Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-22

Early next morning the neighbors, with
mingled admiration and onvy, witnessed
the departure of Tom and the lawyer
from the door of the inn. Tom handled
the ribbons, having borrowed Mr.. Bean s
little mare and trap the preceding evening
in order, as he said, to do the thing i'll
style. The grocer was proud of his turn
out, and was only too glad to oblige Tom,
now that his prospects had materially i'm
proved Tom Blinker looked very spruce
indeed when be drove to the inn to pick
up the lawyer. He was good-looking
man, with white teeth, norid complex
ion and u genial expression. Dressed in
his best, with flower in his button hole,
he presented quite an imposing appear
ance, and it was observed that Mr.. Pen
nington, the lawyer, treated him with
marked courtesy.
This is really very civil attention,
sir, remarked Mr.. Pennington. who was
an oldfashioned elderly gentleman of a
nervous disposition, and they bowled
alonb the hard country road toward theii
destination.
Don't mention it, sir you're well
come, I'm sure" said Tom Blinker, affa.
bly,.
81 wouldn't abuse your good nature fol
the world. You are sure Tn not taking
you out of your way?' persisted the law.
yer, glancing at his companion with mild
curiosity.
Certainly not, sir. AS [ told you veg.
terday, | had arranged to drive over" re.
piled Tom.
"They told me at the hotel when [ hap.
pened to mention your name that you
1. l.. i.
said Mr.. Pennington, who evidently did
not quite know what to make Of his oh.
liging companion.
As the lawyer spoke Tom gave the mare
rather an awkward flick with the whip,
which caused her to bound forward with
unpleasant velocity. Mr.. Pennington
then awoke to the fact that Tom Blinker's
skill at driving was hardly equal to his
politeness indeed, it soon became evident
that the mare had the trap and its occu.
pants pretty well at her mercy. Tom APP
peared cheerfully Indifferent to the cir
cumstances, and took bitches and sign
posts and milestones flying. The lawyer,
however, was far from comfortable, and
soon forgot his curiosity in his personal
fears. He ceased to ask questions and
devoted himself to holding on to the hand
raj, regardless of Toms conversation,
which continued in lively VEN, in spite
of the most startling episodes. Great
and unspeakable, indeed, was the old gen
tleman's relief when the castle at length
came in sight, the little mare having done
the distance probably in the shortest
time on record
Here we are said Tom, pointing
with his whip. "The entrance lodge is
down the road to the right"
pray don't let me take you yard ont
Of your way, sir, said the lawyer, pre-
pairing to alight 81 can easily walk the
rest of the distance"
Don't mention it, AS | am so near
may as we'll look in and pay my respects
to his lordship," said Tom, in an off-hand
manner, "The mare will be glad of n rest {;
she has brought us along in grand style. ="
A remark of n mildly sarcastic nature
came to the lawyers lips, but he did not
utter it, for fear of giving offence to a
friend of so good client MS his lordship.
a few minutes later Tom drove up to the
grand entrance of the castle with an i'm
posing catter.
The lawyer was evidently expected for
they were Immediately ushered along n
corridor to his lordship's study. On the
threshold Toms modesty seemed sudden
ly to assert ITSELF for he hung back lit
tie, so that his companion led the way
into the room.
Lord Montarlington advanced to receive
his visitors with outstretched hand. He
was handsome, gray-haired elderly
man, with frank, genial manners. In ap-
pearance he looked like n sailor, and in
fact yachting was his favorite occupation.
lie was a widower and childless, and since
the death of his wife he had resided very
little on his estates. He greeted the law
yer with friendly grasp, and also shook
hands with Tom.
Now I'm safe on terra frma. nv lord.
L do not mind confessing that Mr. Blink
er has made me pass n mauuais Q,tqrt
said Mr.. Pennington, with
humorous smile
'Pooh There was no danger. nv
lord. The little mare is as safe as nine
pence, only, like the rest of her sex. she
likes to take the bit in her teeth, " inter.
posed Tom, with his iovial laugh.
"Ha ba Pray be seated gentlemen,
laughed his lordship. glancing with good
humored surprise at Tom. $50 long as
no bones are broken, there's no harm
done. Mr.. Pennington, it was very good
OF you to come down from town. ought
to have called on you, but tomorrow I'm
going North and ="
"And goodness knows where beside !"
lnterposed Mr.. PenniHgton, producing n
bundle of papers from his side pocket
like conjurer Il have something i'm,
portant to say, so thought | would take
this opportunity, my lord"
81 don't wish to intrude," said Tom.
rising discreetly.
my dear sir, pray don't move" re-
Piled his lordship. "Mr. Pennington and
| are not going to talk secrets. Besides,
hope you will both stay to lunch"
Delighted, I'm sure" said Tom,
readily. THAT is, if your lordship will
allow me to send n messenger with a note
or two to Chichester. 1 had some ap.
polntments which I can easily put off,"
by all means. There are writing mate
rails by your side, said his lordship.
Lord Montarlington and his LAWYER
soon became immersed in business, while
Tom wrote half dozen short notes ON
paper bearing the earl's coronet and crest
with the address of the castle. The ten.
or OF each of these epistles was precisely
the same, SO that single specimen will
suffice to satisfy the readers curiosity
Dear Mcvitte-I quite intended 10 call and soo
YOU aooui those two ponies owe you, but his lord
snip won hear OF my leaving. Please let the mat
esr sahu over olt and spare yourself the trouble
I. BLINKER.
While engaged on these important COM
positions, Tom could not resist giving an
ear to the conversation which was going
on on the other side of the fireplace. He
gathered that the principal object of the
lawyers visit was to consult his lordship
about appointing new steward. The
post was at present vacant, the late occl-
pant having resigned in huff, and Mr..
bennington was in favor of giving il to n
practical, business-like man, who would
not be above his work. His lordship COR