mustn't let the thing dropr
said free-handed Mr.. Smith to one o
his own farmers. "I'll see them through
q season or two. We must let Captain
Uppingham know somehow that Tn
good for few hundreds" But rather
than stoop TO this indignity the leaders
of the Hunt would forswcar foxes for
ever! They COMPOUNDED his impu
dence' through every variety of aristo
cratic expletive, raked up a purse among
themselves, and when Mr.. Smith
splendidly mounted, appeared ut tn,
January meet, gave him the cold shoul
der, and rallied with one accord rounC
the Uppingham's Anticipated chariot, a.
if in protest against the plebeian's pres
ence among them. Having sense, If no
tact, even this failed to disturb Mr.
Smith; but having sentiment rs well a
sense, he owned vulnerable point hi
daughter! A widower since Mabel
birth, eighteen years before, all tn,
softer emotions of his life, the prid,
that grew with her life, had conferred il
this child. BY great good luck Mrs
Annesley, the girls govcrness, nov
chaperone, was woman of culture an,
refinement Under her care Mabe
grew into charmingly intelligen
maidenhood. Excessively pretty in tn
eyes of all but the bitterly preiudiced
she had many graces, and was properl,
tho browning Joy of Mr. Smiths exist
ence but, being his child, she was un
mercifully snubbed and held at arm
length by the patrician DANES of Cley
shire, as if she had been pestilence
Mr. Smith soon found this out, and re
sented for his darling what he laughed
at for himself.
mot very lively part of the worl
shis-eh, MabP" said he, one sprin
day, flinging down paper containin
lists of people present at balls to whic
they had received no invitations.
Gay enough for me, papa" an
swered Mabel, dimly divining tn
source of discomfort. "You know
never care to drag you about to dances
where you must be dull"
"You haven't had the chance of put
ting me to the penance here,
grumbled her father; "but," brighter
ing up, eve an idea. We've not don
our duty to our neighbors. We've ha
no house-warming. When the days al
longer we'll entertain all round--hav
band from town, tennis in the aftcl
noon, and hop in the evening
That'll fetch our friends up--eh, Mr.
Annesleyp DO you like the plar
Mabpn
No-in secret she did not. Instinc
lively Mrs. Annesley foresaw disaster
the scheme. But Mr.. Smith in big
glee ran over catalogue of people
DO invited, and amused himself for