The Somerset reporter., 1886-01-27

human love- so tried, so true,
That knows nor mcte nor bound,
But follows with unwearcd watch
Our daily changing round!
Love dcvine, o Love supreme,
What matter where sail,
So but know, whereer 90,
Thy watch will never fail.
SELECTED.
MASTER TOMS ENGAGEMENT.
Old Mr.. Molyneux was immensely pro d
of his position as the country magnate.
| He lived in feudal castle which he had
bought cheaply, having taken over at the
same time the good ill, so to speak, of
its former owners ocial influence and
dignity In consideration of h great
wealth his neighbors charitably ignored
the fact that his father had been small
trade man, and that h himself had car
ried on lucrative business in the hard
/ ware line for many years. He was not
| bad old fc low, his vulgarity being of a
su dued d inofiensive kind, and conse
quently he was received in the best I'M
ty society. But he aspired to even great
er distinction, for his pet project was to
marry his only son, Tom, to one of the
Ear of Labur UNI daughters. There
seemed no season wy thi> suspicious
event should not come about, for the
Lady Florence looked kindly upon Mas
ter Tom, an his lordship had more than
once limited that he 'ould raise no objec-
ton Lord Laburnum was the lord-lieu-
tenant of the county, and an alliance with
his family mea admission into the most
aristocratic circles.
Unfortunately Master Tom was rather
a scapegrace, and his father preferred to
let him see little of the world before
revcalin, the high honors that were in
in store for him. The fact was that Tom
| -howed no predilect on whatever for the
Lady Florence, and he was just at that
democratic age when youth is apt to
underrate social advantages. The old
; man hoped that when Tom had had hi,
, fling he would b gin to awake to the re-
sp Utilities of his position and be anne
nabe to reason. He knew that Tom was
raising very respectable crop of debts,
and that before long his paternal assist
ance would be sought. When the crisis
rived, he int ded to make known his
wishes, and to take advantage of the lads
Meanwhile as Tom seemed o have given
his heart rowing nm ssion there was
no apparent da ger of his seriously com
promising his affections
One d however, the young man came
down from town, where he was ostensi-
bly, studying for the bar, and with very
gr We and Diet rmined air announced that
he was engaged to he III rried. Old Mr..
Molyneux nearly had n fit of apoplexy on
the spot, and when Tom proceeded to
state that G young lady earned her own
living by carrying on theDabusiness of a
dressmaker at the West End, his horror
a Indignation knew no bounds. In
vain Tom pleaded that Miss Fabian was a
ady by birth and education, and that the
poverty of her family was her only crime.
His father became more and more furious
until Tom showed symptoms of fiat rebel
lion.
"Think of your position in the county,"
cried old NJ MolyneuX, perc living this,
and wisely making an effort to control
him elf. 81 will take it for granted, If
yo like, hat the girl is an xemplary
character She may be ladylike and well
educated and all the rest of it. But her
station is alto ether inferior to yours"
Il don't see that said Tom stubborn
ly.
"Why, of course. 1t is ridiculous"
s id the old gentleman, swelling with
self-importance. Her father, you say,
is poor out-at-elbows devil Of clerk II
the city,
"I've never noticed his coat had holes
in it," ret rted 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 internal radical non
sense here, sir cried old Mr.. Molyn ux,
Infatuated t this reference to his own
or gin. 1T would be just n ,ensblc to
say that you and are the equals of Lord
Laubrnum because Adam was our COM
mon ancestor. What does it matter if
was once clerk in the city? have
since attained a superior grade in the So
| cial scale, and that il he fact that must
be faced BY marrying the daughter OF a
city clerk, who earns her living by dress
making, you would be making a mesal-
lance.
Just as Lady Florence would by mar
rying me-" said Tom, look ny wonderfully
innocent.
"Who is talking about Lady Florence?
said old Mr.. MolyneuX, taken aback by
this unexpected thrust.
"Nobody--only have an idea you wish
me to marry GU of my station" rctorted
Tom.
al don't wish you to marry at all, sir,
not for many IA long year, cried the old
man, ia RI, noDplussed.
what | mean is, father said Tom
doggedly, "that see no mo e harm in
marrying below ones sta ion--to use
your own term--than in marrying above
| 1t If one is wrong the other must be-"
"Stuff and nonsense, sir! You don't
know what you're talking about ex-
claimed Mr.. Molyneux. II don't want to
have an argument with you. The long
and short of the matter is that won't
hear of this foolish engagement. There!
1t is no use talking. Let there be an end
of it or shall have something very UNI
pleasant to say.
The old man bounced out of the room
as he spoke, not a little startled and
amazed at his sons tone and attitude.
Hitherto Tom had never venturcd to ar
que with him, par ly from tilial duty and
partly from inherent weakness of charac-
ter. He began to fear that the lad pos
sessed unexpected firmness, until he
soothed his mind by the reflection that he
had probably been carefully coached for
the interview. This suspicion explained
Master Toms unaccustomed readiness Of
repartee, which had made him appear
dangerous adversary. Relieved In his
mind by the discovery, old Mr. Molyneux
gradually cooled down and completely re-
covered his self confidence. lie cas- ly
convinced himself that Tom would never
dare to disobey him, and instead of feel
ing the least apprehensive Of the marriage
taking place, he was only uneasy lest ru-
mors Of the engagement should reach the
I.aburnums.
| He pru,lcntly resolved to treat the mat
ter ~ definitely disposed of and to make
no further allusion to 1t at all events, un-
I'll Tom had had time for reflection.
Judging from appearances the lad seemed
cOmnletalv suhsiued He sDcnt the next