Evening journal., 1892-08-29
HIS GROOM.


loughhy had just finished stabing his
horse after returning from a card party
The ride had not been long enough TO act
as tonic and he was still heavy with
whisky and want of sleep as he went
stumbling along through the staclxyard.
Suddenly, with all the speed of mill
tary proiectile, black figure shot down
the slope Of a small stack and fetched M
sharp just at his feet. The face. the
clothes, the hands Of this apparition were
all black, and its smile, meant to be pleas
ant. showed like CHASTITY grin through
the mist.
ooh, the devilr' cried Simpson Will
loughby, in a tipsy fright, and proceeded
TO bolt for the house.
"Hi, mister. hiF' shouted the putative
devil.
The sound Of a human. Enthusiastically
human, voice restored Willoughby TO him
self
"what are you doing herel' he thun-
dered. as he STROBE to the black shape.
"Who are you? Why do you stand grin
ming there2 Dont you know could have
you up before the magistrates for thissn
"NOU much, good sir Nothing TO get
out Of me, sir. I'm only'a poor sweep as
took the liberty of sleeping in your straw"
"Sweep be d-dl Clear off the prem
Uses at once"
Then MIR. Willoughby strobe of again.
But he had a tender heart, and something
in the mans face and attitude had touched
it.
'1Ii, you sweep" he suddenly shouted,
turning around.
"Yes, sir" with a touch of the hand to
the cap.
where are you going to get your break
fast"
Don't know, sir"
"And probably don't know if you will
get breakfast at allsp
mo, sir.n
fCome with me-"
Mr.. Willoughby led the way TO the
kitchen door; his housekeeper was up and
moving about.
Here, Mrs Clack, I've brought you a
sweep; you said yesterday the chimncys
wanted sweeping. Give him a good break
fast-beef and beer-then set him 10 work. 4"
"Thank ye, sir" said the sweep; then, 10
Mrs Clack, with very humble intona-
tion, "Fine morning, missis."
Mr.. Willoughby went 10 his bedroom,
kicked off his boots, and drawing a rug
over his limbs, lay down on the bed and
dark face still retaining some traces Of
early good looks. His youth he had spent
in London, none exactly knew how; some
said as an artist, others said as a novelist;
all agreed he had consumed his substance
in riotous living. When his father lied
and he came to settle at Holt Hill, he came
with bad reputation As he was forty
and did not marry, the bad reputation
rapidly grew worse. He had some faults,
it is true; he played cards freely, drank
heavily, and then he had "a mysterious
past. The clergy and all respectable mar
ried people held aloof from him; the young
ladies admired him and trembled; the
young men said he was much maligned
When he woke, the sun was high in the
heavens. He rose at once, had a cold tub
and then a good breakfast. "Now for the
sweep" said he lie found him at work
in the dining room.
"Well, Mr.. Sweep, how are you getting
ong,
on very nicely, thank sc, sir"
care those all the tools you havei"
pointing a contemptuous foot at brush
and a few rods lying bout.
Eyes, sir"
"But they won't go to the top, surelyr
eyes, sir, they will"
"Howg"
81 shall 90 up the Chimney after them"
"But you might stick"
"No fear, sir, in a good, old fashioned
chimney like this. Besides if / did what
matter, sir? It's all ia a days work"
Mr.. Willoughby turned away. The soft
spot in his heart was touched again.
He went out and strolled around the
place. in the garden, the fold yard, the
stables Then it occurred to him that he
wanted groom, q groom who would not
object TO do a little work in the rarden, "a
sit up for him at nights, to act occasion
ally as valet and in other capac ties. He
returned to the sweep and found him in
one Of the bedrooms hard at work and
singing softly to himself.
Here, Mr.. Sweep
"Tom Sampler, sir"
'Well, then, Tom Samplerl Would you
like to settle downw
"How, sirW
"Take a situation, mean"
GAS whatW
Gas my groom and man Of all work. Dc
you know anything about horsesg"
"Yes, sir; / was bred for a jockey"
"Goodn
"But had to give it mp, sir. Couldn't
Ildll N0WM NAlthll tllluEus - very nNA
job for me, sir"
VERY; but stick TO the point. Do you
feel inclined to settle down here in my
serviceY
"If you'll have me, sir"
81 suppose you can't bring any testi
monials as to character?n
afraid not sir Don't know any re
spectacle people. Pm only a travelling
sweep, here today gone tomorrow. Taxi
me month en- trial, sir"
every good; a months trial Consider
yourself engaged, fifteen shillings a week
with keep. VIII that do!"
Eyes, sir; thank ye."
And now go on with the chimneys, only
no more climbing, mind you. I'll so anC
arrange with Mrs. Clack"
And so Tom Sampler settled down. H'
had been a jockey and then vagrani
sweep. His antecedents were not reassur
ing, but clean clothes, regular diet an'
regular employment reformed him, an'
perhaps the feeling that he was trustee
helped him more than anything. vii
loughby took a strong fancy TO him anl
let him into his confidence i'm q small way
Tom adored his master When Willougl