The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-01-15

ne QFeW UdCh. uou "ahI w Wv
that" he said, quietly.
"OhI Arthur, / did not mean any
thing. but it does rile me to see
Reggie with all his splendid talents
and his grand education, and every
thing to be thrown away on such a
paltry employment; and yet, if he re-
fuses it, it is like giving UP wider
prospects STILL There, won't grum-
ble." And, drying her eyes, Janet
went off.
Arthur went slowly downstairs
with his hands in his pockets. This
theory Of Reggie's splendid talents
was it only a theory? He had be-
lieved in it implicitly in spite OF
every successive report, first from,
school and then from OXford-either
Reggie was growing too fast for
work, poor boy, or he had an unfair
master, and Reggie could never stand
a master he did not like. Then at
Oxford he had turned out to have lost
all the previous years of his life by
having been so badly taught. Then
it was most unsafe to press on the
highly strained intellect of genius;
and, finally, Reggie obtained no hon
ors, merely scraped through as hun
dreds of others have done, and came
home beautifully got up in appear
ance, but with small honor to him.
self, and a gratified feeling of self
respect, in the belief which he found
| unshaken in the breasts of his family
that his superiority was unassail-
able, only that he had been unfor-
tunate in his surroundings.
Arthur had his hand on the handle
of the door when his father came out
of the library and stopped his exit.
Here, Arthur, 1 want you,' he
said, briefly.
The library Of Denstone Court was,
alas! only now called so by courtesy,
as the books we're gone. Only the
yawning shelves remained. 1t was
fine room, and, like the rest of the
house, had about it the ghost of de-
parted comfort and luxury.
The Squire Of Denstone Court
looked about as woln away and shab-
by as his own furniture. He had let
everything slip helplessly through his
fingers. His poverty might at one
time have been grappled with, but
the time had gone by now.
Poor Mr.. Denstone got more and
more deeply involved, more and more
| hopeless; and he found no help in his
wife, who, worn out by the cares of
her large family and the feeble petu-
lance of her lord, hat subsidized into
mere household drudge. The sons
and daughters might have been a
comfort individually, but they were
a tremendous incubus en- masse.
One powerful friend they had in
the Uncle Alfred, the successful Liv-
erpool merchant, who had sent Reg
inald to Oxford, and whose offer of a
clerks place in his house, at salary
of sixty pounds year, had seemed
such a downfall to all their hopes.
1t was on the subject of this offer
that Mr.. Denstone wanted to speak
to his son.
Come here, Arthur" he said, ner-
vously, land sit down. l want to talk
to you, but it fidgets me to see you
standing" .aS.~.
"You look .tiESd, father" said Ar
thur, kindly. "''I am: afraid something
has worried You. =,
81 am always tired and always
worried" said Mr.. Denstone, impa-
tiently, thrusting his hand through
his thin gray hair, but I am quite
used to it now, thank heaven. 1t is
really your mothers fault, she does
worry so about Reggie"
What about him." said Arthur,
surprised "Of course, the salary is
not a very high one, but with his tai
ents he is sure to get on, and my
uncle will probably offer him part
nership."
But he is not to have it, you see. "
"Not to have it? Has my uncle re-
tracted his offer?'
| fattering manner. 1t is that that has
so upset your mother"
al am so sorry,' said Arthur, fe--
vently.
"I always knew how it would be,
said Mr.. Denstone, querulously.
Reggie gives himself the airs of &
marquis, and dresses like a dandy.
Your uncle is plain man, and, bless
my soul, he married his cook, as you
know, and can't be expected to be a
judge of refinement. He actually
writes these words: 'Your~son is
much too fine gentleman for me. l
want clerk, not young swell; and
want a fellow who appreciates the
luck of getting the place, not one
who turns up his nose at everything
here, and scents the whole house with
! cigars. SO you may tell him I have
; changed my mind. If you have a
more humble minded youth among
your sons, don't mind trying him;
but not this young cock who crows
too loud for my dunghill. I want a
plain, honest fellow. l hate your
geniuses. If you can't supply the
article, / can look elsewhere; but
Betsy would much like a nephew
about the house. Your fine gentle
man looked upon sixty pounds year
as about enough to keep him in
cigars; but in that we agree to differ.
What an unfeeling letter, Arthur
81 am afraid Reggie must have
! offended him." said Arthur, thought