Middletown transcript., 1903-06-27

N1UDGE Hilton's house hat
nj the distinction of being
M built of brick. There
" was a dignity in its sol
idity over the usua
white frame houses on the sur
rounding farms that well became
the dignity of the judge.
The Judge was New England
born and bred. There is the ven
Grafton for Puritanical ancestry
in the entirely Western soul thai
the Puritan mind still has fol
good old English blood.
Isabel Hilton was her fathers
housekeeper and only child. The
mother had died while she was
baby, and she had ruled the house
and been ruled 1by 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 impossible to win their way in
to her favor called this reserve
in Isabel her "down East airs. "
There was a discouraging belief
among the young men in the
country around, some of whose
fathers owned farms and herds
of cattle large enough to divide
and establish them in enviable
beginnings, 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
Isabel's entertaining young men
alone, nor would he permit her
to go with any escort but himself.
The privilege of spending the
evening with Isabel, in the pre-
sence of her father was consid-
cred a mark of distinction, and
held the one so honored on the
wave of hope.
If a fellow had the backbone to
outsit the Judge some night, he
might propose to the daughter,
was the comment Mr.. Holderman
made to his son one day. Clint
Holderman had been one of Isa-
bells most persistent admirers.
The trouble with 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 I tell you,
if I was a young fellow I'd outsit
him if I sat till the break of day.
It's some such pluck as that the
judge is looking for. He raised
her, and he knows her value; and
she amt going cheap to none of
you. If you can go in ahead IF
the other fellows and tow her in,
I'll give you $4,000 and deed
you a section of land. Come, now
let's see what you're made of.
In some way this lordly prom
ise got adrift the current of |
country gossip, and reused the
admirers of Isabel, one and all,
to new interest in the contest.
Large stories were told of the late
hours the Judge kept that winter
with Isabers suitors.
Clint Holderman drove over to
thebrick house early on the even
ing that he had set his mind with
lintlike determination to give
his fathers advice a trial.
He had spent many evenings
Of the winter playing chess with
the judge, SO he was sure of his
welcome; but tonight he looked
beyond all this. He thought of
The hour when, at last, with his
heart and understanding touched
the Judge would bid him good
night and he should be left alone
with Isabel.
There was no handsomer young
man in the country than Clint
dolderman; none who danced
oetteror whodrove better horses;
out more than all this, the Judge
had repeatedly told him that he
lad never known man who
played better hand at chess.
This was an encouragement
indeed; for if the Judge had a
weakness it was for chess, and
t would be decidedly pleasant to
lave a son-in-law who could be
o him such a ready source of en-
ertainment. AS he drove into {
he yard, the Judge came out on
he side piazza. {
Good evening, he called out.
Iust drive on to the barn; the
nan will take out your horses. {
One of the farm hands came
'ut of the stable as he spoke, and
Hint threw him the reins and
ollowed the Judge into the house.