Middletown transcript., 1900-12-15


The great fields lay in unbroken white
ness. The woods along the banks of the
Iowa River were pillows Of snow. The
large farm-houses, and the number and
size OF the barns and other outlaying
buildings, gave evidence of the richness
of the soil that lay buried and resting for
another harvest.
Judge I;ilton's house had the distinc-
ton of being built Of brick. There was
dignity in its solidity over the usual
white frame houses on the surrounding
farms that well became the dignity of the
judge.
The judge was New England born and
bred. There is the yeneration for Puri-
tan ancestry in the entirely Western soul
that the Puritan mind still has for good
old English blood.
Isabel Hilton was her fathers house
keeper and the only child. The mother
had died while she was baby, and she
had ruled the house and been ruled by
her father since that time.
She had all her fathers reserve and
pride OF family, and at the same time his
happy nature and gracious manner, that
won her friends when she desired to
make friends. Those who found it i'm
possible to win their way into her favor,
called this reserve in Isabel, her "down
East airs" There was discouraging
belief among the young men in the
country around, some of whose fathers
had herds Of cattle large enough to divide
\ and establish them in enviable begin
nings, that if the judge thought any of
them worthy to win his daughters love
there would never be an opportunity to
gain the consent Of the young lady.
The judge had theories against IsabePs
entertaining young men alone, nor would
he permit her to 60 with any escort but
| himself.
TIE privilege Of spending the evening
with Isabel, in the presence of her father,
was considered mark of distinction, land
held the one so honored on the wave Of
hope.
"If fellow had the backbone to out
sit the Judge some night, he might pro-
pose to the daughter" was the comment
Mr.. Holderman made to his son one day.
Clint Holderman had been one of Isabel's
most persistent admirers.
"The trouble with all of you is, you go
there shaking in your boots, and talk to
the Judge, and come away with the big
head because you dared do that; but l
tell you, if | was young fellow I'd out
sit him if sat till the break of day. us
some such pluck as the judge is looking
for. He raised her, and he knows her
value; and she amt going cheap to none
of you. Ii you can go in ahead Of the
other fellows and tow her in, I'll give
you ten thousand dollars and deed you a
section of land Come, now, let's see
| what you're made OFF"
In some way this lordly promise got
adrift the current of country gossip, and
reused the admirers Of Isabel, one and
all, to new interest in the contest. Laro~
stories were told of the. late hor~'
Judge kept that winter with | Jel's
suitors
Clint Holderman drove over to the
brick house early on the evening that he
had set his mind with flint-like deter
mination to give his fathers advice the
trial.
It was a cold night, and as he sped
along in his new cutter, drawn by a
handsome span of black horses, and well
tucked in with buffalo robes, his heart
was wa. m with hope.
He had spent many evenings Of the
winter playing chess with the judge, so
he was sure of his welcome; but tonight
beyond all this. He thought O. the hour
when, at last, with his heart and under
standing touched, the judge would bid
them good night, and he should be left
alone with Isabel.
There was he lhaHdsemer young man
in the country than Clint Holderman;
none who danced better, or who drove
better horses; but more than this, the
judge had repeatedly told him that he
had never known a man who played a
better hand at chess.
This was an encouragement indeed; for
if the judge had weakness, it was for
chess, and it would be decidedly pleas
ant to have son-in-law who could be to
him such ready source OF entertain
ment. As he drove into the yard, the
judge came out on the side piazza.
"Good evening"" he called out. "Just
drive on to the barn; the man will put
out your horses"
One Of tile farm hands came out of The
stables as he spoke, and Clint threw him
the reins and followed the judge into the
house.
Swapping cold, but splendid sleigh
ing, /" the judge said, while Clint was pull
ing off his overcoat in the hall.
Yes. I believe my ears are touched,
Clint sWered, rubbing them.
Isabel is popping some corn. She'll
be glad you happened over to help eat
it."
He led the way into the long sitting
room at the end Of the hall.
Isabel was on her knees before an open
wood fire, shaking corn-popper.
The while kernels snapped and ex-
panded with pleasant sound.
The lamp had not been lit, but the fire.
light made the room bright and cozy.
Isabel, here is Mr.. Holderman, my
DEAR
She sprang up.
s'I didn't hear you come in. Good
evening. Come over here by the fire.
Why, it's Glintr' she said, as he came in
to the glow. II thought father meant
your father. I never think of you as
Mr.. HoIderman. Have some corn"
she held the pepper open before him.