Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1886 — MASTER TOM’S ENGAGEMENT [ARTICLE]

MASTER TOM’S ENGAGEMENT

An Knglish frstory. Old Mr. Molyneux was immensely prond of his position as the county magnate. He lived in a feudal castle which he had bought cheaply, having taken over at tho same time the good will, so to speak, of its former owner’s social influence and dignity. In consideration of his great wealth, his neighbors charitably ignored the fact l that his father had been a small trades; man, and that he himself had carried on a lucrative business in the hardware line for many years. He was not a bad old fellow, his vulgarity being of a subdned and inoffensive kind, and consequently he was received in the bjst ■county society. But he aspired to even greater distinction, for his pet project was his only son, Tom, to one of the Earl of Laburnum’s daughters. There seemed no reason why this auspicious event should not come about, for the Lady Florence looked kindly upon Master Tom, and his lordship had more than once hinted that he wonld raise no objection. Lord Laburnum was the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and an alliance with his family meant admission into the most aristocratic circles. Unfortunately Master Tom was rather a scapegrace, and his father preferred to let him see a little of the world before revealing the high honors that were in store for him. The fact was that Tom showed no predilection whatever for Lady Florence, and he was just at the democratic age when a youth is apt to underrate social advantages. The old man . hoped that when Tom had had his fling Up would begin to awake to the responsibilities -of his position, and be amenable to reaeon. He knew that Tom was raising a very respectable crop of debts,and that Before long his paternal assistance wonld be sought When the crises arrived he intended to make known his wishes, and to take advantage of the lad’s embarrassments to impose conditions. Meanwhile, as Tom seemed to have given his heart a roving commission, there was no apparent danger of his seriously compromising his affections. One day, however, tho young man came down from town, were he was ostensibly studying for the bar, and with a very grave and determined air announced that he was engaged to bo married. Old Mr. Molyneux nearly had a fit of apoplexy on the spot, and young lady earned her own living by carrying on the business of a dressmaker at the West End, his horror and indignation knew no bounds. In vain "Tom pleaded that Miss Fabian was a lady by birth and education, and that the poverty of her family was her only crime. His father became more and more furious, until Tom showed symptoms of flat rebellion. “Think of your position in the county 1” cried old Mr. Molyneux, perceiving this, and wisely making an effort to control himself. “I will take it for granted, if you like, that the girl is an exemplary character. She may be ladylike and well educated, and all the Teat of it But her station is altogether inferior to yours.” “1 don’t see that,” said Tom, stubbornly. t .; “Why, of course. It is ridiculous,” said the old gentleman, swelling with self-importance. “Her father, you say, is a poor out-at-elbows devil of a clerk in the city.”

“I’ve never noticed his coat baa holes in it,” retorted Tom. “As for his being a clerk in the city, so were you—once. The only difference is that you have been more fortunate than he, aud have made enough money to retire upon.” “None of your infernal radical nonsense here, sir!” cried old Mr. Molyneux, infuriated at this reference to his own origin. “It would be just as sensible to sav that you and I are the equals of Lord, Laburnum because Adam was our common ancestor. "What does it matter if I was once a clerk in the city? I have since attained a superior grade inthe social scale, and that is the fact that must be faced. By marrying the daughter of a city clerk, who earns her living by dressmaking, yon would be making a mesalliance.” « “rfust as Lady Florence would by marrying me,” said Tom, looking wonderfully innocent. "Who is talking about Lady jFlorence?” said old Mr. Molyneux, taken aback by this unexpected thrust. “Nobody—only I have an idea you wish me to marry out of my station,” retorted Tom. “I don’t wish you to marry at all, sir, not for many a long year 1” cried the old man, fairly nonplused. "What I mean is, father,” said Tom, doggedly, “that t see no more harm in marrying below one’s station—to use ▼our own term—than in marrying

> “Stuff and nonsense, Bir! Yon don’t know what you’re talking about,” exclaimed Mr. Molyneux. “I don’t want to have an argument with yon. The long and short of the matter is that I won’t hear of this foolish engagement. There! It is no use talking. Let there e an end of it, or I shali have some l thing very unpleasant to say." The old man bounced out of the room as he spoke, not a little startled and amazed by nis son’s tone and attitude. Hitherto Tom had never ventured to argue with him, partly from filial duty and partly from inherent weakness of character. He began to fear that the lad possessed unexpected firmness, until he soothed his mind by the reflection that he had probably been carefully coached for the interview. This suspicion explained Master Tom’s unaccustomed readiness of repartee which had made litm appear a dangerous adversary. Believed in his mind by tho discovery, old Mr. Molyneux gradually cooled down and completely recovered his self-confidence. He easily convinced himself that Tom would never dare to disobey him, and, instead of feeling the least apprehensive of the marriage taking place, lie was only uneasy lest rumors of the engagement should reach the Labur*. nums. 8 — He prudently resolved to treat the matter as definitely disposed of, and to make no further allusion to it—at all events, until Tom had had time for reflection. Judging from appearance, the lad seemed completely subdued. He spent the next few days slaughtering pheasants in a dejected and sulky frame of mind. His father smiled within himself and held his tongue, though he showed by his manner that he did not intend "*to be trifled with. When he considered that he might safely speak, he said one morning, with assumed carelessness: “Well, my boy, what are you going to do?” “I’m going to shoot over Bailey’s farm,” replied Tom. ,r Konsense. You know what I am referring to,” said the old man, turning red. “I am speaking of this idiotic love affair.” “Oh! Well, of course, I must keep my word,” said Tom, with flushed cheek. “What! you haven't written to-break it off?” said Mr. Molyneux, feigning surprise. “No, guv’nor, I haven’t,” said Tom. “I hoped you would have softened by this time.” “And I believed you would have remembered that your first duty was to obey your father,” cried the old man, beginning to boil. “Do you mean to tell me that yon still contemplate marrying a —a dressmaker ?” “She has sold her business, father,” said Tom, eagerly. “She might have done better had she waited a bit, but out of deference to your wishes—” “My wishes!” interruped Mr. Molyneux,. angrily. “I don't care if she carries on twenty businesses. What I say is that you shall never marry her with my consent. That’s all.” “1 should be very sorry to disobey yon father,” began Tom, gravely, “but ” “Look here, my boy,” interrupted the old gentleman, quickly, speaking with unnatural calmness, “lot us understand each other. I forbid this foolish engagement, and I order you to break it off instantly. That is my bark. Now for my bite. You leave my house within "an hour, and unless you inform me in the course of a week that the affair is at an end, I stop supplies. If you persist in marrying the girl, then, by heaven 1 I will alter my will and leave every farthing I possess to your cousin Ted—in fact, I will make him my heir and discard you altogether.” It is doubtful whether the old man would have really carried out this serious threat, for he was fpnd of his son, and proud of him in a way, but he looked very determined when lie uttered it, “and Tom was evidently impressed. The lad dropped his eyes before his father’s irate glance, and the ruddy color left his cheeks lor an instant. “You know. Tom,” lio added, noticing the wholesome effect of his words, “you are entirely dependent upon me, and unless you took to poaching I don’t see how you could possibly earn a crust. Beside, you are up to your ears in debt.”

“I don't owe much,” said Tom quickly, with a tell-tale blush. “You will find out that you owe a good deal when your creditors learn that I have made your cousin Ted my heir,” said the old man enigmatically. Tom was evidently seriously disconcerted by this remark. He turned on his heei, muttering something about catching the next train to town, leaving his father master of ! the situation. The old man considered he he had gained a signal victory, and was, therefore, not the least perturbed when his son started oil’ to the station with his luggage, in literal accordance with his injunction. He did not doubt that Master Tom would see the folly of his ways; and, surely enough, two days afterward the young man reappeared, looking decidedly sheepish, and tendered his submission. He even brought a copy of the letter he had written to the young lady, which Mr. Molyneux thought a little too curt and matter of fact, if any fault was to be found with it. However, he was not inclined to be hypercritical in this respect, and he heartily, applauded Tom’s action. “I am going away for a said the lad, who had winced a little at his father's boisterous good humor, and seemed half ashamed of his Jonduct. “Webster and some other fellows have hired a yacht, and sail for Madeira to-morrow." “By all means, my boy,” crjed Mr. Molyneux, secretly delighted that his son should leave England for awhile at this juncture; “and look here, Tom, while you are away I will settle matters with these friends of yours." He produced rather a formidable list of names and figures as he spoke, and Tom started with surprise, as well tie might, at perceiving how full and accurate was his father’B knowledge of his pecuniary embarrassments. The old man cut short his son’s confused protestations of gratitude and apology by saying good-humoredly: “Well, well, von must turn over a new leaf, my boy. Seasonable economy mnßt henceforth bei the order of the'day, and Lhope, on your return,

that you will settle down and reside permanently in the country.” 1 He had it on the tip of liis tongne to hint that he must be prepared to marry Lady Florenoe; but he wisely refrained. Nevertheless he was a fnll of the project as ever, and after Tom’s departure he spoke to Lord Labuttmm more plainly than he had hitherto done. His Lordship, without pledging himself, gave him *an encouraging reply; and he resolved to bring matter to a crisis immediately upon his don’s return. The consequence was that the task of settling with Tom’s creditors proved quite an agreeable relaxation, and did not cause him a moment’s ill-humor. *' But he was very much startled and disgusted on hearing that his solicitor had been asked to accept service of a writ on Tom’s behalf, in an action for damages for breach of promise of marriage brought by Miss Fabian against her faithless lover. The news upset bim considerably, for such a scandal would set all the papers to gossiping about his antecedents, while Tom could hardly fail to cut a ridiculous figure in the wintess-box. Old Mr. Molyneux soon arrived at the conclusion that the action must be compromised at any cost, for the sake of his own dignity, not to mention the projected alliance with the Laburnums. He rushed up to town in quite a frantic state, and, disregarding the advice and protestations of his solicitor, insisted that Miss Fabian’s claim should be settled forthwith at any sacrifice, in order to avert the danger of the affair finding its way into the papers. He was successful in his main object, but, rich man as he was, he almost groaned as he sat down to write the check that Mis 3 Fabian’s advisers demanded. The amount was represented by no less than five figures, and the worst of it was that he got no sympathy whatever from his solicitor, who declared that by going to trial, or even by holding out, he might have saved the greater part of the money. In spite of his great relief that the threatened scandal had been averted, olp Mr. Molyneux soon began to regret the sacrifice he had made and to fret about his enormous loss. He was not by any means a penurious man, but, hke all parvenus, he keenly appreciated the value of money. He did not mind what he spent so long as he had something to show for hits outlay: but in this instance the result attained was entirely negative. Every one is inclined to underrate a danger when it has passed, and Mr. Molyneux could not help suspecting that he had been too easily frightened. This uncomfortable reflection worried him a good deal, particularly when he learned that Lord Laburnum had made arrangements to take his family to the South of France for the winter. This did not look as if His Lordship was very anxious about his daughter’s marriag§ old Mr. Molyneux was seized with an ominous foreboding when he heard the

news. Tom returned after an absence of three or .four months, and was evidently not a little apprehensive of the reception he would meet with. He had received some angry letters his father, referring to the damages he had had to pay; ana he therefore appeared nervous and embarrassed at theirifirst meeting. But the old man, delighted at seeing him again, sought to put him at his ease by saying; “I’m not going to allude to what has happened, my boy; I’m willing to let bygones be bygones.” “You are very good, father, but—but—” “What is the matter?” inquired old Mr. Molyneux, as Tom paused in confusion. “I still cling to the hope that you will consent to my marriage with Miss Fabian,” said Tom desperately. “What!” roared his father with a great start “You see, guv’nor,” proceeded Tom, “I’m in a- much better position than I was before when I went away. Then, as you justly pointed out, I was in dobt, I had no capital, and I was altogether dependent uplon you. But my debts are now paid, and as for cap“Well, sir, what about capital?” interrupted the old man, too much amazed to be angry. “I here is the money you paid to Miss Fabian,” said Tom, with a fleetingsmile. “The interest on it would keep us from starvation, and at least it is enough to buy and stock a farm with.” “But—but I paid the money because you broke your promise to marry her,” urged his father,' incredulously. “She would never marry you now.” “I think she would,” replied Tom, in a confident tone. “The fact is, sir, I have been victimized," exclaimed old Mr. Molyneux, suddenly, as the truth flashed across his him. “Not exactly, father—at least, not yet,” returned" with great earnestness. “I hope you will not withhold your consent to our marriage. If you would consent the money shall be paid back to you—every farthing. I don’t wish to defy you, as it were; and both of Us aye willing to rely entirely, with regard to the future, upon your generosity.” Old Mr. Molyneux had turned purple in the face, and Tom was justly alarmed at his aspect. Bujpbefore he could utter a word in reply, a manservant brought in a note, remarking that a messenger was waiting to know if there was any reply. Mr. Molyneux opened the envelope half-absently, glanced hurriedly at the contents, and then gave vent to a muttered execration which apparently relived his overwrought feelings. After striding about the room for a few moments in great agitation, he suddenly halted in front of Tom, and cried in a voice of sup-, pressed passion: i* “You —you impertinent, disrespectful, disobedient rascal! .What did you say about the mone v ?” - , “I said every farthing would be returned to you,’’ replied Tom, staring at his father, “Very well,” said the old man abruptly ; nhd he. immediately sat down at the writing table, and wrote a note with a tremulous hand. “Bead that;’’ he said to his son, when he had finished. Tom, in his turn amazed and bewildered, read as follows: 1 " Deab Lord Lajbuenum: Bis very kind of

yon to hasten to inform me, on hearing of my son’s return, that you have other views witn regard to your daughter Florence. I ought to have mentioned that my son has been engaged to a Miss IfaMen-for some months, and that his marriage will take place immediately. Yours faithfully, Jno. Molyneux “Oh l father, it is pwful good of you,” cried Tom, with tears in his eyes. “I expect Laburnum will be riled,” said old Mr, Molyneux, sulkily, as he fplded up the- note. “I doubt if I should have made £IO,OOO by allowing you to marry his daughter.”