The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-05-31

and "First Church." 1t was full OF
gardens and neat cottages, and, in sum-
mer time, very shady and pleasant.
"Drive me TO the Jedge's office" "
said the old man, as they got down on
Main street, "and I'd like to have you
step in and witness to a little business
Pm going to transact"
They drove up to a small building,
displaying conspicuous sign. The
Judge met them at the door. He was
u tall, stiff man, well dressed, with
heavy watch seals. His small eyes
were keen aud inquisitive, and the
iron-gray hair was scrupulOusly brush
ed around his temples.
"GoOd day, Squirrel said he, "pm
sorry. haven't had time to make out
the papers in that cow ease"
80, faint COW case, Jedge; it's a
love case" responded the old man,
with a species of snort which made
Joel's heart sink. "You're a lawyer,
Jedge, and if there's a knot-hole in
any subject you'll be sure to take a
squint through it. L don't expect to
pull the wool over your eyes. Set
right down, Joel, / want you to pay
partick!er heed to what | am going to
say. You see there are several p'IntS
to this here love case. In the first
place, Joel is your brother, and you
naturally want To see him do well.
You've tried to help him fOrard, l
know. Love is Gurus kind of dis
temper, specially when its took the
natural way. Joe has got it pretty
bad. He's been coming round my
place now for a considerable spell, and
4, don't know but he would go on
courting forever if L 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 set 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 it is, Jedge. You make
ten dollars where L 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 child
in the world. I'll give Hester good
setting out, and if you want 10 help
Joel, you can step right over there to
your desk and draw up paper to the
effect that you II never see my girl
come to want. Your bond is as good
as gold. Put your name to it, have it
all legal and reg lar, and you shall
never hear another word of opposition
from me-"
Joel sprang to his feet, his face fairly
auivering with Indignation 'DO you
mean to insult me?' he cried. 81
won't have this wretched bargaining
over my affairs. Hiram, if you draw
up that bond, I'll never touch another
dollar of yours as long as / live. I'll
show you can support wife without
anybody's help, even if L have to do it
by days works"
That's right, that's the kind of talk
1 like to hear" said the old man,
chuckling. "Hope you will stick to
that mind. NObOdy's going to hender;
but just draw up the bond, Jedge. 1t
won't do a mite of HARM"
"If you draw that bond" broke out
Joel furiOusly, al shall consider every
thing over between us. You have no
right to shame me i'm such way at
that. 1t sounds as if you thought me
an idle, shiftlcss, gOOd-fOr-nOthing fel-
low, rs if Hester was going To throw
herself away. I'll let you know what
there is i'm me. I'll show you that L
can stand OH my own feet and hoe my
own row without the help of any
body"
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. L like to
see things down i'm black and white"
The Judge had reluctantly put pen
to paper, and he now handed the docu-
ment to the old man, who scanned it
through his silver-bowed specs.
''That'll do, Jedge," with a compli-
mentary nod, and then he drew out a
great leathern wallet, and, folding the
paper slowly put it away with an air
of entire satisfaction.
For a long time Hester and Joel
Selfridge have lived in pretty cottage
in the village, embowered in roses and
honeysuckles. When the windows
are open in summer time, what with
music, and laughter, aId the sound OF
children at play, it seems like veri-
table music-bOX The old Squire has
grown garrulous and little childish
within these years. He often goes
to his son-in-law's store, and watched
the merchants brisk motions and
quick eye with peculiar pride. "Ma is
every dollar of it himself, sir" he p
apt to say to any stranger who hacc,
pens to be about, and more than on he
much to the annoyance of Hester,n Il
has opened his wallet and show the
paper, old, yellow, cracked at ond.
creases. This is the Judges b this
There are people who say thatur to
same bond gave the N q eded spmade
JOel'S rather easy nature, and thers,
him the man he is; but there are oe that
with clearer eyes, who perceives that
the unfailing love and announcement
of true wife laid the foundation for
his best pro sperity.