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

however, with bit OF duoiouSness.
"Honey, you shore do look convinc-
ing-along certain lines" he declared
with gallant pride. "But you know
daughter, mankind has so long been ir
the habit OF buying the trouSer brand o.
legal convictions that-well-it may be
little slow to appreciate the superiority
OF the petticoat variety"
The girl smiled. $50 you think III
have to wait while for my first case
Well, suppose we take an inventory o.
our possessions, and see what we've
got to live on in the meantime. Get out
your strong box, daddy; we'll begin
with tne papers first"
The colonel, after considerable hesita-
ton, took up his broad white hat and
cane, and went across the street to the
bank. In a few minutes he returned,
bearing a dusty tin box.
"Must have lost the key" he observed,
al the end of an Intellectual rummaging oi
pockets. "You see, haven't had oc-
caSion to open the box for I'LL nber oil
years"
"Why, isn't there anything in il ?"
"Wel, not anything very valuable, "
replied the colonel.
The young lawyer shook her head IN
reproach, as she set to work to pick the
lock with hairpin. A few minutes later
she was sorting over hotchpotch of
nusty papers. But despite her air OF
professional disapproval, her eyes Shone
tenderly as she came upon token after
token-ln the shape OF uncolected notes.
long since past their time limit-of her
fathers generosity.
Daddy" she said, "none OF the men
here were good for cent OF the money
you loaned them. Why did you let them
have it2"
The colonel shifted uncomfortably in
his chair.
al don't seem to remember just why,
daughter. | suppose they must have
needed it."
Suddenly the girls brow darkened.
But here's man who surely was able
10 pay-five thousand dollars Why.
Iather. how did you ever happen TO allow
such note as this TO become outlawed 2
The old gentleman flushed. 81 don't
ike to think about that. supposed Jake
Williams was man OF honor; so when
lie said it'd be great accommodation ii
ID let him pay up the interest-com-
oounded-when he settled for the princl-
pal, OF course allowed the matter to
est. Then one day he met me on the
street and told me the note was past the
time llmit-fact is, BesS, he snapped MS
fingers in my face, and told me to whistle
Tor the money"
The young lawyers face was pale with
anger as she quietly replaced the papers
all except the Williams note. But she
spoke cheerfully: 81 see it's case OF No
Jaw, no groceries. However, it's gredI
deal better for the people TO be owing us
than for us to be owing the people, lSn''
Il, colonel dear?"
"To be sure. to be sure" he asSented,
hastily-so LASTLY that BeSS eyed HIN
with tender suspicion.
Perhaps, sheremarked, significantly
1--WE haven't finished our inventory. DO
] we owe anything, father?"
"Well, little, little" confessed the
colonel, reluctantly. Then from his yesI
pocket he drew long legal paper.
Honey, child, hate to tell you, but
suppose you've got to know soon, any
way"
There was moment Of tense silence
while BesS read the document. "A no.
tice," she said, in low voice, ''that ths
three thousand dollar mortgage held or
our house by Jake Williams must be paic
at once, or it will be foreclosed, and the
property sold at public auction by the
sheriff, in front OF the post-office."
"I hated to tell you, honey" repeated
the old man.
"How does ithappen that Jake Williams
holds this mortgage ?"
lust fate T. groaned the colonel, ''Jus
tate borrowed the money from Judge
Gleason-losing that five thousand leT
me rather embarrassed, you know. bu
the Judge died. and when the estate wa:
settled, Jake Williams bought the note. ;
"Does that end our inventory ?" asked
the girl.
Her father nodded YEARLY.
every well, then, daddy dear, you g
home and take nap, while | give Jak'
Williams little professional attention.
suppose you'll give me power to act II
this matter ?"
Certainly, daughter" murmured tn
old man, as his trembling hand sough
his cane.
Left alone, Bess began consulting tn
big, heavy volumes ianged round tn
walls. AT last she leaned back IN he
office chair, tagged and discouraged
The late afternoon sun was shlnmern.
on her desk, and dreamlly, as in avision
came the memory OF the sunlIt field o
corn and pumpkins belonging to JaK'
Williams which she had passed the dA.
before. Suddenly light flaShedi into he
eyes. Spnnging to her feet. she went t.
the telephone, and calling up the livery