Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-01-05
lake a toothless old woman for wife

-weIrs-
And when Bayard went home that
night he was still humming a happy
air.
| He took the chair OF the bed
tucked it in one corner Of the room
and stretched himself out for the
night.
In after years he talked much about
that room. He always declared that
he could open the door with bis hand
and the window with his foot at the
same time: that IL he l,nst over to
lace up his boots he butteS bis head
against the side wall. and when he
thrust his arm through the sleeve OF
his shirt he Invariably bruised the back
Of his hand on the ceiling
The next night while dining with
Jimmy a telegram was handed to
Bayard.
sYour aunt died this morning-fu-
neral Thursday" 1t read.
"Well, hope the De- old lady viii
be happy in heaven" Bayard said. nor
without some feeling. "She had per-
suaded herself that she wasn't here"
''That telegram means lot to you.
doesn't itY' inquired Jimmy. with an
air of finality.
Eyes, it does. 1t means that I'll have
a goodly bit of the necessary long
green and that Virginia and can be
married"
Some two weeks later Bayard was
notified by the express company that
there was package there for him
with $40 due on 1t, shipped from Chi
cago. Bayard knew at once that 1t
was some of Aunt Lucy's valuable sill
yer sent on to him. Jimmy would lend
him the money to pay for 1t.
The bill was paid, and the big pack
ing case was ordered sent to yirginia's
house and Jimmy duly invited around
to participate in the unpacking. Ham
mer and chisels were put to use. and
all three of them entered into the gay
spirit of the party. Piles Of packing
were pulled from the box. and finally
heavy gilt frame came to view.
Coats were taken off, and the COM
bined strength Of Jimmy and Bayard
was put to the test. Finally the pic
ture was taken out. 1t proved to be
a life sized portrait Of Bayard as a
child.
well, I'll be hangedr' declared Bay
ard as he mopped his brow.
Here's letter." announced Jimmy
as he pulled long white envelope
from the corner OF the frame. vir-
ginia opened 1t and read aloud:
Your aunt, Miss Leighton, left her
entire estate to charities. She wills
and bequeaths to you this portrait Of
yourself The portion of the will re-
lating to you reads as follows: i leave
no money to my dear nephew, Bayard
Leighton, because / do not wish to
shatter his ideal method of life. He
is earning good salary and has good
health. AS slight token of my af-
lection and as remembrance ! leave
him the Gilbert portrait of himself
which now hangs In my library"
isn't 1t darling." cried Virginia as
she danced about the huge portrait
But you can't go to housekeeping
with nothing but an old oil painting .
demurred Bayard.
Seems to me-" broke in Jimmy,
that there's plenty Of wood right here
to build the house, and 1t won't take
long to cover the walls. There's the
oil painting to begin with. Then we
can have that letter framed. I'm sure
Bayard never wants to part with that.
Then I'll give you large photograph
Of myself, and
What's all this nonsense about 60
ing to housekeeping interrupted Mr..
Tracey, Virginia's father, as he came
into the room. when these young
people get married-and I wish they'd
hurry up about it-they must come
and live with me. Virginia can change
her name whenever she wants to, but
not her residence. And as for this
legacy business, I'd rather have man
for my son-in-law who can fight his
own way than one who was made by
an Inheritance
Mr.. Tracey picked his way across
the room over the pine boards, chisels
and excelsior packing. He took his
daughter in one arm as he extended
his free hand to Bayard.
do you mean itY sang out Bayard
gleefully.
Mean itY echoed Mr.. Tracey. well,
| bet do, and to prove 1t I'll take
Jimmy Bookwalter into the dining
room and keep him there until you
| two settle on date for the wedding"
The words dining room" seemed to
awaken Jimmy from his stupor He
had mental picture of sideboard
plentifully stocked with reviving liq.
uors. He announced that he was
ready for the proof Of Mr.. Tracey's