The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-30


standing in his own country"
81 suppose it must be good, said Mrs.
Nolen. Il think he said that his family
owned large estate in Cumberland"
SIS he the eldest SOM"
THE next to the eldest, believe"
And what is his business in Amer
ica?"
Il don't know. But great many En-
glish people come here nowadays, you
know. 1t is part of their education. "
Eyes; but some Of them are Petty
well educated before they get here" re-
marked the judge dryly, and occasion
ally they manage TO teach us something
before they leave. There is in England
the same difference between an eldest
son and the other sons that there is be-
tween rich man and a pauper, BY the
law of primogeniture the estates, and
generally the bulk Of the money, goes to
the first born; the other boys get posi-
tons, if they can, in the army, the civil
service or the church. They are seldom
fitted to enter the learned professions,
and it is not considered good form for a
gentleman's son to go into trade. OF
course the army and the church don't
afford accommodation for all applicants,
and the consequence is that every year a
number of young Englishmen are thrown
on the world, who by training and incliLN
ton are good for nothing but to be idle
and ornamental, and who nevertheless
have no means for honestly leading such
a life. They form class Of gentleman
adventures. They are men of agreeable
manners and culture, talk well, look
well, are excellent at cards and billiards.
. and live no one knows how. Some of
them come over here for reasons known
only to themselves; they are very pleas
ant acquaintance, but it is well not to
trust them too far. They have no fixed
place in the world and no responsibility.
"You don't mean that Mr.. Martin is
an adventurer?" demanded Mrs. Nolen.
in voice of faint CONSERVATION.
80 far as know he may be the best
fellow in England. But know nothing
about him one way or the other. How
did Percy become acquainted with him?"
"He met him somewhere-at some
club, imagine"
THAT may be all right, or it may not
At all events, you will see thatyo should
proceed with some circumspection. The
rules that apply to our young men do
not necessarily apply to foreigners. Mr.
Martin may be much better educated
and have more polished and quiet man
ners, than nine out of ten Of your Amer
better that Pauline should marry the
least attractive of the latter than Mr.
Martin"
II wish you would sec him and find
out whether he is nice" said Mrs. Nolen
with anxious earnestness.
Il would willingly do so, but for one
reason" the judge replied, land that is
that the peculiar circumstances might
disqualify me from forming an unbiased
opinion"
"Oh, am not afraid of that My hus-
band used to say that there could be no
one more impartial ard just than you. "
Even assuming that judgment Of his
to have been impartial, l should never
theless be disqualified from presiding at
q trial where, for instance, the prisoner
was charged with the murder of some
friend of my own"
II do not understand. Mr.. Martir
has surely not murdered any one?
BLESS me, no! was only using an
extreme illustration. But Mr.. Martin
might wish to obtain something which
had set my own heart on possessing"
There was a manifest embarrassment
in the Judges manner. Mrs. Noler
looked puzzled. She began to suspect
there was something behind all this, but
she could not divine what it was.
II began life pretty early, as you
know" continued he, after a pause
"Since the age of IA, believe, 1 have
supported myself. Measuring my exist,
ence by that standard, might be called
an old man. But though, in the matter
of years, | am not exactly boy, yet
am but 43 years old, and you will admit
my dear, that men have been known tc
live good deal longer than that"
Il am sure you will live to be twice
49," put in Mrs. Nolen kindly
Half that is all would ask, if
might realize the happiness that hope
for" returned the judge, with faint
smile.
And Is this happiness anything that
! can help to insure you"
II can hardly say that. In fact, it i:
essential in one way that it should come
if come at all, as freely and spoDtane
ously as the sunshine from heaven. New
ertheless, am under obligation TO speak
to you of my hopes, that you may ap
preciate my position and understand my
! conduct" He stopped, and the color
mounted to his face. II love Pauline,
| he said a strong emotion vibrating il
his voice. Il hope to make her love me
and to accept me for her husband"
"Oh, judge!" exclaimed Mrs. Nolen
taken wholly by surprise. She looked
at him intently for few moments, anC
then the startled look in her face soft
ened, and she began to smile. She lief
her chair, and, coming to where he sat
put hand upon his shoulder; an as ht
looked up at her she bent down anC
kissed him upon the forehead. She wa
| still Smilinr hit there were tears in he