Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-03-13
WEEKLY SHORT STGRY



that's why you're hyin' In this old
house. and its why you're wearn
cheap clothes when all the other girls
have pretty thinss. ! amt been much
OF a pru,ider. but I did make your
mother comfortable. I'll say that, PrU- (
die"
You're a dear" said Prudence |
Tucker. whose name belied her looks. /
for she had flyaway curls tied back /
under ribbon. and she was ilyaway
by nature, cut sweet none the less.
You're a dear" said Prudence
again, and kissed bin, and shall
marry whom l like
Just so Il amt Richard Judd" he
said.
And why not Richard?' Prudence
demanded. hes honest and kid and
true and comfortably fixed, II be isn't
rich"
"Wen. he amt savln'." said the cap
tain O0stinately. Il amt going 70 have
you tied to two men who cant keep
a cent. It's bad enough for you TO
have iAat kind OF father. and ain L
goin' 10 let you have that kind OF
husband"
Perhaps" said Prudence, with her
blue eyes flashing. you'd rather ]
took Ben Bassett"
The captain frightened up
"Now. Bassett's the kind Of man
mean. lie owns shipyard. and
he's got a big house on top Of The
hill. aud he's renting a lot OF cottages
TO summer fox And he's got all that
by sayin'. / tell you. Prudie, man
can't be anything these DAYS without
he's got money, and YOU'D better lis
ten TO me and not be foolish"
Prudie's short nose was IN the air.
Il won't listen" she said, and stamp
cd her foot. when you talk about
Ben Bassett"
"He asked me last night" the cap
tain went on, regardless OF these dan
ger signs. che asked me last nigh'
whether ! would give my consent
and YOU told him that YOU wouldn'
give Il. YOU did. daddy, didn't your
You wouldn't want your little girl e
marry a miser, would your
Il told him l would" said the cap
tain, doggedly. You'll have every
thing you want-nice things 20 ca
and pretty clothes. and a horse an
kerridge."
Father" she said. and her voic
trembled, you don't know what 20
are doing, you don't know"
Well, you think It over said IN
captain, genially, aud tell me you
answer In the morning"
That night Prudence met her love
on the rocks.
We've got 10 find way out OF
Richard" she said. Dads got
learn that Ben Bassett is an old ski
flint. who makes everybody miserabl
Pretty dresses, indeed; why q
chances are he wouldn't let me ha'
penny, and everybody knows TN
be half starves himself"
IF you could get the captain
stay with him for a while he'd seC
81 cam" she cried. III go dov
to Aunt Melissa's and stay a wee
and I'll ask Ben Bassett 20 take ca
Of father while I'm gone
The next morning Prudence, In
demure little hat and long gray CO
drifted into the smoky Offices of d,
sett * Co.
1--WE come 10 ask You, Ben S
said 10 the cringins proprietor,
you'll take care Of father for we
while I so TO Aunt Melissas. 4 W.
to think things over
Bens countenancc underwent a
rfous change. i am not accustOn
TO guests" he said. Couldn't SO
one else do it?'
Prudence eyed HIM calmly. y
don't mean 10 say" she inquired. CT
thy, "that you don't like cOmpai
Why. I couldn't be happy witeou
lot OF folks around me-"
20, surely surely" be stammel
''let him come. III do my best
On Saturday morning, Prudence
for her aunts, and the captain W
gayly 10 make his visit.
1T Will be q change for me,
said. genially 10 Richard Judd,
carried his bag up the hill for
we have things pretty plain at ho
and Ben. now, can anord all the
cacies OF the season"
ANY time Won want a change"
Richards ofier, "ou come on my
and I'll make you fish chowder-
course, after you've been 20 Il
you'll turn up your nose at such ?
food. but, anyhow. you're always
some"
They shook hands and the car
waved "goodAy" from the steps.
wish YOU had Ben's money" he
regretfully. 81 think Prudence
you better'n she does Ben. But
got a marry a man that's savin'.'
week later a haggard face pc
into the little windows OF the cab
Richards schooner.
Can / come inG' was the que
put by the captain as Richard
peared on deck.
Sure" shouted Richard, its
dinncr time, and I've got a cho