Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-02-27
CHANGED HIS MIND.

Old Mr.. MolyneuX was immensely
proud of his position as the country
magistrate He lived in feudal castle
in Great Britain which he had bought
chcaply, having tlken over at the same
time the good will, so to speak, of its
former owners social influence and dig
nifty. In consideration of his great wealth
MS ncighbors charitably ignored the
fact that his father had been a small
tradesman, and that he himself had car
red on lucrative business in the hard
ware line for many years. He was not a
bad old fellow, his vulgarity being of a
subdued and inoffcnsive kind, and CON
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 Laburnums daughters.
There seemed no reason why this auspic-
ious event should not come about, for
the Lady Florence looked kindly upon
Master Tom, and his lordship had more
than once limited that he would raise no
objection. Lord Laburnum was the
lord lieutenant of the county, and ALI
ance with his family meant admission
into the most aristocratic circles.
Unfortunately Master Tom was rather
scapegracc. and his father preferred to
let him see little of the world before
revealing the high honors that were in
store for him.
One day, however, the young man came
down from town, where he was ostensi-
bly, studying for the bar, and with very
grave and determined air announced that
he was engaged to be married. Old Mr..
Molyncux nearly had "A fit of apopleXy on
the spot, and when Tom began to state
that the young lady earned her own liv-
ing by carrying on the business of q
dressmaker at the West End his horror
and indignation knew no bounds. In vain
Tom pleaded that Miss Fabian was a lady
by birth and education, and that the pow
erty of Ecr family was her only crime.
His father became more and more furi-
GUS, until Tom showed symptoms of flat
rebcli H.
Think of your position in the coun-
ty!" cried old Mr.. Molyneux, pcrceiving
this, and wisely making an effort to con-
troll himself. II will take it for granted,
if you like, that the girl is an exemplary
character. She may be alyiike and tie
rest of it. But her station is altogether
ualeIlor 10 yours.
81 don't see that" said Ton, stub
bornly.
"Why, of course 1t is ridiculous"
said the old gentleman, swelling with
importance ''Her father, you say,
is poor at elbows clerk in the city"
II never noticed that his coat had
holes in it," retorted Tom. ''As 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 radical nonsense, sir"
cried old Mr.. Molyncux, Infatuated at
this reference to his own origin. at
would be just as sensible to say that you
and l are the equals of Lord Laburnum
because Adam was our common ances-
tor. What does it matter if / was Il
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 drcssmaking,
you would be making a mcss-alliance. |
don't want to have an argument with
you. The long ard short of the matter
is, that l won't hear of this foolish en-
gagcment. There! 1t is no use talking
Let there be an end ofit, or l shall have
something very unpleasant to say
The old man bounced out of the room
as he spoke, not little startled and
amazed by his sons tone and attitude
Hitherto Tom hal Ecyer venturcl II
argue with him. He began to fear that
the lad possessed unexpected tirmrc;s.
He prudently resolved to treat the matter
as definitely disposed of, and to make no
further allusion to it-at all events until
Tom had time for reflection. Judging
from appearances, the lad seemed com
pletcly subdued He spent the next few
days Strengthening phcasants in detected
and sulky frame of mind. His father
smiled with himself and hell his
tongue, though he showed by his manner
that he did not intend to be tritled with
When he considered that he might sa.c!y
speak, he said one morning, with an as
sumcd carelcSsncss
We'll, my boy, what arc you going to
do?"
''Oh? Well, of course, | must keep
my word" said Tom, with flushed
check
What! you haven't written to break
it off," said Mr.. Molyneux, feignimg sur
prise.
''No guv'nor, haven't. l hoped YOU
would have softcnel by this time.
She has sold her business, father said
Tom, eagerly. '.Shc might have done
better had she waited a bit, but out of
Difference to your wishes"
"My Wishes" interrupted Mr.. Molly
neux, angrily. Il don't care if she car
ried on twenty businesses. What | saw
is that you Shall never marry her with
my consent That's ALL"
II should be very sorry to disobey you,
father" began Tom, gravcly, but"
Look here, my boy interrupted the
old gentleman, quickly, speaking with
unusual calmness, "les us understand
each other. l forbid this foolish en-
and 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
in the course of week that tie
affair is at an end, I stop supplies.
II you persist in marrying the girl, <.len,