The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-22

your teeth, and ride right over the feel
ings, and idees, and wishes Of them that
brought you into the world, and then see
where you'll be- l
Hester covered her face with her hands,
and the hot tears began to make their way
through her fingers. The old man got up.
and sternly took his boots in one hand aud
long tallow candle in the other, and
marched away to bed without another
word.
I Mrs. Preston, who had been mixing
emptyings In the buttery, with the door
on the crack, came out now, brushing the
dust of flour from her apron.
La, children" said she, 'the old Squire
ia more dangerous when he don't say
nothing, and sets in brown study. 1t
looks to me as II the wind was changing u
few p'ints. II has been blowing north.
east about long enough, and ! should MT
wonder II 1t got round south'Grd. You
see, come from down the coast way, and
there amt much about s weathsr.cock
and the old Squares disposition that l
don't understand" -
The next morning was cold and windy,
but tue vernal sun sent y feeling of glad.
ness over tho world. Nobody but Mrs
Preston would have detected that her hus.
band was more placable than ho had been
the night before.
"You heard him scold about his coffee, y
she whispered to Joel; "it's good sign
| always heard say jest as long as a child
cries out hearty 1t amt agoing to die, and
jest as long as the old Square can find
fault with his yictuals he amt agoing to
do bloody murder.n
Joel'I horse was at the door. The old
man got into his big top coat. ~ guess
Ill ride up to the village with you, Joel"
said he; I" It will save tackling my horse,
and then III chance /. to ketch ride back
with one Of the neighbOrsn
Hester stood at the window and watch
ed them drive away up the creek. She
knew how Il would end. She knew she
should never falter. Having put her hand
to the plow, 1t was not Hester's way to
turn back. She was brave and strong,
but q kind of mistinesS crept up over hcr
dark eyes, rs the wonder rose in her mind
why the course of true love never did run
smooth.
The village was Just ono long street for
stores, flanked by the Town.hall and
First Church. 1t was full Of gardens
and neat cottages, and, in Summer time,
very shady and pleasant.
"Drlvo me to the JedgO's office said
the old man, as they got down on Nain-st,
and I'd like to have you step in aud wit.
ness to little business Pm going to trans.
act"
They drove up to a small building, dis.
playing conspicuous sign. The Judge
met them at tho door. He was q tall,
stiff man, well dressed, with heavy watch
seals. His small eyes were keen and In.
qulsitiye, and tho iron-gray hair was scru
pulouEly brushed around his temples.
"Good day, Squire" said he. I'm
sorry ] haven't had time to make out the
papers in that COW case"
30, 'taint COW case, Jedge; It's n love
case,n responded the old man, with Il
species Of snort which made Joel's heart
sink. "YOu'rO lawyer, Jedge and Il
there Is Enot.hole in any subject you'll
DO sure to take squint through 1t. ]
don't expect to pull the wool over your
eyes. Set right down, Joel; want you
to pay phrtickerler heed to what am go.
ing to say. You see there are several
plnts 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
Isl GURUS kind of distemper, specially
when its took tile natural way. Joel has
got itpretty bad. He's been coming round
my place now for considerable spell, and
| don't know but he would 70 on court.
ing forever il didn't feel called upon to
put in q 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 who's Hester
Is tidy, and snug, and economical, and you
know o good wife Is sometimes the
saving ofA young man like Joel. Now,
come to sum up, you see how i'll, Jcdge.
You make ten dollars where ! do one.
I'm an old man, and what little | have
scraped together must bS divided equal
among my children. You're right In the
prime Of life, and hain't got a child in the
world. am give Hester a good setting
out and II you want to help JoOl, you can
step right over there to your desk and
draw up paper to the effect that you'll
never sec my girl come to want. Your
bond is as good as gold. Pot your name
to It, lave II all legal and regular, and you
shall never hear another word Of opposi-
ton from men ' ''1 '''
Joel sprang to his feet, his face fairly
quivering with indignation: ado you
mean TO insult me n he cried. al won't
have this wretched bargaining over my
affairs. Hiram, ifyOu draw up that bond,
nj never touch another dollar of yours as
long as | live. I'll show you I eau sup.
port wife without anybody's help, even
II / have to do II 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
body's going to hender; but just draw up
the bond, Jedge. 1t won't do mite Of
harm -
"If you draw that bond" broke out
Joel fnriOusly, 81 shall consider every
thing over between u.s. You have no
right to shame me in such way as that.
It sounds as II you thought Inc an idle,
shiftlesA good.fOr nothing fellow, and as
II Hester was going to throw herself
away. I'll let you know what there is in
me. III show you that can stand on my
own row without the help of anybody"
"That's riglit,n shouted the old Squire.
"spoken like mAn-shows real grit.
But don't mind him, Jedge just you
make out the bond like to sec things
down in black aud white" II.
Tho Judge had reluctantly put pen to