Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-05-17

subject whatever. Fortunately for him,
neither Lord Montarlington nor Mr.. Pom
nington knew anything of country life
except in its frivolous aspects, so that
during their rGmbles through the grounds
and over the stables Tom managed 10 inn
press them both considerably without
committing himself. Atluncheon he was
still more successful, for there was no de-
nying that he was capital company. He
made his lOrdship roar with laughter at
, his jokes and wittcisms, and even the
lawyer became quite hilarious and cheer
/ ful. The result was that when Mr.. PEN
nington rose to depar;-tor his lordship's
carriage was TO take him 10 the neighbor-
/ ing station to catch the London train
Tom no longer felt any hesitation about
! prcferring his request.
my lord there is i little matter
! should like 10 mention before Mr.. Pen
! nington goes" lie said, aiiily. IL wish
/ 10 offer myself as 4 candidate for the post
! of steward TO your lordship. As I'm on
! the spot can get into harness at once,
! WHICH Will oc I" NihAhS
TO come Oh sale or return-i mean OH ap-
proval for month. This is an advantage
( also. And hatter myself you wouldn't
1 fmd a better business nan, nor one that
would serve you straighter, if YOU were
/ 10 fill the Times for six months with all
yerIScments."
Toms tone and manner were hardly
those of 4 person asking favor. lie
seemed honestly conscious OF his own
worth, and Lord Montarlington, though
somewhat taken aback, was evidently
struck with the suggestion. He looked
across ut the lawyer and said:
"Eh, Mr.. Pennington: What do you
say to that:"
"Well, really, my lord, such thing
never occurred TO me, said the lawyer,
looking undecided. III your loldship
thinks Mr. Blinker would be likely ~
| suit"
"a months trial, chg" mtersperscd
Tom, with alacrity. VERY well; then
that's settled"
And so it was. His lordship glanced at
the lawyer and the lawyer glanced at him,
but neither raised any objection, and tho
result was that Tom received permission
TO begin his duties Oh the morrow. lie
was Il proud man when he drove Into Bill
chester that evening and announced his
good fortune. lie found, however, that
the ncighbors were less surprised at tho
] 81. .f.,I,t .t..1
every one had heard of the letters which
he had written from the castle on paper
bearing his lords crest. If he had come
back and said that Lord MonIarlington
was his long lost brother the crcdulIy Of
his friends would have born the shock.
Tom proved himself quite competent 20
discharge the duties which Inc had 80
I rashly undertaken. When \ man has
plenty Of assurance, backed by natural
ability, shrcwdncss and firm dctcrmina-
ton TO succeed, hc can not very well turn
out failure. Those who uttered ominous
predictions based upon his unsuccessful
career in BilcIestcr overlooked the fact
that want OF capital was alone the cause Of
4 ,
he had powerful incentive TO make him
do his best in his new position, for shortly
aftcrward he became engaged TO be mar
ried 10 the pretty daughter Of mine host
Of the Blue Boar.
Lord Montarliugton left for the North
OH the day Tom entered upon his new du-
tics, aud three months aftcrward, Oh
passing through London, he had an inter-
view with Mr.. Pennington.
"By the by" lie said, at the close Of
their conversation, Il suppose the new
steward Is n success, a. | haven't heard to
the contrary!'
'lIe Is the best agent your lordship
has ever had; a prompt, business-likc,
energetic and trustworthy man, said Mr.
! Pennington, warmly. May | ask how
you came to know him:"
"Why, you introduced him, Of course"
returned his lordsllip, staring. 81 never
saw him before that day"
"Nor did 1, ," returned the lawyer, open
ing his eyes. Gle offered TO drive me
over, and | was certainly under tho i'm
preston that your lordship was acquaint-
cd with him"
Lord Montarlington and the LAWYER
stared at one another for moment la
open-mouthed as:onlshment, and during
that brief period Toms prospects were In
imminent peril. Then his lordship sud-
denly burst out laughing, and Mr.. PEN
nington followed his example.
II never heard Oi such bare-faced I'M
| pudencc in my life!" exclaimed Montar-
liEgton, rs soon Us hc could speak. "'Pon
my word hc deserves his good luck. As
/ he appears to suit we had better cay moth
! ing about the matter, only keep your eyes
Oh him, aud DON'T let his iInpudencc carry
: him too far"
"I will pull him up sharply on the
/ smallest prOyocation," returned Mr. PEN
nington, graycly.
But the prOyocation never arose, for
/ Tom continued to be AZ exemplary agent.
] His substantial salary Soon enabled him
! 10 pay of bis Chichester debts, for which
| you may be sure he was not pressed, aud
] within year Inc married. He Is now
much respected anG very influential per-
sonage in the n.iShborhood. aud 10 this
day people in Chichester continue 10 spec
ulate OH the nature of his mysterious in
huence with Lcrd Montarlington.
/
81 Il