Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-01-20
WHEN GRANDMA CAME.

daughter of the village miller, for six
months or more when Grandma Whit
beck came on a visit. She was mother
to Mrs. Davis, and although over sixty
wears old it was her boast that she could
still make things hum. Lucien was her
favorite grandchild, and she made no Sc
cret of the fact that she had made her will
in his favor. In her western home She
had heard that he was excepting COM
pany" with girl and that il would prob
ably be match, and that reason, more
than any other, brought her east in mid
winter.
Grandma Whitbeck arrived in Sunny
side at an unfortunate hour. The river
running through the village was frozen
two feet thick and was being used as a
boulevard and race course by every vii
lager who had horse and cutter. There
were some good horses and some drivers
who were anxious to lead the procession,
and among the latter was Lucien Davis.
1t was a natural thing that Tillie Spooner
should be with him as he drove and that
she should clap her hands with glee when
the cutter crossed the line fifty feet ahead
of the next best horse for ten miles around.
Grandma happened to be crossing the
bridge during one OF the trials OF speed
and saw it all, and as she continued to
gaze her jaws began to set.
"The idea OF 1.-THE idea !" she NUT
tered TO herself. "My favorite grandson
has not only turned to hoss racin', but
that gal he is as good as engaged to is
sickin' him on the best she knows how.
I've got to see about things right away"
She did. She hadn't got her bonnet off
before she was saying to her daughter:
"Sarah Davis, it seems as if Providence
had sent me here at this time. Do you
know what Lucien is doin' at this very
mint ?"
"He's driving on the ice, believe, "
was the reply.
"Drivin'! Why, he's hoss racin', that's
what he's doin'-goin' up and down lick
ETY. split-and that Spooner gal, about
who you've all been writin' so much,iS in
the cutter with him and a-sickin' him on.
stopped on the bridge and saw it all, and
I'm goin' TO tell you right out plain that
Pm ashamed OF you. never spected to
live to see the day when you and James
would see Lucien become a hosS racer
and gambler and murderer and never
advise him agin ii.
"Come, come, motherl" chided the
daughter. "They may be driving fast,
and one horse may come out ahead of the
other, but it's not horse racing. There
are people driving on the ice who belong
to the church. It's simply recreation.
was driving with Lucien myself yesterday,
and enjoyed it immensely"
"Don't talk to me. Sarah Davis
know hoss race when see one, and
know that boss racin' leads to gambln'
and murder. II folks around here think
that they can be Christians and hoss race
at the same time, let 'em. 90 ahead, but
can tell 'em where they'll end up. was
in hopes | should take likin' to that
Spooner gal, but never, never can. Any
gal who will urge young man on to his
doom ought to be sent to Jail, and I'll tell
her so whenever see her."
When Lucien came home he got a bad
roasting from grandma. He tried to ex-
plain, but it was no go. Grandma had
her opinion and it was:
at amt bit of use to waste your
breath, Lucien. Pm disappointed in your
father and mother and in you. When
come this time find you hosS racin' and
on your way to states prison. ! feel il
my duty to save you if can, and I'm 60
in to try and think up way to do IT."
The idea was to propitiate grandma as
much as possible, and yet Lucien did not
cease to "hoss race" nov and then and
to take Tilly Spooner along, as before.
The family would liked to have brought
about an introduction between the CIR
and the old lady, but il was looked upon
as too risky. Little was said after the
first two or three days, but grandma KEEP
up great thinking, with the result thai
one day, two weeks later, she slipped
| out of the house and made call at the
Spooner's. II was call that LEFT its
mark. She reproved Mrs. Spooner, won
dered what sort of a man Mr. Spoonel
was and wound up by calling Tillie ar
impertinent mink. OF course, there were
results, and those results made at least
two hearts ache. Lucien was informed
| in plain English that if he didn't "droE
that gal" he would be dropped out o.
grandma's will, and though he refused tc
be bluffed, the situation became strained
and anything but pleasant. 1t was Till,
herself who solved the problem wher
| the others had failed.
One day Lucien had business over to-
ward Liverpool, and as it was brigh
February day he asked grandma to e
along. She was glad to get out and SET