New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-17
WILLOUGHBY'S GROOM.

yet, and thin haze chung about, the face OF az
things. Mr.. Simpson WillOughDy Aad just
finished stabing his horse after returning from a
card party. The ride had not been long enough
to act as a tonic, and he was still heavy with
whskey and want of sleep, as he went stumbling
along through the stackyard.
Suddenly, with all the speed of a military
projecne, black figure shot down the slope OF
a small stack and fetched up sharp just at his
feet The face, the clothes, the hands of this
apparition were all black, and its smile, meant
to be pleasant. showed like ghastly grin through
the mist. ~
"Oh, the Devil" cried Simpson Wioughuby
in a, tipsy fright, and proceeded to bolt for
Hi, mister. hi" shouted the putative Devil
The sound of human, unmistakably human
voice restored Willoughby to himself
are you doing he WITH th1ndere9
Why do you stand grinning there? Don't You
know could have you up before the magistrates
for N ,hisP" o, oos =. xo.,,na % 20. or,
liberty of sleeping in your straw.
Sweep be damned Clear of the premises
Then Mr.. willoughby strobe of again. But
he had tender heart, and something in the
mans face and attitude had touched it.
ILL., you sweer!" he suddenly shouted, turning
round
"yes. SIR with a touch of the hand to the
= Where are you going to get your breakfast"
And probably don't know if you will get
breakfast at all ~
"No. sir"
"Come with me-"
Mr.. Willoughby led the way TO the kitchen
door: his house keeper was up and moving about.
Here. Mrs. ClaCk. I've brought you a sweep;
you said yesterday the chimneys wanted sweeping.
Give him good breakfast-beef and beer-then
set him to work"
Thank We. SIR" said the sweep; then, to Mrs.
Clack, with very humble information: zine
morning, mssis'
Mr.. Wnloughby went to his bedroom, kicked
of his boots, and drawing rug over his limbs,
lay down Oh the bed and slept. lie was tall,
broad man. with dark face still retaining some
traces Of early good looks His youth he had spent iu
London, none exactly knew how; some said as an
artist, others said novelist; all agreed he had
consumed his substance in riotous living. When
his father died. and he came to settle at Holt H
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
t1arried people held aloof from him; the young
ladies admired him and trembled; the young men
said he was much maligned.
When lie woke, the sun was high in the heavens
He rose at once. HAD cold tub and then a good
breakfast. Now for the sweep" said he. He
found him at work in the di1ing-room
We'll. Mr.. Sweep how are you getting on ?"
Tom Samplers my name, sir. Getting on
very nicely. thank We. sir"
Are those all the tools you have ?"-pointing
o cOntemptuous foot at a brush and few rods
lying Se soG sIt.,
But they won't 20 TO the top surely?"
Yes. sir. they will.
How"
Il shall go up the chimney after them
But YOU might stick"
No Tear. Sir, in good. Od-faShOned chimney
like this Besides, if did, what matter, sir It's
all in a days work"
Mr. Willoughby turned away. The soft spot in
his heart was touched again.
lie went out and stroed around the place in
the garden the fold-yard. the stables. Then il
occurred TO him that he wanted groom. groom
who would not object 10 do little work in the
garden TO sit up for him at nights TO act occas-
ionally valet and in other capacities
He returned to the sweep, and found
singing softly to himself
Here, Mr.. Sweep"
Tom Sampler sir"
"Well, then. Tom Sampler Would you like
TO settle down."
How, sir ?'
Take situation, mean"
AS my, groom, and man-oof, all-wcrl,. 10 you
know anything about horses ?"
Yes, sir; was bred for jockey
But | had to give It up, sir. Couldn't train
s sGTn quickly enough. a very bad job for me-
Very: but stick to the point. Do you feel
inclined TO settle down here in my service ?"
"lf you'll have me, sir"
i suppose. you can't bring any testimonials
70 character ?"
"Afraid not, sir Don't know any respecta-
bic people. I'm only travelling sweep, here to-
day, gone tomorrow Take me month on trial,
Very good months trial Consider your
self engaged. fifteen shillngs week, with keep
Will that do?"
"Yes. sir, THANK ye"
And now go on with the chimneys, only no
more climbing, mind YOU I'll go and arrange with
And SO Tom Sampler settled down. He had
been jockey, and then vagrant sweep; his ante
cedcnts not reassuring; but clean clothes
regular diet, and regular employment reformed
him, and perhaps the feeling that he trusted
helped him more than anything. Willoughby
took strong fancy 10 him, and let him into
his confidence In small way. Tom adored his
master. When Willoughby went out shooting
Tom carried the game; when he went ont to card
parties, Tom drove him there and back; when
Tom running the machine over the grass
Wllloughby would sit near on garden-seat and
chat. At night, when Tom knocked at the door
Of the smoxng-room, and entered to report his
days work and receive instructions for the NOR
row, Willoughby would sometimes ask him TO
cit down. If the weather was cold, he would
pour him out a glass of whiskey, but he could
never persuade him to take second
Come. Tom, you might as well have another
it's sharp night"
M thank hank ye Sr nust h.v. d,0rt heavily, !,
II have, sir; but never again
Bad example, Sir TO others"
1t this way the worthy fellow strove to lead
his master in the right direction. not without some
result
You have been here year now, Tom," said
Willoughby. one day. Haven't you found out
pretty girl TO marry vct?'
sEo, Sir. don't intend marrying at present"
"Eot at fresent-eb2 When then ?"
"When sou do. sir"
Willoughby laughed aloud but from that dav
he understood Tom perfectly
q He wishes to reform me-" he would sometimes
say to himself; land perhaps he may Who
knows1"
II shall want the brown mare up tomorrow"
said Willoughby TO Tom ono night in the smoking
ROOM I'm going to Mr.. Ferguson's. Well have
the dcg-cart, and you shall drive me, as my
ankle 10 still weak" He had sprained it about
q month before.
None Of them carding-parties, 1 hope, sir"
said Tom
shut the door and sit down."