New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-27
MASTER TOM'S ENGAGEMENT.

II.
position as the county magnste. He lived IN
feudal castle which he had bought cheaply, having
taken over at the same time the goodwill, so 10
speak of its former owners social ipiuehce ana h;a
neighbors charitably ignored tho fact that ms
father had boon small brakeman, aud that ne
himself had carried on lucrative business 10 ,1g
old fellow, his yulgarity being OF q suDdued an9
inoffensive kind, and consequently he was received
in the best county society But no aspired to even
greater distinction for his pet project was TO marry
his only son, Tom to one of the Earl of Laburnums
daughters. There seemed no reason why thlS
auspicious event should not come ao9u1 LOT I'm tne
Lady Florence looked kindly upon Master rom,
and his lorflshp had more than once hiRted that ne
would raise no objection. Lord Laburium was me
lorG-eutcraut of the county, and nm alliance WIN
his family meant admission into the most aristo-
Unfortunately Master Tom was rather scare
grace. and his father preferred 70 ie. nm sec
OF tie world before revealing the high honors that
were in store for him. The TACT was tnat nohi
showed no prediction whatever for tho Lady ,or-
ence, and be was just Mt that dcmocralic age "pGn
n Youth is apt TO underrate social advantages. Inc
old m6n hoped that when Tom had had us nlhg nc
would begin to awake TO the responsibilities OF MS
position and be amenable TO reason. ne I'M hno %
that Tom was raising very Respectable crop oI
debts and that before long his Datelnai assistance
would be sought. When the crisis arrived, he IN
tended to make known his wishes, ana 10 taKo
advantage of the lads embaTassmcnts to impose
conditions. Meanwhile. "a Tom seemed 10 nave
gwen his heart rowing commission there was no
apparent danger OF his seriously compromising HIS
One day however, the young man came down
from town, where he was ostcnsibly STUDYING LOT
the bar, and with n very grave and determined ar
announced that he was engaged to be married
Old Mr.. MoyneuX nearly had q mt OF apOpcXy on
the spot and when Tom proceeded 20 state that the
Young lady earned her own living by carrying on
the business Of n drCssmnker ut the West End, ms
horror and indignation knew 10 bounds. In VAN
Tom pleaded that Miss Fabian was lady by bifin
and education. and that the poverty OF her family
was her ONLY crime. His father became more ana
more furious, until Tom showed symptoms OF HAT
rebellion. ,
think of your position in the countvw cried
old Mr. MovneuX, pcrceiving this, and wisely
making an effort to control himself VIII take
1t for granted, |! YOU like. that the SIT Is an en-
cmplary character. She may be ladylike. and wen
educated and all the rest oft But her station Is
altogether inferior TO yours"
" | don't soc that" said Tom. stubborly
"Why. OF course. IL Is Ridiculous SAIL mo old
gentleman. swelling witch scil-impor'ahI tier
father YOU say. is poor Out-at-ebows devil OF
i've never noticcd his coat has holes in ~
retorted Tom. AS for his being n clerk IN the
city. so wero you-oncc. The only difference IS
that Won have been moro fortunate than Ne anu
have made enough moDcy TO retire upon. -,
None of your Internal radical nonsense mere,
sir" cricd old Mr.. Molyneux. infnrsted a. ms
reference to his own origin. " IL would be Just ms
sensible to say that You and i are the equals OF
Lord Laburnum because Adam was our common
ancestor What does il matter ii l was once
clerk in tine cIyi have since attained a superior
grade in tho social SCALE and that IL the fact that
must he faced. By marrying the daughter or
city clerk who earns her living by dfessmahing'
You would ne making n mis-alliancc.'
Just as Lady Florence would by marrying me-
said Tom looking wonderfully Innocent.
"Who is talking about Lady FlOienceT SAID Oh
Mr.. Moyncux. taken aback by this unexpected
thrust.
"Nobody-only have IN idea Won wish me to
marry out OF my station" 10 orted Tom.
- don't wish Won 10 marry at all, sir, not Tor
many n long year." cried the old man, fairly non
plussed.
"What mean s. father" said Tom. doggeily,
chat zee no more harm in marrying below ones
statiop-io use your own terD--than in marrying
above il. If one is wrong the other must be.
STUFF and nonsense. sir! You don't know what
vou'rc talking about exclaimed Mr.. Moyneux.
- don't want to have an argument with you. The
long and short Of the matter IS that wont Fear
talking. Let there be an end of H. o. snail nave
something very unpleasant to say"
The old man bounced out OF the room as he spoke,
not little startled and anazed by his sons tone
aud attitude. Hitherto Tom had never ycntured 10
argue will Inn. partly from flial duty aud partly
from inherent weakness OF character lie began 10
fear that the lad possessed uneNpected irInness,
until he soothcd ms mind hy the reflection that he
had probably been carefully coached for the inter
view. This suspicion explained Master Toms I'M
radiness Of rcpatee. which had made
him appear dangerous adversary. Relieved IN
his mnd by the dtcoyeIy, Ola MI. MOlyhenN
gradually cooled down,and completely recovered
his teif-conhdence. lie easily convinced hihlse,i
that Tom you'd never dare To dsobey him. and
instead OF feeling the least apprchenslVe OF the
marriage taking place, he was only uneasy lest
rumoIs Of the engagement should Teach the
lie prndently resolved 10 treat the matter as
definitely disposed OF, and 10 make no further
allusiOn to tat all events until Tom had had
timo for reelection. Judging from appearances.
the lad seemed completely subducd. lie spent the
next few DAYS Strengthening pheasants III detected
and sulky frame of mind. Ills father smiled within
himself and held hi, tongue. though he showed by
his manner that he did not intend to bc triied
with When he considered that he might safely
speak. he said ore morning, with assumed careless
"Wcll. my boy. what are Won gong to Goi'
"lIn gong 10 shoot over BaIlcys farm replied
"Nonsensc You know what am referring to-"
said the old man, turning red. =" am speaking OF
this dotic love affair" =.
"Oh! Well. Of course, must keep my word
said Tom, with flushed check .. o,y
What! Won haven't written to break 1t ohF
said Mr.. Moiyneux, feignIng surprise,
mo, guvnOT | haven't" said Tom. Il hoped
yon would have softeneG by this time"
And | believed you would have remembered
that. your first duty was to obey your father
cried the old man. beginning to boil. DO you
mean TO tell nc that you still contemplate marry
ing IA drossmakerV
"Shc has sold her business, father" said Tom.
eagerly. "She might have done better had she
waited bit, but out OF Difference TO your
MY wishes!" interrupted Mr.. Moynoux. arCrilv.
u don't care if she carries on twenty businesses.
What say - that YOU shall never Diarry her with
my consent. That's all"
ii should be very sorry. to, dsobey you, father"
began Tom. graycly. "but-'
Look here, my boz" interrupted tho old gentle
nan. quickly. speaking with unnatural calnness,
l. lei us understand each other. forbid this fool
sh engagement, and | order You to break IT of
That is my bark. Now for my bite.
on leave my house within an hour, and unless
,ou inform Iae In the course Of a week that the
ifair is al m end, | stop supplies. II You persist
n marrying he girl. thea by heaven! ] viii alter
nv will and leave every farthing possess to your
'onsin Ted in facI | Will make hin my heir and
discard you a together"
Ii is doubtful whether the old Dan would have
-caIly carried ont this serious threat, for he was
-ond of his son. and proud of him IN way, but he
ooked very determined when he uttered 1t aud
Tom was evidently impressed. The lad dropped
ms ewes before his fathers irate glance, and the
uddy color lief, his cheeks for an instant
lyon know, TOa," he added, noticing the whole |
,ome effect of his words "yOu are entirely de