THE STORY-TELLER TOM BLINKER'S SECRET. (From London Truth.)

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 22, 3 November 1883, Page 4

THE STORY-TELLER TOM BLINKER'S SECRET. (From London Truth.)

Tom Blinker was o jo\ial, lightluiarte}, eomwreial 'gent,' who, after travelling some years for a London firm, had started in business a 9 a comluisjdiou agent in Bilchester. Unfortunately be failed — or at least he did not succeed, which is nearly as bad, and at the date of this story he was pretty heavily in debt. But his creditors vrere disposed to deal leniently with him, partly because he was known to bo in tae main honest, and partly because ]<c had intimated that when Lord Montarlington returned he would soon be in a position to discharge his liabilities. Lord Moutarlin.aftun had a large estate in the neighbourhood, and >ras naturally very much respecte 1 and looked np to in t^ie town. He had teen absent fr^iii England three years ' on a foreign tour, and Tom Blinker had not come to Bilchesier till shortly after his JorJship li.id started on his travels. Tom's announcement, therefore, caused a great deal of surprise and speculation, the more especially as he always referred to Lord Monuirlington in very guarded terms, and never dropped the slightest hint as to the nature of their acquaint- - nnce. This mysterious reticence had much more effect upon the public mind than if Tom had entered into details, and though some peibons were scepiicnl enough io doubt wln'ttior Tom had ever h?t oy-'s nn his lordship in bis life, ii was generally believed tint for sonic reason or otlier Lord Mnntarlingtou would relieve him from his difficulties. But his iordsnip's return was so long dela^eJ that Tom's creditors began to grow impatient, and Tom himself ppenied to lo<?e heart. There was no disguising the fact tint he had reached tue end of his tethci, and nothing .short of a miracle could avert bankruptcy and mm, Duly impressed with this, unpleasant fact, and also bearing in mind thai two or three of his largest creditors bad threatened to take proceeding? against him immediately, Tom wended his way to the Blue Boar one tnening in a very depressed condition. On reaching the parlour of that ancient hostehy, where a convivial club, of whicu he was a pioiuiuent member, was vrjnt tv hold its weekly meetings, he was surprised at being greeted with a ohorus of congratulations and good wishes. • It's all right, Tom V ' Cheer np, old boy 1' ' Keep your pecker up, Tom 1' were scMie of the reassuring exclamations which greeted him in cordial toiivj>, for Tom was a pleasant, good-nut u red fellow, and most people wished him well, though few would leuu him money 4 Why, what's up? f he naturally duuiai) led. ' What's up 1 Hav'n't you heard Lord Montnrhngton has come back V Raid Mr Beans, the grocer. ' You don't say so V ejaculated Tom, with a start. 4 Yes, sure enough. He passed through the tow a this afternoon. Wonder he didn't give you a call, Mr Blinker, as you're such a particular friend of his,' added Mr Beans, who was one of the unbeliever. ' Tom seems quite taken aback. One wouldn't think he bad heard good news,' remarked Mr Pestle, the chemist, lather slyly. ' His lordship is agoin' to set you to rights, ain't he, Tom ? Make your fortune, I've heard,' chimed in another. It must be owned that Tom did not appear elated at the news. He seemed disconcerted, and for a moment looked decidedly embarrassed. His confusion did not escape the notice of the assembled convives, who exchanged significant glances. It was quite evident from their nods and winks that Tom was voted a humbug on the spot, and that his story of his influence with Lord Montarlington was believed to be all irmnimm. * ills lordship's solicitor has just arrived here from London,' lemarked one of the company. * I heard him order dinner and a bed-room, and say he would drive over to the Castle in the morning.' ' There's a companion for you, Tom,' said Mr. Beans, jocosely. "You'll go over to the Castle first tlmiy tomorrow, of course ? His lord.ship must be dying to see you.' 1 A very good suggestion/ returned Tom, risin , from his seat wiu rather a desperate air. ' It's a plaguy long drive alone. Did you hear the name of the

lawyer, «Jakos >" * Peumnglon, I believe,' ww the answer, ' and lie is iv the blue parlour. 1 1 I'll go and introduce myself, pal*, if you'll excuse me a minute/ said Tom, who had completely recovered his equanimity and his easy affability of manners ; ' meanwhile, Mr Chairman, if ycjn will order glasses round at my expense, you will do me proud.' After this, Tom Blinker made a very effective exit, having succeeded in turning the tide of public sympathy in his favour. Mr Beans, and others, who had somewhat openly intimated their disbelief in hirf hona fides a moment before, now looked foolish iv their turn, while those who had remained neutral began to sing his praises. When Tom returned after a shoit absence, he was regurded by every one with increased respect. ' It is all right,' he remarked confidentially, as htn-esumed his place ; 'I introduced inytclf to the lawyer, and we arranged io drive over to-morrow together. llh isa iuust pleasant old gentleman. 1 nfc\<>r met -him tci'uie.'

The last oWrvitt'ion, utttMvd in a care!rt4s t<»ne, hi t<le a distinct impression upon the* audience, Tor it seemed "to imply mild tistoiiishmont that a person 30 intimately associated with his lordship as the family lawyer, should up to that tine have been unknown to him. He did not apparently seek to convoy nny impression whatever, for lie at once changed the subject by volunteering a sons?, and never referred to Lord Montarlintjton again throughout the evening. He appeared suddenly to have recovered his spirits and abandoned himself to social enjoyment Whether he really surpassed himself, or whether his mysteiions acquaintance with Lord Montarlin^iou made evory one more inclined to appreeintc him. it is ivrlain th company laut>h<vl >tt hh jokes an I npplau lid his song's with more \i_;ou> than usual, and when tae meeting bro\e up, his health was proposed and drunk with gro*it onthtnsiasm. Early next morning the neigbours, with mingled admiration and envy, witnessed the departure of Tom and the lawyer from the door of the inn. Tom handled the ribbons, having borrowed Mi' Bc.ms's little mare and trap the proceeding evening in order, as he said, to do the tiling in style. 'he grocer was proud of his tut n-out . and was only too glad to odlige Tom, now that his prospects had souiateiiiilly improved. Tom Blinker looked very spruce indeed when he drove to the inn to pick up the lawyer. Ho was a good-looking man, with white teeth, a florid complexion, and a genial expulsion. Dies^ed in his best, with a flower in l»i& button-hole, ho presents i quite an imposing appearance, and it was observed that Mr P»Mining(on, the lawyer, treated him with marked courtly. ' This 13 real'y a very civil attention, sir,' remarked Mr PtMinington, who was an old-fa^hiono 1 elderly gentleman of a nervous disposition, as they howled alon^ the hard countiy road towards thuir deslin.ition. ' Don't mention it, sir ; you're welcome, I'm sure,' said Tom Blinker, 1 affably. 'I wouldn't abuse 3 our goo-'-nature i for the world. You are sure lam not taking you out of your way ?' persisted the lawyer, glancing at his companion with mild curiosity. ' Certaiu'y not, sir. As I told you yesterday, I had arranged to drive over,' replied Tom. ' They told mo at the hotel when I happened to mention your name that you were well acquainted with his lordship,' said Mr Pennington, who evidently did not quite know what to make of Ins obliging companion. As the lawyer spoke, Tom gave the mare latter an awkward flick with the whip, which caused her to bound forward with unpleasant velocity. Mr Pennington then awoke to the Fact that Tom Blinker's skill at driving was hardly equal to his politeness ; indeed, it soon became evident that the mare had the trap and its occupants pretty well at her mmy. Tom appeared cheerfully indifferent to the circumsfaacj, am! took ditches, signposts, anil uuliMom'^ thing. The lawyer, ho«ev<>r, *.\a* far iiom comfortable, and soon forgot itis cuiiosiiy in his personal fears. He ceased to at>k questions, and devoted himself to holding on to the hand-rail, regardless of Tom's conversation, which was continued in a lively vein, in spite of the most startling episodes. Great and unspeakable, indeed, was the old gentleman's relief when the Castle at length came in Mght, the little mare having done the distance probably in the shortest time on record. (To be Continued.)