Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-02-28

side pocket, like a conjurer. / have
something important to say, so /
thought would take this opportuni-
ty, my Lord
II 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 a messenger
with note or two to Chichester. / had
some appointments which can easily
put off.
BY all means. There are writing
materials by your side, " said ms lord
ship.
Lord Montarlington and his lawyer
soon became Immersed in business,
while Tom wrote half dozen short
notes on paper bearing the Earls cor
onet and crest, with the address of the
Castle. The tenor of each of these
epistles was precisely the same, so
that a single specimen will suffice to
satisfy the readers curiosity.
! DEAR MCVITTIE:-I quite intended
to call and see YOU about those two
ponies I owe you. bat his Lordship
won't hear of nay leaving. Please let
the matter stand over a bit, and spare
yourself the trouble of issuing a writ.
Yours ever,
T. BLINKER.
While engaged on these important
compositions, 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 APP
pointing a new steward. The post
was at present vacant, the late occu-
pant having resigned in huff, and
Mr. Pennington was in favor of Civ
ing it to a practical, business-like
man who would not be above his
work His Lordship cordially ac-
guessed in this view, and left the mat
ter in the lawyers hands, and, hay
ing affixed his signature to few
documents, the conference ended.
Now, gentlemen. let us come and
have a look around, said his Lord
ship, with an air of relief. Mr.
Blinker the butler will hand your
letters to a groom, who is now going
into Chichester and who will deliver
them Immediately"
Tom .Blinker was trembling with
suppressed excitement, for ii had sud
denly occurred to him to apply to his
LOrdship for the vacant stewardship.
He was almost startled by his own
boldness, and though not wanting in
cool assurance 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 a favorable
impression.
Meanwhile he pulled himself to-
gether and assumed more sedate
and business-like air. Tom was a
shrewd fellow and was very well
posted up as to agricultural topics
generally. He had knack Of repeat
ing information gained at second
hand MS though it were entirely orig
inal, and he never confessed ignor-
ance on any subject whatever. Fortu-
nately for him, neither Lord Montar-
lington nor Mr Pennington knew
anything of the country life except in
its frivolous aspects, scat Tia during
their rambles through the grounds
and over the stables, Tom coutrived to
impress them both considerably with
out committing 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 became quitehilarious and
cheerful. The result was that when
Mr.. Pennington rose to depart-for
his Lordship's carriage was to take
him to the neighboring station to
catch The London traln-rom no
longer felt any hesitation about pro
ferring his request.
"My Lord, there is a little matter |
should like to mention before Mr.
Pennington goes, he said, airily Il
wish to offer myself as a candidate
for the post Of steward to your Lord
ship. is I'm on the spot can get into
harness at once, which will be an ad
vantage. I'm willing 20 come on sale
or rcturn--I mean ON approval for
month. That is an advantage also
And Aatter myself you wouldn't
fad a better business man, nor one
that would serve you straighter If you
were to Gil the Times for six months
,E5f 4, acknowledgements -
Toms tone and manner were hardly
those of a person asking favor. lie
seemed honestly conscious of his own
worth, and Lord Montarlington,
though somewhat taken back was
evidently struck by the suggestion.
He looked across at the lawyer and
said
"Eh, Mr. Pcnningtonl What do
you say to thatl"
Well really, my Lord. such a
thing had never occurred to me, said
the lawyer, looking undecided If
your Lordship thinks Mr.. Blinker
would be. likely to suit
"a months trial chr interposed
-Dv, with aIaeritv t.Nnrv veI Then