Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-05-24

success, for their obtrusive vulgarity
was an insurmountable barrier.
A chance, however, appeared to
present itself in tho person of their
only son, Tom. The latter was
handsome, gentlemanly lad, quito un-
like both his parents. He had been u
popular member of good set at Elton.
and had lived there on terms of intim-
aoy with boys tho very mention of
whose name and rank had thrilled the
soap boiler and his wife through and
through with keen sensations of vi
carious pride. One or two of these
young lordlings had actually been to
stay with Tom, and enjoyed Mr.. Bill
fant's lavish hospitality in tho most
affable spirit possible.
After this the exultation of both
Toms parents knew no bounds. They
persevered moro strenuously than
ever with their social efforts, and
talked about dear Toms greatest
friend, Lord Gerald This, or the Hon.
John That, until all their acquaint-
ances grew heartily sick of those
young aristocrats' very names.
From his earliest boyhood, Tom had
expressed desire to go into the
Church when he grow up, and until
he was sixteen or 30, his father had
offered no objection to tho prospect.
But when the boy got i'll with the
young lords Mt Eaton, Mr.. Brilliant
entirely changed his views on the sub
ject. The Church was respectable, no
doubt, md all that, but it was not the
profession for one who aspired to be
distinguished socially.
For Tom especially, with his brill
iant qualities, smart friends, and OK
ceptional opportunities in other ways,
it would bo simple madness to sink
into n humdrum clerical existence.
And when tho lad had ventured to
press the point, he had been 30 severe
ly set upon by both his parents that
he had collapsed incontinently, and
surrendered his intention out of hand.
The conversation above recorded
took place on the young mans last
night at homo before going up to Ok
ford, and was only repetition of
what his father had been impressing
upon him any time during tho last
three months. Not such unpleasant
advice to have to follow, either.
Simply to aim Mt getting into really
smart set and to spend as much of
your fathers money rs you pleased in
doing it Few men would mind be-
ing sent to the Varsity on those con-
ditions.
SO Tom went up in duo course and
was soon writing home tho rosiest
possible accounts of himself and his
affairs. He Ind made close friends,
no snid, with the young Duke of
X, who was quite the smartest
man OF his year-son of the famous
Duke, who, carly in the present reign,
had sustained tho family reputation
so brilliantly Mt the expense of the
family estates, and had bequeathed to
his son name and fame, and splen-
did sum in-mortgages. Despite his
narrowed means, however, this young
nobleman scorncd to live in quiet
way, but went tho pace like man of
spirit; and as being in his set was
rather expensive, perhaps Mr.. Brilliant
would be SO generous MS to forward
another G100 or SO to his affectionate
son.
The G100 was accordingly sent by
the worthy soapboilcr, and several
larger sums also, in the course of
Toms first year, until his father be-
gan to dread the sight of the lad's
handwriting and to wish that he had
not been quite so lavish in hispromisos
of supply. For, in twelve months,
Tom had exceeded his liberal allowance
by nearly 9100O. Next year, also,
Mr.. Brilliant had to meet some un-
usually heavy demands, for he had
been elected Mayor of X, post
which, to fill it properly ontailed an
expenditure of several thousands out
of the private purse of it's holder.
Butnoblesse oblige, and the Worship
full Brilliant bled without groan. He
further submitted, in his private
capacity, to further drains from Tom,
though he ut Inst began to grumblc at
that young rascnPs constant demands,
which he now considered exorbitant.
"Still," he reflected, sit is better that
he should have the money thnn 1un
into debt, for it enables me to know
where I am. However, I'll give him
n good talking to when he comes home
for his next hol-vacntion."
But tefore that event happened Mr.
Brilliant received letter from the
head of his sons college, which struck
him "all of o heap" The letter ran as
follows:
My Dean SRI find it my duty to write
to you about your sons conduct. He has
been living for long time In reprehensi-
bly, extravagant style, and now find that
he Is heavily in debt. In fact, writs--for
very large sums-aro being issued against
him In the Vice Chancelor's Court. His
affairs, therefore, rs you can understand by
this, need immediate inspection. II you ar,
able to do 80, 1 should recommend you
coming up and looking into them as soon a
possible.
With much regret for having to write YOU
this unpalntable news. 1 am, my dear sir
yours faithfully, JABEz JONES, Master.
The effect of this letter-over whicl
Mr.. Brilliant literally gasped will
wrath-was to take him up to Oxfort
by the first train. Tom looked NOR,
surprised than pleased to find hi