The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-02-23

- - - - $4,000
ventry was what Mrs. Martin called
"a woman OF the world" Her com
ing had made a great difference in
haywood.
In the first place, under her direc-
ton the Chandler place had bloomed
as IL had not in years. The lawns
which had degenerated into over
grown patches Of daisies and timothy
grass, turned to crescents. geometri-
cally precise, of green velvet. Flower
pots made spots Of color, punches Of
shrubbery. expanses of shade The
long elm bordered drive looked like
monster milestone. The tennis
courts were kept cut to a trimness
that was the marvel Of the Martin
children. The dance hall and the bill
lard room glittered with the last cry
in fittings and adornments. Moreover.
the household was run on what seemed
to haywood the most luxurious prin-
ciples, especially as IL was understood
that the Ventrys were econOmizing
Mrs. Ventry thought nothing of in
viting half a dozen extra to dinner
And as for incidental entertaining
II never saw so many eats drinks
and smokes in my life" said Ernest.
who. as yet neither drank nor smoked.
Naturally the Ventry household be-
came, in these circumstances, the
meeting place for the 1eunesse doree
of haywood Mr.. Ventry went early
to business and came home late at
night. He seemed the most devoted
of business men. SO, at least, MI
Martin seemed TO admit by the con-
senting silence with which Invariably
he greeted this theory. But Mr.. Ventry
was not missed. Mrs. Ventry was al
ways importing smart guests from
New York and Boston. With them
mingled Tug Warburton-untiI his
family went to Marblehead-the War
rem boys, pair Of young brokers who
looked down upon haywood society
from ice-laden heights Of social su-
periority; Tom Deane, the haywood
cut-up; Fred Partland, Maywood's To-
cal celebrity, recently returned from
the Latin Quarter, and-and-AND
Billy Thurston, the current Harvard
varsity pitcher, into whose presence
Ernest would have craWled on his
masculine court Mrs. Ventry reigned
undisputed queen with Phoebe Molly
Tate, Florence Marsh and the Gould
twins for permanent ladies-in-waiting.
Ernest seemed actually to live on
the Nentry place. But so far the only
effect of his new association had been
to make him rebel against having TO
come in so early at night. He clam-
ored hourly for a latchkey
Il had TO come home the other
night just as Billy Thurston started
TO tell how Hinkey used 10 box the
tackle" he said once. Even Mrs
Martin could see that Ernest was
Voicing the greatest wrong Of his boy
hood. But Home every night at 10
and no latchkey until you're out of
school" was her unyieldinE decision.
To Mrs. Martins surprise, Mr. Mar
tin seemed 10 take very lenient view
OF this matter. I'm glad Ernest's
meeting some Harvard men," he said
again and again. Once only he offered
an objection. How about this billiard
har no aclr
We'll. / look at il this way" Mrs.
Martin answered. instantly. Her tone
revealed that she had already worked
the problem out to it's detail. This
usually happened before il presented
itself as a problem to Mr.. Martin.
"Ernie's bound 10 play billiards sooner
or later. You did and Tug does"
Mrs. Martin was. OF course blissfully
unaware that Ernest had held the
Junior pool championship of haywood
rather have him over 10 Mrs. Ventry's
playing with his sister than down at
Sidney's with that gang Of loafers
there"
In the midst Of this activity Mrs
Nentry herself lived the idlest OF lives.
She puttered little about her gar
den in the morning, but most Of the
afternoon she spent in the hammock
reading the books and magazines that
seemed to come with every mail. A
after midnight. She had. however.
what was from Phoebe's and Err
nests point OF view, an inexplicable
mania passion for old things.
haywood was far enough away
from Boston to merge, after a few
miles, with genuine country. Mrs.
Ventry got in the habit Of exploring
these districts, following the trail OF
colonial mahogany. china and pewter.
The Nentrys had dispensed with their
chauffeur. and. as Mrs. Ventry did
not like to so too far alone in the
blk car, she invariably invited Ernest
through the house like a whirlwind.
gathering coat here. a cap there. Cog
giles yonder. would call. Say. mother,
! won't he home to lunch today.
Mrs. Ventry wants me TO take her to
ShaynefNTd. Thatn be ninety mile
run going and coming
Mrs. Martin never put any obstacles
to these expeditions. But she always
asked questions when Ernest returned.
rs Mrs. Ventry an interesting talk
or. Ernie?" was one form. What
do you find to say to interest a woman
like Mrs. Ventry?" was another. Il
hope you don't talk too much. Ernie.
SOS to wear Mrs. Ventry out.
shouldn't think she'd be much inter
ested in the talk of a boy like YOU
was a third.
she isn't I guess" Ernest would
reply. Anyway. I'm not interested in
hers or any woman's chin when I've
got an automobile that will go fifty
miles an hour. Gee, don't ! hate to
wait round while she gases with those
Edward d. Martin. don't you ever get