Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-02-15
04io Statfsraall.
TaE JUDGES WARD.
BY J. N. PUTNAM.

/ -efa 4a 5ae1a- q
The town of Merville, where Judge
Dashleigh's country-seat was situated,
was undeniably pleasant. and that resi-
dence itself was perhaps the crowning
glory of Merville, for architecture was
a weakness of its owner. Great, spacious
lawns, green and smooth as it is in the
nature of lawns to be-; choice conserva-
tories and finely kept grounds. surround
ed the house, which, with its double ver-
andas extended like two wings, stood
facing the ocean. .s
-"The finest sea-view in the country"
the judge was never tired of remarking
to his friend Stockbridge, inasmuch as
that gentleman claimed an equal share
Of merit for the one visible from his
brothers house in -----. @ hr
$50 you're going to take charge of a
trumpery little school girl, eh, Dash
leighq" queried Stockbridge, with a
jolly laugh, one pleasant june morning,
as the two sat together looking out on
the much contested sea view.
'sWell, yes" answered the judge,
his words after the manner
legal gentlemen are apt to acquire.
my friend Reeds little daughter has
certainly been left to my charge"
Little. .eh ." observed his friend,
suspiciously. "About what age, per-
haps q"
The Judge turned around, looked his
frind in the face. and laughed.
I" Seventeen" he answered. 1
Seventeen A duced little girl |!
And you are"
Forty, the thirty-frst of next Octo-
Der Any more cross-questioning, Stock
bridget"
Maybe" answered the worthy, dry
ly, and no whit disconnected. When
does your infant arrive?"
"Oh, the last of the week, I suppose.
This is Tuesday-well, say on Friday"
2" Two to one on the end oft Well
see Mrs. Dashleigh before two years" :"
That sight can be seen any day.
replied the Judge "go down to my
"Pooh, pouh, you good-for-nothing I"
interrupted his friend, :" if every one
knew you as 1 do, there'd be small
chance of your ever getting wife"
With which friendly speech Mr.. Stock
bridge threw away the end of his cigar,
put on his hat and departed. s-a
Meanwhile at Madam IS much
leave taking was going on among dis
consulate school girls.
30. dear, dear, Violet, how I do pity
you'll Going to horrid old Judgs's,
where you will be kept as stiff as a
poker, and never go to a party, and read
only law books
"Don't, don't said Violet, laugh
ing and sobbing by turns at the gloomy
picture drawn BY the voluble speaker,
]" Mustn't it be dreadfnl?" said another
sympathizer. g l know judge at
home. He wears a wig and spectacles.
and always sneezes before he speaks.
And, O.! such handkerchief-a regu-
lar bandanna. I, declare should be
tempted to commit suicide !"
Nonsense said Fanny Jones.
!" For all you girls know, he may be the
best old fellow in the world, and have a
host of nephews; and, of course, he'll
leave Wy all his money-it always hap
pens so. So cheer up. Wy; and here
comes your train; we'll stay and see
you off,"
So-amid much waving of handker-
chiefs, many smiles, and tears, and
promises to write-the train bore Violet
rapidly away from the eyes of her
schoolmates.
Poor little Violet The world seem
ed very wide and lonely, as she sat
looking out of the window at the houses,
woods and fields, that seemed to glide by
with lightning speed, to her tear-burned
eyes.
ais this seat engagedf'
Violet turned around. A tall, good
looking young gentleman, valise in
hand, stood awaiting her answer. This
being made in the negative, the stranger
sat down.
By degrees the young people became
acquainted. Violet, being gifted with
the unreserve common to school girls, re.
sponded gaily to her companions anus
ing remarks upon the people and things
and her pleasure was by no means in
considerable on learning that his des-
tination was the same as her own
namely. Merville. whittier he was going
to spend the summer with friend.
s"And Merville is a pleasant place?"
asked Violet
40. delightful" answered her rev
friend. 's some very fine country-seats.-
Society is very good there in summer
Judge Dashleigh lives there; owns a
splendid place."
10, do you know him ," cried Violet
with animation.
"Yes, do you?''
alive heard of him." replied Vic.
let, evasively. "What sort. of person
is he %
"Well, I like him very much. Plenty
of ability not too much dignity good
looking, and rich as-as-'
While the young man hesitated for q
comparison, Violet was violently won
dering over description SO unlike tn.
pompous, bewigged, snuf-taking judge
of her fancy and feeling that such diff
ference in her guardian materially
changed her future.
Il like man of his age and position
that will lay aside his dignity. and play
croquet and enter into it with as much
zsst as he will. They're too apt to for
get that they have ever been young.
trust I've given you graphic account O
him." continued the young man, sincs
you seemed interested in him."
"No WONDER" laughed Violet; he il
my guardian. When papa died. three
years ago, he left me to his care. ]
have never seen him; that is, since ]
was little girl. I've been away at
school since then. But | am SO glad
| that ha Ia so difflranf from urhaf / 4 az