Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-23

MASTER TOMS ENGAGEMENT.


MASTER TOMS ENGAGEMENT.
Old Mr. Molyneux was immensely
proud of his position as the county
magnate. He lived in feudal castle
which he had bought cheaply enough,
having taken over at the same time
the good will, SO to speak, of It's form
er owners social infuen ce ard dig,
nifty. In consideration of his great
wealth his neighbors charitably ig-
nored the fact that his father had
been a small tradesman, and that he
himself had carried On lucrative
business in the hardware line for
many years. lie was not bad old
fellow, his vulgarity being Of sub.
dued and inoffensIve!k kind, consequent
ly he was received in the best county
society. But he aspired to even great,
or 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 au
uplcious event should not come about,
for the Lady Florence looked kindly
upon Master Tom, and his Lordshlp
had more than once limited that he
would raise no objection. Lord La
burnum was the Lord Lieutenant of
the county, and an alliance with his
family meant admission into the most
aristocratic circles.
Unfortunately, Master Tom was
rather Bcape grace, and his father
preferred TO let him see little OF the
world before revealing the high hon>
ors that were in store for him. The
fact was that Tom showed no pred
Election whatever for the Lady Flor
ence, and he was just at that demo
cratic age when youth is apt to UNI
derrate 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. lie knew
that Tom was raising very respect
able crop Of debts, and before long his
paternal assistance would be sought.
When the crisis arrived he intended
to Emake his wishes, and to take ID
vantage of tho lads embarrass IT'S
to impose conditions. MGauwhl! as
Tom seemed 10 have given his bcart
to q rowing commission, there was no
apparent danger Of bis seriously com
promising his affections.
Ono day, however, tho young man
came down from town, where he was
ostenslbly studying for the bar, and
with a very grave and determined air
announced that he was engaged to be
married. Old Mr.. Molyncux nearly
had fit Of apoploxy on the spot, and
when Tom proceeded to state that tho
young lady earned her own living by
carrying on the business of dress
making at the West End, his horror
and Indignation knew no bounds. In
vain Tom pleaded that Miss Fabsan
was lady by birth and education,
and that the poverty OF hes family
was her only crime. His father bo-
camo mote and more furious, until
Tom showed symptoms of fiat rebels
lion.
"ThinIl OF your position in the
county" cried old Mr.. Molyneux,
pcrceivmg this, and wisely making
an effort to control himself. Il will
take it for granted, if you like, that
the girl is an exemplary character.
She may be ladylike and well educat
ed, and all the rest of it. But her
station is altogether inferior TO yours.
Il don't see that" said Tom, stub
boruly.
"Why, of course Ii is ridiculous, !"
said the old gentleman, swelling with
self-importance.~ Her father, you say,
IS II poor out at elbows devil Of clerk
ia the city"
1--WE never noticed his coat had
holes in it, =" retorted Tom. LAS for
his being 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 internal radical
nonsense here, sirr' cried old Mr.
MolyneuX, mfuriated at this refer
ence to his own origin. 1T would be
just as sensible to say that you and |
are the equals Of Lord Laburnum be
cause Adam was our common ances-
tor. What does it matter if ] was
once a clerk i'll the city2 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 BIZ making a
misalliance."
"Just as Lady Florence would be by
marrying me-" said Tom, looking
wonderfully innocent.
WHO is talking about Lady Flor
encei' said old Mr.. Molyneux, taken
aeack by this unexpected thrust.
Nobody only l have an idea you
wish me to marry out Of my station,
retorted Tom.
IL don't wish you to marry at all,
sir, not for many a long year, cried
the old man, fairly nonpluSsed
What | mean is, father, said Tom,
doggedly, that l see no more harm
IN marrying below ones Statiou-to
use your own term-th8n in marrying
above 1t. If one is wrong the other
must be
stuff and nonsense, sirl You
don't know what you're talking
about" exclaimed Mr.. Molyneux. Il
don't want TO have an argument with
you. The long and short of the mats
ter is, that l won't hear Of this foolish
engagement. There! Ii is no use
talking. Let there be an end of 1t, or
l shall have something very uupleas-
ant to say"
The old man bounced out OF the
room as he spoke, not a little ST -s
and amazed by his sons tone am IS
titude. Hitherto Tom had never ' :
tured to argue with hum, partly from
hhnal duty and partly from inherent
weakness of character He begun to
fear that the lad possessed unex pected
firmness, until he soothed his mind by
the reelection that he had probably
been carefully coaxed for the inter-
view. This suspicion explained Mas
ter Toms unaccustomed readiness of
rspartee, which had made him appear
a dangerous adversary. Relieved in
mind by the discovery, old Mr.. Molly
neuX gradually cooled down, and
completely recovered his self>confi-
dence. He easily convinced himself
that Tom would never dare to discbey
him, and, instead of feeling the least
apprehensive of the marriage taking
place, he was only uneasy lest rumors
of the engagement should reach the
Laburnums.
BE prudently resolved to treat the
matter as definitely disposed of, and to
make no further allusion TO tat all
events until Tom had time for ref1ec-
4.n-. Tudoinu FROM, apnao 20 poas +ba