Connecticut western news., 1872-04-26


 and the old Squares disposition that don't understand"
 The next morning was cold and windy, but the vernal sun sent feeling of glad ness over the world. Nobody but Mrs. Preston would have detected that her hus- band was more placable than he had been the night before.
 "You heard him scold about his coffee," she whispered to Joel; {" it's good sign. I always heard say jest as long as child cries out hearty it ain't agoing to die, and jest as long as the old Square can find fault with his victuals he ain't agoing to do bloody murder"
 Joel's horse was at the door. The old man got into his big top coat. " 1 guess I'll ride up to the village with you, Joel,' said he; "it will save tackling my horse, and then I'll chance it to ketch a ride back ! with one of the neighbors.'
 Hester stood at the window and watch ed them drive away up the creek. She knew how it would end. She knew she should never falter. Having put her hand to the blow, it was not Hester's way to turn back. She was brave and strong, but kind of mistiness crept up over her dark eyes, as the wonder rose in her mind why the course of true love never did run smooth. .t.
 The village was just one long street for stores, fanked by the Town-hall and "First Church." It was full of gardens and neat cottages, and, in Summer time, very shady and pleasant.
 Drive me to the Jedge's ofice," said the old man, as they got down on Main-st, and I'd like to have you step in and wit ness to a little business Pm going to trans
 act"
 They drove up to small building, dis playing conspicuous sign. The Judge met them at the door. He was 8 tall,
 stiff man, well dressed, with heavy watch
 seals. His small eyes were keen and in quisitive, and the lron-gray hair was scru~
 pulously brushed around his temples.
 "Good day, Squire" said he. Pm
 sorry haven't had time to make out the
 papers in that COW case.''
 70, 'taint COW case, Jedge; it's a love
 case," responded the old man, with 8
 species of snort which made Joel's heart
 sink. "You're lawyer, Jedge, and if
 there is knot-hole in any subject you'll be sure to take squint through it.
 don't expect to pull the wool over your
 eyes. Set right down, Joel; I want you
 to pay partickerler heed to what am go-
 ing to say. You see there are several p'ints to this here love case. In the first
 place, Joel is your brother, and you nat
 urally want to see him do well. You've
 tried to help him forrard, know. Love
 is cur'us kind of distemper, specially when it's took the natural way. Joel has
 got it pretty bad. He's been coming round
 my place now for a considerable spell, and don't know but he would go on court
 ing forever if didn't feel called upon to
 put in stay of proceedings. You see,
 Jedge, Hester, my girl, means to marry
 Joel. When she's once got her heart sot on thing, there ain't no whoa Hester is tidy, and snug, and economical, and you know a good wife is sometimes the saving of a young man like Joel. Now, come to sum up, you see how it is Jedge.
 You make ten dollars where do one.
 Pm an old man, and what little have
 scraped together must be divided equal among my children. You're right in the prime of life, and hain't got cbi,d in the i world. 'Pll give Hester good setting , out, and if you want to help Joel, you can ! step right over there to your desk and draw up paper to the effect that you'll = never see my girl come to want. Your bond is as good as gold.- Ppt your name to it, have it all legal and reg'lar, and you ' shall never hear another word of opposi , tion from me-" 8s . . Joel sprang to his feet, his face fairly . quivering with indignation: "Do yor 2 mean to insult me ?" he cried. q won' have this wretched bargaining over my o affairs. Hiram, if you draw up that bond ! I'll never touch another dollar of yours a t long as live. I'll show you I can sup Q port wife without any body's help, ever . if have to do it by days works.' ... ' "That's right, that's the kind of talk
 like to hear," said the old man, chuckling Hope you will stick to that mind. No r body's going to hender; but just draw ul d the bond, Jedge. It won't do a mite 0 <. harm"
 70 elf you draw that bond," broke ou ,o Joel furiously, "I shall consider every
 thing over between us. You have n, # right to shame me in such way as that T It sounds as if you thought me an idle z shiftless. good-for- nothing fellow, and a ,' if Hester was going to throw hersel f, away. I'll let you know what there is il 70 me. I'll show you that can stand on m n own row without the help of anybody" ,s s'That's right" shouted the old Squire o "Spoken like man-shows real grit V But don't mind him, Jedge; just yo make out the bond. like to see thing ,r down in black aud white.'' ""T- ,f The Judge had reluctantly put pen l. paper, and he now handed the documen ;+ to the old man, who scanned it throug ,r his silver bowed specs. "That'l dc "a Jedge," with complimentary nod, an +o then he drew out a great leathern wallet ,n and folding the paper slowly put it ava ,d with an air of entire satisfaction.
 r For long time Hester and Joel Sel st fridge have lived in pretty cottage i in the village, embowered in roses and hor m n, eysuckles. When the windows are ope ;s in Summer time, what with music, an "a laughter, and the sound of children at pla. ,e it seems like a veritable music-box. Tn if. old Squire has grown garrulous and g. lii " tie childish within these years. He ofte n- goes to his son-in-law's store, and watcl "a es the merchants brisk motions and quic n eye with peculiar pride. "Made ever 1n r, dollar of it himself, Sir,n he is apt to sa = to any stranger who happens to be abou @ and more than once, much to the annoy ,d ance of Hester, he has opened his wallt 1n and shown paper, old, yellow, cracke sr at the creases. This is the Judge's bon, t,s There are people who say that this sam va bond gave the needed spur to Joel's ratl ,,,t CT easy nature, and made him the man | an is; but there are others, with clearer eye d. who perceive that the unfalling love an ot encouragement of true wife laid u ee @ foundations of his best prosperity. w ay A good, finished scandal, full-arme n and equipped, such as circulates in tl nj world, is rarely the production of sil I nd gle individual, or even of single coteri