Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-09-13
LADY FlTzNUDLE'S "PECOOLIER
NOTIONS.


though she ought to have known better.
And the cause of their misery was that
the heir of all the Fitznudles wanted to
marry a barmaid. When Captain Fitz-
nude limited at the project to Sir Philip,
the old gentleman almost had fit. On
recovering himself sufficiently to speak,
he was very stern and peremptory.
"Jack," he said, when his son tried to
explain that the girl, though only bar
maid, was respectfully connected and OF
the most unblemished character Jack,
Pll hear no more on the subject. All /
can say is this, if you disgrace yourself
and me by marrying this woman, III cut
you off with shilling~
What the old gentleman really meant
was that his wife would cut Jack off with
a shilling, he himself not having a shlll-
ing of his own to cut Jack off with. Lady
Fitznudle had all the money in the family
lust as Sir Philip had all the blood. 1t
might be thought, considering her own
lowly origin, that Lady Fitznudle would
have sympathized with her sons fondness
for woman of no birth; but it was quite
the opposite. Lady Fitznudle felt that
Just as Sir Philip, through their marriage
shared her money, so she, through their
marriage, shared mis- blood she, accord
ingly, manifested all the same exclusive
ness and pride of birth which one might
have expected from the lady mentioned
by Lord Tennyson, who occupied the ex-
traordinary and unique position of being
the daughter OF no less than hundred
Earls.
"What shall we do% cried Sir Philip
in despair, when, after jacks departure to
Join his regiment, the old Baronet and
Lady Fitznudle were discussing the dread
full situation.
81 don't know" answered her Ladyship
dolefully. "It's dreadful And he's such
headstrong boy. Nothing we can say or
do is likely to change him."
81 think we should speak to Silas," sug-
gested Sir Philip. Silas was Lady Fitz-
nudle's brother-an American millionaire,
who spent considerable portion of his
time in Europe.
Lady Fitznudle shook her head.
Nobody has so much influence over
Jack as he has" argued Sir Philip.
81 think that Silas himself is greatly to
blame for this trouble" said her Ladyship.
s'Why, be-he himself-disgraced US all
by marrying a lady clerk !''-the aristo-
cratic Silas' father had begun life as a
peddIer. "And he's always talking non
sense about equality and that sort of thing.
Really, | blame Silas for running our poor
Jack by his own bad example and bad ad
vice."
Sir Philip reflected for a moment.
"Well, that may be so, Florriegp he
said "but, still, if anyone can change
Jacks mind, it is Silas. Let US ask him
to speak to him. If he won't do SO, no
harm is done; if he will, he may save the
boy"
With some reluctance Lady Fitznudle
consented, and letter was dispatched to
Silas Gutter, who with his family was stay
ing in Paris. requesting him to come to the
Fitznudles for few days, as his sister
wanted his aid and advice on a matter of
the most pressing Importance. Silas re-
piled by telegram-which was his usual
mode of communication-that he would be
in London the following day.
He arrived according to his promise, and
the Fitznudles Immediately con6ded to
him their woes.
ats bad business" he said. 81 sup
pose the gal has no character worth speak
ing off, a g.; pin.
wen, QOn KNOW, Sdlu OH HiiIpj
hesitatingly; "Jack said something about
her character being without blemlsh, but
! wouldn't listen"
"Oh," said the American, with look of
surprise. He reflected in silence for
moment.
"Then," he said at last, 81 spose her
people are bad lots, or something of that
sort?"
"Well, l don't know" said Sir Philip,
again h hssitat,ng. Jack said something
about them being most respectable"
"Oh," said the American, looking still
more surprised. Again he reflected.
"Then," he said, II s'pese she's very un
educated?"
swell, | really don't know" said Sir
Philip, still hesitating. "Jack said that
she was very well educated"
"Oh," said the American; and now his
look changed from surprise to bewilder-
ment. But again he reflected.
"Well," he said at length, "I s'pose it's
all plain enough, but | amt used to the
pecoolier notions of this country, and Pm
blessed if see where the trouble comes
an. What's wrong with the young wo-
mani"
@My dear Silas" said Lady Fitznudle,
''she's barmaid."
"Yes; 1 understand" said Silas; "she
sells drinks. Well what about that? So
did the Marchioness of Gooseberry and
Lady Randolph Rattle-you remember,
at the Frost Carnival affair? No. Lady
Randolph didn't sell drinks, she sold cigars
charged half sovereign for one worth
five cents, and raised the price to a sover-
eign if she bit the end off for you. Don't
you remember
''Oh, you don't understand" said Lady
Fitznudle. LADY Gooseberry and Lsdy
Randolph were only selling for charity.
This young woman does it for living"
"Ah, yes, l see," said the American.
''The shame is not in the selling drinks,
but in being forced for livelihood to sell
them. | understand now You see amt
used to the pecooier notions of this
country"
And the American reflected in silence
for moment or two on the "peeoolier no
tions OF this country" and then he spoke
again.
81 s'pose it's all right" sid he "You
want me to speak to Jack. Pll do so, but
if don't convince him I'll not be sur
prised He's very sensible fellow"
Mr.. Gutter kept his word. He did speak
to Jack, and the result was duly communi
Gated to Jacks anxious parents. After
prolonged argument Jack had been in
duced, it seems, to give his uncle prom
ise not to have communication nor TO at
tempt to see the young lady who had at
tracted his admiration during the next
two months. By the end of that period
it was hoped he would see the folly Of his
attachment.
II is hardly necessary to say that Mr.
Gutter, when he returned from Aldershot
to London, received the fervent thanks of
the Fitznudes. He accepted these in a
rather complacent way. Then, with a