St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-29
MASTER TOMS ENGAGEMENT.

MASTER TOMS ENGAGEMENT.
Old Mr.. Molyneux was immensely proud
of her position as the county magnate. He
lived in feudal castle which he had bought
cheaply, having taken over at the same
time the good will, so to speak, of it's former
owners social influence and dignity. In
consideration of his great wealth, his neigh
bors charitably ignored the fact that his
father had been small tradesman, and
that he himself had carried on a lucrative
business in the hardware line for many
years. He was not a bad old fellow, his
vulgarity being of a subdued and inoffensive
kind, and consequently he was received in
the best county society. But he aspired to
even greater distinction, for his pet project
was to marry his only son, Tom, to one of
the Earl of Laburnum's daughters. There
seemed no reason why this suspicious event
should not come about, for the Lady Flor
ence looked kindly upon Master Tom, and
his lordship had more than once limited that
he would raise no objection. Lord Labur-
mum was the lord lieutenant of the county,
and alliance with his family meant admis-
sion into the most arstocratic circles.
Unfortunately Master Tom was rather
scapegrace, and his father preferred to let
him see little OF the world before revealing
the nigh hOnOrS that were in store for him.
The fact that Tom showed no prediction
whatever for the Lady Florence and he was
just at that democratic age when a 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 re-
sponslbilitieS to his position, and be amen
able to reason. He knew that Tom was
raising very respectable crop of debts,
and that before long his paternal assistance
would be sought. When the crisis arrived.
he Intended to make known his wishes, and
to take advantage of the lads embarrass-
ments to impose conditions. Meanwhile, as
Tom seemed to have given his heart a row.
ing commission, there was no apparent
danger OF his seriously compromising his
affections.
One day, however, the young man came
down from town. where he was ostensbly
studying for the bar, and with very grave
and determined air announced that he was
engaged to be married. Old Mr.. Molyneux
nearly had fit of apoplexy on the spot, and
when Tom began to state that the young
lady earned her own living by carrying on
the business of dressmaker at the West
end. his horror and indignation knew no
bounds. In vain Tom pleaded that Miss
Fabian was lady by birth and education,
and that the poverty of her family was her
only crime. His father became more and
more furious until Tom showed symptoms
of flat rebellion.
''Think of your position in the country!,'
cried old Mr.. Molyneux. perceiving this
apd wisely making an effort to control him
self. Il will take it for granted. if you
like. that the girl is an exemplary character
She may be ladylike and the rest of it. But
her station is altogether inferior to yours"
Il don't see that" said Tom stubbornly
"Why, of course. 1t is ridiculous" said
the old gentleman, swelling with self-im-
portance. Her father, you say, is poor
out-at-elbowS devil of clerk in the city,"
1--WE never noticed his coat has holes in
it," retorted Tom. GAS for his being a
clerk in the city, so were you-once. The
only difference is that you have been more
fortunate than he, and have made enough
money to retire upon"
None OF your radical nonsense here,
STRIP cried old Mr.. MoIyneux. Infatuated at
this reference to his own origin. sit would
be just as sensible to say that you and I are
the equals of Lord Laburnum because
Adam was our common ancestor. What
does it matter if | was once clerk in the
city. have since attained superior grade
in the social SCALE and that is the fact that
must be faced. By marrying the daughter
OF city clerk, who earns her living by
dressmaking, you would be making mes
alliance"
Just as Lady Florence would by mar
ryng me-" said Tom, looking wonderfully
innocent.
''Who is talking about Lady Florence?'
said old Mr.. MolyneuX, taken aback by this
unexpected thrust.
''Nobody-only I have an idea you wish
me to marry out of my station" retorted
Tom.
II don't wish you to marry at all, sir,
not for many long year!" cried the old
man, fairly nonplussed.
''What l mean is, father" said Tom,
doggedly, that see no more harm in
marrying below ones station-to use your
own term-than in marrying above it. If
one is wrong the other must be-"
''Stuff and nonsense, sir? You don't
know what you're talking about" ex-
claimed Mr.. Molyneux. II don't want to
have an argument with you. The long and
short of the matter is, that I wont hear
Of this foolish engagement. There! 1t is
no use talking. Let there be an end of it,
or 1 shall have something very unpleasant
to say"
The old man bounced out of the room as
he spoke not a little startled and amazed by
his sons tone and attitude. Hitherto Tom
had never ventured to argue with him.
partly from filal duty and partly from
weakness of character. He began
to fear that the lad possessed unex-
pected firmness until he soothed his mind
by the reflection that he had probably been
carefully coached for the interview. This
suspicion explained Master Toms unaccus-
toned readiness of repartee, which had
made him appear dangerous adversary.
Relieved in his mind by the discovery, old
completely recovered his self-confidence
He easily convinced himself that Tom would
never dare to disobey him, and instead of
feeling the least apprehensive of the mar
rage taking place, he was only uneasy lest
rumors of the engagement should reach the
LaburnumS.
He prldently resolved to treat the matter
as definitely disposed of, and to make no
further allusion to it-at all events until
Tom had had time for reflection. Judging
from appearances. the lad seemed COM
pletely subdued. He spent the next few
days saughtering pheasants in detected
and sulky frame of mind. His father
smiled within himself and held his tongue.
though he showed by his manner that he did
not intend to be trihed with. When he
considered that he might safely speak, he
said one morning, with assumed careless
ness:
well, my boy, what are you going to
do?"
'I'm going to shoot over Bailey's farm"
replied Tom.
..Nonsense. You know what I am re-
ferring to-" said the old man, turning red.
~ am sneakiug of this idiOtic love affair."