Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-04-21
from London Truth
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, having
taken over at the same time the good
will, so to speak, of its former owner
socialinfuence and dignity. In consid-
GRAFTON of his great wealth, his neigh
bors charitably ignored the fact that
his father had been small trades
man, and that he himself had carried
on a lucrative business in the hard
ware linefo many years. He was not
O. bad old fellow, his vulgarity being
of subdued and lnoffensive kind, and
consequently he was received In the
best 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 Laburnum's
daughters. There seemed no reason
why this suspicious event should not
come about, for the Lady Florence
looked kindly upon Master Tom, and
his lordship had more than once hint
ed that be would raise no objection.
Lord Laburnum was the lord lieuten-
ant of the county, and an alliance
with his family meant admission into
the most aristocratic circles.
Unfortunately Master Tom was
rather a scape-grace, and his father
preferred to let him see a little of the
world before revealing the high honors
that were in store for him. The fact
was that Tom showed no prediction
whatever for the Lady Florence, and
he was just at that democratic age
when 81 youth Is apt to underrate So
cial advantages. The old man hoped
that when Tom had had his fling he
would begin to awaken to the respon-
sibilities of his position and be amen
able to reason. He knew that Tom
was raising very respectable crop of
debts, and that before long his pater-
nal assistance would be sought. When
the crisis arrived, he intended to make
known his wishes, and to take advan-
tage of the lads embarrassment to
impose conditions. Meanwhile, as
Tom seemed to have given his heart q
parent danger of his seriously COM
promising his affections.
One day, however, the young man
came down from town, where he was
ostensibly studying for the bar, and
with a very grave and determined air
announced that he was engaged to be
married. Old Mr.. Molyneux nearly
had fit of apoplexy on the spot, and
when Tom proceeded to state that the
young lady earned her own living by
carrying on the business of dress
maker 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 poverty of her family
was her only crime. His father be-
came more and more furious, until
Tom showed symptoms OF fat REBEL.
ion.
"Think of your positionin the coun-
typ cried old Mr.. Molyneux, perceiv-
ing this, and wisely making an effort
to control himself. II will take it for
granted, if you like, that the girl is an
exemplary character. She may be
ladylike and well educated and all the
rest Of it. But her station is altogeth-
er inferior to yours"
Il don't see that" said Tom, stub
bornly.
"Why, of course. It is ridiculous"
said the old gentleman, swelling with
seif-importance. 'Her father, you
say, is a poor out-at-elbows devil of a,
clerk IN the city"
1--WE never noticed his coat had
holes in it," retorted Tom. Gas 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, sirp' cried old Mr.. Molly
neux, Infatuated at this reference to
his own origin. ''It would be just as
sensible to say that you and l are the
equals of Lord Laburnum because
Adam was our common ancestor.
What does it matter if I was once a
clerk in the city? l have since at
tanned a superior grade in the social
scale, and that is the fact that must