Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-03-30

lS'h(tliONi iO" IOA ASNS ~
say. 'November's the nth to eat pump
kin pies, if you want to be witty, wealthy
and wise?' Well, believe I'll buy one
of those pumpkins, so that we can have
one more pie in Our old home"
but, daughter, those are Jake Williams
Couldn't you get pumpkin from some
one else just as well ?"
why, father, you surely don't believe
in boycotting your enemies, do you ?"
Certainly not, certainly not, answer
ed the old man.
Jumping out Of the buggy, Bess climbed
the fence and went over to the corn
cutters.
"Mr. Williams, I'd like to buy one OF
your nice pumpkins" she said.
"Well, they're for sale" replied the
owner, shortly.
"All right, III take this plump little fel-
low. How much is it ?"
The seller studied his customers face
greedily for an instant. Fifty cents"
"Isn't that rather high for pumpkins 2"
asked the girl, innocently. Anyway"
she ndded, "a quarter is all the small
change have with ME, so | guess you'll
just have to let me credit the rest against
that little amount you owe father"
For second the farmer heSitated.
"All right" he agreed, ungraciouSlY. He
had personal reasons for not caring to
give his customer occasion to say any
thing more definite regarding that "little
amount" in the presence Of his hired
man, who was listening to the converSa-
ton. But as he watched the departing
lawyer and pumpkin suspicious frown
darkened his face. 81 don't just like
thatW he muttered. There's something
contriving about that GAL"
"Well, Bess, you said this was to be
legal ride, but don't see where the law
comes in unless you're going to use that
pumpkin for evidence" said the colonel,
as they drove rapidly back TO town.
maybe am" the driver answered,
"Pm going on up town TO attend to
little legal matter before supper" She
helped her father to alight at the front
gate.
In front OF the poSt-otfice she hailed
the sheriff. Half dozen words, and the
officer jumped into the buggy, and it rat
tied on to the courthouse.
Up the stairs and into the circuit clerks
office dashed the girl, the sheriff at her
heels. The clerk was just shutting down
lis desk for the night. "Wat, wait J.
!asped BesS. 81 want to FLEA petition!
For five minutes the clerk sat transilXed
With amazement, while BeSS poured
forth torrent oflegal citations-strangely
blended with feminine fervor. Then ne
layed back in his chair and laughed. And
the sheriff sat on the coal-box and laugh
ed also.
Some belated lawyers scattered through
the court house came in TO hear the Joke
And then they, too, laughed till the pass
ers-by stopped and stared up at the
gloomy windows in amazement.
A little later the sheriff came down the
courthouse steps with a long legal paper
in his breast pocket, spranginto the livery
rig, and drove rapidly of through the
Gathering dusk in the direction OF JAKE
Williams farm.
Arayed in dust-cap and big ginSham
apron, Bess was just finishing her Office
dusting the next morning when Jake VII
IiamS came raging into the room.
"What kind Of bluff IS this you're
trying to work on me, Miss Wayland p?
Threatening TO bring suit for that DID,
)utlawed note II you know what's
good for you, you'll drop It. For | amt
l-going to pay that note, and You-can't
-make-me And you know il"
perhaps" said the girl, you'd better
consult your lawyer about the matter"
Jake Williams did Bess, sitting at her
desk that morning, was highly entertained
oy watching his rapid pilgrimage down
the street from one law-office to another
At noon he paid her second visit. He
came in quietly this time, and he wore a
peculiarly sickly smile.
"lve been thinking this matter over,
lie said, land I've conciuled to do the
chem l-the handsome thing by the col
oael. Not that the law can force me al
all. So III give him his mortgage, and
call it square"
"The note was for five thousand dol
lars, Mr.. Williams" said the young
woman, curtIy. perhaps you'd betteI
consult your lawyers little further."
That afternoon BeSS dreamlly figured
interest on live thousand dollars TO
nneen years, at six per cent, while sht
watched lake Williams repeat his morn
lng pilgrimage. About three O'Clock h'
came into the Office, and without a worC
handed her a check for live t1ouSanC
dollars.
you've omitted the interest" ooserv
ed the girl, critically.
"lt may be-" she added, as the mai
ood du no with rage aud a.nazement
"that you're not quite clear on all TN
l.gaI points involved. So III explain
them to you. When an outIawed note !
revived oy a payment. it becomes i'm
! mediateIy due, together with all back in