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

tained herself bravely by the frying kettle,
and in few minutes slipped frittcr,
brown, puffy, hot, with little sprangles
and crisp bits clinging to It's edges, on to
the old gentleman's plate, His face re,
laEed slightly, and n sort oijuiclness crept
into the dry wrinkles about bis mouth.
Presently two more deleetable brown
puAs took the place Of the one that had
already vanished, and the mollaed look
stole up to the knobby old nose, and high
er still to the keen gray eyes, and softy
united the twisted knot Of the eyebrows.
oval, Joel, how's the Jedgel I" in pa
cifc growl.
Joel almost Sprang of bis seat, the
question was SO sudden and startling.
80, tho Judge; heis well,n stammered
tho young man, turning several shades Of
red in quick succession.
Making money hand over fist, I'll
warrant"
Yes, he is doing pretty we'll" replied
Joel, 80 painfully confused that he dropped
lump OF salt into his tea in place Of
sugar.
7" Them lawyers have got long heads,
and sharp claws, said the Squire. "The
best way Is to give 'em widO berth.
There's an old saying used to hear when
was boy tell the truth and shame the
devil; but ! guess the devil don't often
get shamed that way by lawyers. There's
one thing | will say for the Jedge, though;
he's the likeliest of the lot, and he freezes
right snng to his business; but that amt
family trait, is iti" .tt.
"What, honesty I" returned Joel; 30,
yes, never knew a dishonest selfridge."
"lTumph, "grunted the old Squire, "did
YOU ever know shiftless Selfridgei I But
there ain't no use asking questions. Every.
thing has got new-fangled name. What
are lazy folks called nowadays, Hester 2
You have thaught school and ought to be
acquainted with fashionable names"
"l'm sure / don't know" said IIestor,
bending her head down over the fire.
"Now recollect. They're called gen.
tleinan of leisure. Ifthe Jedge can afford
to keep his relations without work, why
it's q mighty fine thing for them, and
don't know as it's any business Of mine "
and with metallic sound in the chest,
which might have been either laugh or q
chronic cough, the old man arose from the
table, set his hat determlnedly upon his
head, and went away out Of tho house to
do lis evening chores. .-
The lamp was lit the fire well trimmed
and bright. Hester brought forth alarge
pan Of frosy.cheeked apples Q}aldwinO to
pare for the last batch Of minco pies. The
keen knife glanced and shone. and pretty
red rings slid down from her comely
hands. Mrs. Preston was at work on
long gray sock, sock anybody might
know belonged to the old Squire II they
had seen It in China, Joelhad taken from
his pocket the joints of his flute, and was
scrcwing them tightly together, and as the
old man opened the door he heard hi,
dame say
"Comc, now, Joel, give US General
Greene's March, or Yankee Doodle
There's tho Squire coming in, and he's
fond of music, too.n %
"You can't eat It or drink it." growled
the Squire, rs he took his own particular
arm. chair, and drew Is up to the fire, and,
pulling off his heavy boots, held his stock.
ing clad feet to the genial blaze.
"But your ears can drink it," respond
ed the old lady, not knowing she had
made a pretty speech.
Joel played one old air after another,
and the walls echoed the strains pleasant.
ly which seemed trying tobring the differ.
ent heart-beats there under the roOf.tree
into consonance and harmony. When the
music ended, the old man, who had been
pondering with his chin sunk in his stock,
drew back alttlc, and laid his hand rath-
er heavily upon the table, and said, break.
ing out suddenly: ~ ss
~ s'poSe the up.shot OF the business Is,
young man, you want to marry my girl.
You've KEEP running here pretty nigh
year and q hall, and the matter must end
some time or other. Tain't my fashion to
daub much with untempered mortar, and
l tell you plainly what I've got against
you is your want Of stiddlness and propen-
sity to fool away your time, and live on
other folks. | don't propose to support
no son.in.law with my hard earnings.
Everybody round me must use Lis own
hands and feet, and put in as much as he
takes out. Now that's the long and the
short Of It, and I'm prepared to hear your
views.n '7l'f
Joel, thus summoned, looked as II ho
would much rather run away, but he stood
his ground and spoke with lis eyes cast
dowR, and his face slightly pale, while the
squire's shrewd, keen countenauce was
turned attentiyely toward him.
81 do want to marry your dangh.
ter" be began, "aud ] should have asked
for your consent long ago, but | knew you
were prejudiced against me, and opposed
to taking me into your family. It don't
seem quite fair to condemn man before
he has had trial. Hester shall not re-
pent ii she marries me- ..
Fine promises never raised a hill OF
potatoes" said thu old sarcastically. ~
knew good clean timber when see It,
aud / know a crooked stick. tell you,
young man, you've got to put by your fine
airs and buckle down to hard work before
you earn a living for a family. I'm agin
shifllsssness, tooth and nail, and always
was. But, Hester, what have you got to
sayin -r'
Hester had held the apple she was par.
ing suspended in her hand. The color
varied iu her cheeks, and now tide Of
crimson swept over them. Her voice fal.
tered. and almost broke At frst, bu. It
gathered strength and went on, SO clear
and distinct, that It seemed as though the
old clock in the corner even stopped TO
listen. "Father," said she, ~ hope you
won't oppose Us till the last have tried
to please you, and be a good daughter,
but there comes time when A girl must