Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-10-15

"She has sold her business, faith
er," said Tom, eagerly. "She might
have done better had she waited a
bit, but out of Difference to your
wishes"
"My wishes!" interrupted Mr.,
Molyneux, angrily. II don't care if
she carries on twenty businesses.
What say is that you shall never
marry her with my consent. That's
ALL"
II should be very sorry to disobey
you, father" began Tom, gravely,
s'but-"
"Look here, my boy" interrupted
the old gentleman, quickly speaking
with unnatural calmness, 'let US un-
derstand each other. 1 forbid this
foolish engagement, and 1 order you
to break it off instantly. That is
my bark. Now for my bite. You
leave my house within an hour, and
unless you inform me within the
course of week that the affair is at
an end, I stop supplies. If you per-
sist in marrying the girl, then, by
heaven! 1 will alter my will and leave
every farthing I possess to your
cousin Ted-in fact will make him
my heir and discard you altogether"
tbs doubtful whether the old man
would have carried out this serious
threat, for he was fond of his son,
and proud of him in a way, but helook-
ed very determined when he uttered
1t. and Tom was evidently impressed.
The lad dropped his eyes before his
fathers irate glance, and the ruddy
color left his cheeks for an instant.
"You know, Tom," he added, motto
ing the wholesome effect of his
words, 'you are entirely dependent
upon me, and unless you took to
poaching, don't see how you could
possibly earn a crust. Besides you
ore up to your ears in debt"
81 don't owe much," said Tom
quickly, with tell-tale blush.
"You will find out that you owe a
good deal when your creditors learn
that 1 have made your cousin Ted
my heir" said the old man enigmat
ically.
Tom was evidently seriously dis
concerted by this remark. He turned
on his heel, muttering something
about catching the next train to
town, leaving his father master Of
the situation. The old man con
sidered he had gained singal vic
tory, and was, therefore, not the least
perturbed when his son started of
to the station with his luggage, ir
literal accordance with his injunction
He did not doubt that Master Ton
would see the folly Of his ways; and
sure enough, two days afterward The
young man reappeared, looking de
cidedly sheepish, and rendered hi
submission. He even brought .
copy of the letter he had written tc
the young lady, which Mr.. Molyneu'
thought little too curt, and matte
of fact, if any fault was to be fount
with it. However, he was not in
clined to be hypercritical in this re
spect, and he heartily spplaudet
Toms action.
"I'm going away for bit, guv'
nor" said the lad, who had WINGED
little at his fathers boisterous good
humor, and seemed half ashamed 0
his conduct. webster and som
other fellows have hired yacht, an
sail for Madeira tomorrow.
"By all means, my boy,' erie
Mr.. Molyneux, secretly delighte
that his son should leave England fo
q while at this juncture; land loo
} here, Tom, while you are away wi
| settle matters with these friends {
yours"
} He produced rather formidab
, list of names and figures as he spok
and Tom started with surprise, (
!. we'll be might. at perceiving how fu
/ and accurate was bis fathers know
edge of his pecuniary embarras
Q ments. The old man cut short b
8 sons confused protestations Of grs
d itude and apology by saying got
u humoredly:
II swell, well, you must turn over
"lnew leaf, my boy. Reasonable eco