Mower County transcript., 1890-01-22

aArodQys SOO0 opinion O1 04m was con-
siderably enhanced. Il. .7@ I. +.
lam always ready, sir, "she said, ito
assist, as far as my means allow, per-
sons deserving my sympathy"
II know 1t, madam" replied Mr..
Burke; but the assis tance I want from
you is not pecuniary assistance; I mere
" want your help to put me into posi-
tion whore Loan earn my bread"
'1ndeed," said Mrs. Truccle, still
more favorahly impressed. May I ask
for little information as to your an
tecedents and claims?"
Certainly, madam" answered Mr..
Burke with . sigh, although the SUBJ
ject is to me most painful one. be-
long to that most unfortunate class Of
men, Irish landlords. still nominally
possess considerable estate near Ball
vmulwaekina, and am cousin to Lord
Grabmore of that neighborhood. of
whom, perhaps, you have heard"
ooh, yes," put in Mrs. Truccle,
quickly, II met him once at a Primrose
League meeting"
''Ah, said Mr.. Burke with satis-
faction, then we are not quite such
strangers after all. When called at
your door little knew that you and my
distinguished relative were friends"
"Well," said Mrs. Truccle, blushing q
little at the idea of being thought q
friend of the great Lord Grabmore.
''Well, we're hardly friends"
''At least, acquaintances," said Mr..
Burke. "But to resume, madam. Some
years ago my income from that estate
was counted in thousands; to-day, I
don't receive from it a penny. My wife,
who once had her carriage and her foot
man, is now actually in want of bread"
Dreadful, dreadful" exclaimed Mrs.
Truccle.
"You may we'll say so, madam. We
have neither bread to eat no a roof to
cover us. 1t is in this fearful state that,
as last resort, have come to you to
ask you to assist me to obtain place
where I can earn enough to keep body
and soul together." And Mr.. Burke, as
he spoke, nearly sobbed with emotion.
''Mr. Burke, you may rely on me, 3"
cried Mrs. Truccle. "What sort OF q
place would you uKo?
''Madam, your kindness overpowers
me-" said MIR. Burke, in broken voice,
''and yet it is what should have ex-
pected. Madam, I was brought up a
gentleman, and so know none of the
vulgar ways of earning livelihood.
The places l am capable of filling are
only humble ones. I can think of one
only. Many people of fashion-your-
self, probably, among the number-will
soon be leaving town. Caretakers will
be wanted to look after the houses. Do
you think you could get any of the
nobility or gentry of your acquaintance
to accept the service of myself and wife
in this direction?'
'Certainiy, Mr.. Burke, most cer-
tainly," said Mrs. Truccle. Gas you
guess, I'm leaving town myself for my
house at Hastings taking my serv-
ants with me. 1 usually get police
man to live here when I'm away, but I
shall only be too happy to have you and
your wife instead"
Mr.. Eustace Burke overpowered the
good lady with fervent thanks. He as
sured her over and over again that she
lad saved him and his poor wife from
absolute starvation, and that he never
could, should or would forget her kind
ness to him. Then at last he rose to go.
It was only now that he was about to
leave that it occurred to Mrs. Truccle
that she was acting with hardly her
usual prudence. In her charitable haste
to help the distinguished pauper she
Id quite forgotten to ask him for refer
eNces to show that he was as distin-
guished as he said. Now, however, that
she and he had, as it were, become ac-
quainted, she felt rather embarrassed
about asking him for references Of char
acter; it seemed like throwing doubt on
his truthfulness and honor. Still she
felt that it must be done. AS, therefore,
he moved toward the door, she said, in
hesitating way:
'But, Mr.. Burke, perhaps you would
be so kind-.'' And with this she came
to full stop.
Mr.. Burke, in a moment, perceived
what she meant, and came to her relief.
ooh, I understand, madam" he said,
with smile. ''How stupid of me, to be
sure, not to have thought of it before!
OF course, you want references to prove
to you that am who represent myself
to be, and that my sad story's true. I
think have letters with me that will
satisfy you on both points"
He took a number of letters from his
pocket, and, selecting two from among
them, handed them to Mrs. Truccle.
One was from Rev. Mr.. Mortmain, vicar
of Snobton, and knight almoner of the
Primrose League. It ran as follows:
CURSOR AND SwAREN HAB1rAT1oN, p. LII
SNOBTON.
Rev. Mr.. Moftmain, Vicar of Snobton and
knight allnoner of the Primrose League, is
deeply grieved to learn how the pertidious
policy of the murder league in Ireland has
reduced Mr.. Eustace Burke from affluence to
poverty, and strongly recommends the case
of this unfortunate scion of a noble house,
ruined by the dishonesty and covetousness
of the lower orders. to the benevolent con.
sideration of the happier members of his own
class.
The other was from the great Marquis
of Gooseberry himself-or rather from
his private secretary. 1t ran as follows:
s1R-The Marquis of Goosberry directs me
to return you the inclosed letter of recon.
mendation and to forward you check for
two Ruineas Yours Obedientlv,