Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1893-03-04
tons had been greatly altered. From
many causes, such as a change in the


many causes, such as change in the
government, demand for economy,
and the wording of his contracts hay
ing been differently rendered from
what Willemott had supposed their
meaning to be, large items had been
struck out of his balance sheet, and
instead of being a millionaire he was
now a gentleman with handsome
property. Belem castle had been
sold, and he now lived at Richmond,
as hospitable as ever, and was con
sidered great addition to the neigh
borhood | took the earliest oppor-
tunity Of going down to see him.
"Oh, my dear Reynolds, this is
really kind Of you to come without
invitation. Your room is ready and
bed we'll aired, for it was slept in
three nights ago. Come. Mrs. Willie
mott will be delighted to see you.
l found the girls still unmarried,
but they were yet young The whole
family appeared as contented and
happy and as friendly as before. We
sat down to dinner at 6 o'clock. The
footman and coachman attended.
The dinner was good, but not by the
artistic extraordinaire.
l praised everything. Yes" re-
piled he, she is a very good cook :;
she unites the solidity of the English
with the delicacy of the French fare,
and altogether think it decided
improvement. Jane is quite treas
ure." After dinner he observed: ''Of
course you know l have sold Belem
castle and reduced my establishment.
Government has not treated me fair
ly, but / am at the mercy of commits
sioners, and body Of men will do
that which as individuals they would
bc ashamed of.
The fact is, the odium is borne by
no one in particular, and it is only
the sense of shame which keeps us
honest. l ain afraid. However, here
you see me. with a comfortable for
tune, and always happy to see my
friends, especially my old schoolfel
low. Will you take port or claret;
the port is very fine, and SO is the
elaret. By the bye. do you know
III let you into family secret
Louisa is to be married to a Colonel
Willer-an excellent matchl 1t has
made us all happy
The next day we drove out, not in
an open carriage, as before. but in a
chariot and with a pair of horses.
These are handsome horses OBJ
served l.
Yes" replied he, Il am fond of
good horses, and as only keep pair
| have the best There is a certain
degree Of pretension in four horses ]
do not much like-it appears as if
you wished to overtop your neigh
bors.'
spent a few very pleasant days
and then quit his hospitable roof. A
severe cold. caught that winter, in
duced me to take the advice of the
physicians and proceed to the south
of France. where | remained two
years. On my return was informed
that Willemott had speculated and
had been unlucky on the Stock Ex-
change; chat he had left Richmond
and was now living at Clapham. The
next day | met him near the ex-
change.
Reynolds, am happy to see you
Thompson told me that you had come
back If not better engaged, come
down to see me. will drive you
down at 4 o'clock if that will suit"
1t suited me very we'll, and at
o'clock l met him according to ap
pointment at a livery stable over the
Iron Bridge. His vehicle was ordered
out. 1t was phaeton drawn by two
long tailed onies-altogether very
neat concern We set off at a rapid
p;.re.
They step out well, don't they2
We shall be down in plenty of time
to put on pair of shoes by 5 o'clock,
which is our dinner time. Late din
ners don't agree with me-they pro
duce Indigestion OF course you
know that Louisa has little boy
did not, but congratulated him.
Yes, and has now gone out to In
dia with her husband. Mary is also
engaged to be marlied-a very good
match-a Mr.. Rivers, in the law. He
has been called to the bar this year
and promises well. They will be a
little pinched at first, but we must
see what we can do for them.
We stopped at a neat row Of houses,
forget the name. and as we drove
up the servant, the only manservant,
came out and took the ponies round
to the stable, while the maid received
my luggage and one or two paper
bags containing a few extras for the
occasion. was met with the same
warmth as usual by Mrs Willemott.
The house was small, but very neat.
The remnants of former grandeur
appeared here and there in one or
two little articles, favorites of the
lady. We sat down at o'clock to a
plain dinner and were attended by
the footman who had rubbed down
the ponies and pulled on his livery.
"A good plain cook is the best thing,
after all, observed Willemott. Your
fine cooks won't condescend to roast
and boil. Will you take some of this
sirloin2 The under cut is excellent.
My dear, give Mr.. Reynolds some
Yorkshire pudding
When we were left alone after din