Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-12-04

| them is come OF more moral, useful sober,
Woodworking race than the man whose
| forebears were famous cut-throats in the
| Middle Ages, or dishonest lawyers, or
| kings favoritcs. It's plain John Smith
that has made up the wealth of this coun-
try and that has built her ships for her,
and defended her, and put her where she
is and John Smith had his ancestors at
Cressy and Agincourt as well as the rest
ay, and they had the bulk of the fighting
to do. I'll be bound but ! think none
the less of him because he cannot tell You
their names or plaster his walls with
coats of arms. However. it's idle talk.
ing about n matter of sentiment, and
that's the fact; and So If you'l, excuse
me, Hll Just 90 down INTO the CABIN ana
write a couple o. letters"
A minute or so after he had disap-
peared, Mr. Hodson who looked misera-
bly, cold, to tell the truth, though he was
wrapped from head to heel in volum-
nous furs) motioned his companion to
come few yards aside, so that they
could talk without fear OF being over
heard.
Now" said he. in his slow and distinct
way-"now we are alone, | want you to
tell me what you think of that young
man"
~ don't like his politics." was the
prompt and blunt answer
mo more do l." said Mr.. llodson,
cooly. but for another reason You
call him a Radical; | call him Tory: But
no NATTER don't mean about politics:
Politics who but n fool bothers his head
about politics. unless he can make money
out of them? No: mean something more
practical than that. Here have you and
he been together these three days, talking
about the one subject nearly all the time
i mean, the management of these high
land estates and he nature of the ground,
and what should he done, and all that
Well, now, you are man OF great eXper-
fence, and ! want You TO- tell me what you
think of this young fellow want you
to tell me honestly, and it will he in strict
confidence. ! assure yeu. Now has he got
n good solid grip OF the thing; Does he
know? Does he catch on? Is he safe? Is
he to be trusted;-'
ooh, there. there. there" said the big
estate agent interruptng through mere
good-nature. That's quite another
thng-quita another thing. I've not a
word to say against him there-no, quite
the other way-a shreWd headed, capable
fellow he is, with Il groundwork OF practl-
cal knowledge that no man ever got out
of books. As sharp eyed fellow as
} have come across for many day. Didn
you see how he guessed at the weak points
of that Null place before ever he set foot
ashore? Quick at figures too on, yes
yes Il capable fellow | call him. He has
been posting himself up. | can see: but
it's where his practical Knowledge comes
in that he's of value. When it's a ques
ton of wineries. or something like that
.
Mr.. ITodson listened in silence and his
manner showed nothing.
Il have been thinking he would be
valuable man for me, the agent said, pres
emily.
In your of1iceF' said Mr.. lIodson
!, raising his eyes.
yes And for this reason. You see,
, | he would only keep away from those d
politics OF his, he is very good-nature'
, fellow, and he has got an ol-hand wa.
, with him that makes shepherds and keep
, ers and people of that kind friendly; tn
result is that he gets all the information
that he wants, and that isn't always al
>, easy thing to get Now if | had Il mai
! like that III my office, whom | could sem
, with a client thinking of purchasing a.
eState-to advise him-to get mt the trutl
. and so be an intelligent and agreeabl
. travelling companion at the same time
y that would be Il useful thing
- Say, now" continded Mr.. Hodson lwh
a was attending mostly to his own medital
u ions. do you think, from what you'v
seen of this young man, that he has tn
: knowledge and business capacity to b
- overseer-factor, you call 1t. don't your
J of an estate-not large estate, but pei
Z haps about the size of the one we say
$ now Would he 90 he right wa
about ii? Would he understand wha
q had to be done?-l mean, in improvin
the land, and getting the most out of it
Mr.. Carmichael laughed.
u 'It's not "A fair question" said he
r "Your friend Strang and are too muc
of one opinion-ay. on every point we'r
e agreed-for many's the long talk we'v
- had over the matter"
d II know, | know" Mr.. IIodson sale
l. Though | was only half-listening: fC
5 when YOU rot to feu-duties and publ
burdens and things of that kind, ! lost m
reckoning. But YOU say that You an
Strang are agreed rs to the proper way
. managing n HIGHLAND estate; very wei
&c assuming YOUR theories to be correct, is h
- capable of carving them out?'
- IL think sol should say undoubtedly
| don't think myself would hesitat
about trusting MIN with such n place
"a that is when | had ,nudr sufficient i,
~ uuiries nbout his character. and rot SON
10 money guarantee about his stewardship
But then. Won see. Mr. Nodson. I'm afrai
if Won were TO LET ~trany 90 his own wa
in working nm an estate. so a.,ta Get I'll
most markctablr value into it, you and h
wouId have different opinions ut the on
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