Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-10-15
TOMS ENGAGEMENT.

proud of his position as the county
magnate. He lived in a feudal castle
which he had bought cheaply, having
taken over at the same time the good
will, so to speak, of its former own
er's social influence and dignity. In
consideration of his..great wealth, his
neighbors charita5ly ignored the
fact that his father had been a small
tradesman, and that he himself had
carried on lu crative business in the
hardware line for many years. He
was not bad old fellow, his vulgar
ity being of subdued and inofensive
kind, and consequently he was re-
ceived in the best county society.
But he aspred to even greater dis
tinction, for his pet project was to
marry his only son, Tom, to one Of
the Earl of Laburnum daughters.
There seemed no reason why this
suspicious event should not come
about, for the Lady Florence looked
kindly upon Master Tom, and his
lcrdship had more than once limited
that he would raise no objection.
Lord Laburnum..was the lord-lieuten-
ant of the county, and an alliance
with his family meant admission in
to the most aristocratic circles.
Unfortunately Master Tom was
rather scapegrace, and his father
preferred to let him see a little of the
world before revealing the high
honors that were in store for him.
The fact was that Tom showed no
prediction whatever for the Lady
Florence, and he was just at that
democratic age when youth is apt
to underrate social advantages. The
old man hoped that when Tom had
had his fling he would begin to awake
to the responsibilities of his position
and be amenable to reason. He
knew that Tom was raising respect
able crop Of debts, and that before
long his paternal assistance would
be sought. When the crisis arrived
he intended to make known the
wishes, and to take advantage of the
lads embarrassments to impose con
ditions. Meanwhile, as Tom seemed
to have given his heart a rowing COM
mission, there was no apparent dan
ger of his seriously compromising his
affections.
One day, however, the young mai
came down from town, where he was
ostensibly studying for the bar, and
with a very grave and determined al,
announced that he was engaged te
be married. Old Mr.. Molyneuz
nearly had a fit of apoplexy on the
spot, and when Tom proceeded te
state that the young lady earned bel
own living by carrying on the busi
ness of dressmaker at the Wes
End, his horror and indignation
knew no bounds. In vain Tom plead
ed that Miss Fabian was a lady b,
birth and education, and that ths
poverty OF her family was her onl,
crime. His father became more ant
more furious, until Tom showed
symptoms of fiat rebellion.
"Think of your position in th'
county!" cried old Mr.. Molyneux
perceiving this, and wisely making
an effort to control himself. 81 vii
take it for granted, if you like, tina
the girl is an exemplary character
She may be ladylike, and we'll educat
ed, and all the rest of it. But he
station is altogether inferior t
yours
| II don't see that said Tom, stub
bornly.
"Why, Of course. 1t is ridicr
lous," said the old gentleman, swell
ing with self-importance. Her fail
er, you say, is poor out-at-elbow
devil of clerk in the city"
"I've never noticed his coat ha
holes in it," retorted Tom. Gas fe
his being a clerk in the city. SO wei
you-once. The only difference
that you have been more fortuna
than he, and have made enous
money to retire upon"
"None Of your Internal radio
! nonsense here, sir!" cried old II