National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-04-19

get it, no matter take the bit between
your teeth, and ride right over the feel
ings, and idees, and wishes Of them that
: brought you into the world, and then sec
lxhtre you'll b."
~ Tester 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 and
n long tallow candle in the other, aud
marched away to bed without another
word.
Mrs. Preston. who had been mixing
emptyings in the buttery, with the door
on the crack, came out now, brushing the
dust of tioar from her apron.
"La, children" said she, "the old Squire
Is more dangerous when i've don't say
nothing, and sets in brown study. II
looks to Inc as if the wind was changing q
feG p'ints. 1t has been blowing north
east about long enough, and ] should nj
wonder il it got round southland. You
see, come from down the coast way, and
there amt much about weather-cook
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 onee," +"
she whispered to Joel; cts 4 good sign.
| always heard say jest as long as a child
cries out hearty it amt agoing to die, and
! iact 1Dpn tIa old IND
fault with his victuals he amt agoing to
do bloody murder
Joel's horse was at the door. The old
man got into his big top coat. 81 guess
III ride up to the village with you, Joel"
said he; "t will save tackling my horse,
and then I'll chance it to ketch Il 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 plow, 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.
The village was just one 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
Drive Inc to the Jedge's office" said
the old man, as they got down on Main-st,
and I'd like to have you step in and wit.
ness to little business I'm going to trans
act.n
They drove up to a small building, dis
playing a conspicuous sign. The Judge
met them at the door. He was 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. "rm
sorry | haven't had time to make out the
papers in that COW case"
80, 'taint COW case, Jedse; it's love
case" responded the old man, with q
species of snort which made Joel's heart
sink. "You're lawyer, Jedge, and if
there is a knot-hole in any subject you'll
be sure TO take a squnt through it. |
don't expect to pull the wool over your
eyes. Set right down, Joel; | want you
to pay partickerler heed to what | am 60
ing to say. You SEQ there are several
| p'ints to this here love case. In the first
place, Joel is your brother, and you nat
uraly want to see him do well. You've
tried to help him forrard, know. Love
is GURUS kind of dstemper, specially
when its 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 1sot
on thing, there amt no whoa. Hester
Is tidy, and snug, and economical, and you
know a good wife is sometimes the
saving Of young man like Joel. Now,
come to sum up, you see how 1t is Jedge.
You make ten dollars where ! do one.
I'm 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 a child in the
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 Prt your name
to it, have it all legal and reg'lar and you
shall never hear another word of opposi-
ton from me-"
Joel sprang to his feet, his face fairly
quiyering with indignation: "Do you
mean to insult me ~ he cried. q won't
have this wretched bargaining over my
affairs. Hiram, ifyou draw up that bond,
I'll never touch another dollar of yours as
long as live. l'll show you | can sup
port wife without anybody's help, even
if / have to do it by days works.
"That's light, that's the kind of talk |
like to hear" said the old man, chucklng.
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"
eff you draw that bond" broke out
Joel furiously, 81 shall consider every
thing over between US. You have no
right to shame me in such a way as that.
1t sounds as if you thought me an idle,
shiftless, good-for- nothing fellow, and as
if Hester was going to throw herself
away. I'll let you know what there is l.
me. I'll show you that can stand on my
own row without the help of anybody"
That's right" shouted the old Squire
"Spoken like man-shows real grit
But don't mind him, Jedge; just you
make out the bond. like to see things
down in black aud white
The Judge had reluctantly put pen to
paper, and he now handed the document
to the old man, who scanned it through
his silver. bowed specs. "That'll do,
Jedge," with a complimentary nod. and
then he drew out a great ieathern wallet,
and folding the paper slowly put it away