Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-14

Judge Jordan sat in his study read- ing his mail of two days delay on ac- count of the roads being so, simpassa- ble. Only short while before this he had made his monthly trip to Rich 1 mond to be with "the boys" for & day or two. His plantation was one of re- mafkable beauty, 8 most beautl1ul drive of three miles out froim the town of Wayne. Snow was out of the usual in this part of Virginia, but now i the roads were just at their best for sltighing. and the tip-top thing was a | sleighing party.
 | Papa" said Betty Jordan, "can't I have a St. Valentine party this year ?" Old Judge Jordan turned slowly around on his office chair, as slowly as l if he had been the world turning on 1 it's axis, and fixed a pair of oddly I speckled hazel eyes on his daughter. | It was like a fusillade of brown shot ! on Betty, but she stood it bravely. It ! had not been the first time she had l been the target for this open fire. | "A party!" he repeated. | Yes, papa, a party!" said Betty. l f'It's my turn this year. Jennie Wal 1 ton had it last Valentines eve, and Adele Pierson year before, and you | know, papa, dear, this will be my 18th | birthday. I cannot go on forever ac- cepting other peoples hospitality and ] doing nothing myself. Please, papa, i can I have them here ?" NO, you can't!' said the judge. swinging back again so as to face his ! law books.
 fBut, papa. why not? ?''
 Betty, do you remember what said 1 to you about the necessities of strict 1 econon1y?'' growied the judge. This ! year of all years, when the New dav- 1 en railway shares were nothing, and business in the legal line isn't worth a 1 picayune."
 Betty's lip quivered; the mosture came into her eyes. The disappoint- 1 ment was enough, but to have the 1 judges business matters thrust in her face was more than she could stand. I 'Tt won't cost much, papa! You don't know how economically can manage it"
 1T shall take care" said the judge, that it doesn't cost anything! Not anything at alli Be so good. my dear, as to put it entirely out of your head. I have no money to throw away on St. Valentine nor birthday parties. Not one cent"
 "Ohi but papa!"
 That will do." said the judge.
 eff you would only-
 1 That will dol" repeated the judge, in tones of such thunder that the poor girl fled in terror to the kitchen.
 But what am I to do? Oh, what am I to do7'
 What are you to do? Why what 1 Ll6 matter WlLIl IAJ PO II
 70, Polly! I am heartbroken!" Then she related to her staunch friend Polly, the one she had always gone to Tn trouble since her earliest recollection.
 What are you going to do?'' repeat ed Polly. Don't say that! The ques- ton is not what are we going to do, but what we will do.'
 Polly was busy making soap With her soap stick in hand she gave Bet tvs nose a rub. This put Betty into 1 her- fa Ycrca. a opened eyes, which were like her fla ther's, she felt by this that all the judges in Henrico county could not thwart the purpose of her old mammy-
 What do you mean, Polly
 F'Pd heV the St. Valentines pawty, if I died for ft.''
 "But papa says he won't have them in the house."
 "Then hev them somewhere else"
 Where, Polly?"
 l Polly gave the soap another stir.
 "Ain't thar the manor where Sena- tor Simpson has occupied and has gone to Washington for the winter. It's all furnished. Why, many time Jim JinlSins and the Jones gals and ] danced in the kitchen"
 %, I know, Polly, but that belongs to papa" .,,,-., T. belongs to you-''
 gro me. Polly?'
 v l by the will of your Uncle Leslie when he went away to war, and was engaged to your ma; that in case he did not return it was to be her'n, and after he had been gone for some time didn your pa tell her that he never would return that those northerners had cap tured him and he would be put to 1 death, and persuaded her to marry himI Ump! I know do histry of dis har fambly and your ma married your and hrIt after Uncle Leslie returned. You were 9 wee mite of a. baby How he cried when he found his letters had not reached your ma, and she thought him unfaithful.
 Leslie Jordan was never a well man died heartbroken, s'pose, and made a will leaving Belle Manor to the daugh- ter of Felix Jordan to be kept in trust until her 18th birthday. l guess the judge don't know Polly knows all this So write to Senator Simpson at once and ask his permission to open Belle Manor for Feb. 14th, to give your com ing out pawty."
 In the meantime the judge was 1T correspondence with Senator Simpson Of course, no one knew the nature o1 their correspondence but they dio know that the senator's lease had noi
 70, but Polly, the thermometer is below zero"
 well, what eff it is? Ain't thar freplaces, and two in the large par lors, and each of them is big enougf to hold fire to roast an OK; and wha1 wood is not in the woodhouse, am sure thar is plenty around, and my Sam can go build fires and you shan'1 lose your pawty ef old Polly knows it."
 The old woman chucIled and Betty thrust her arms around Polly's neck and said:
 70, Polly, what would l do without you? But papa"
 He won't hear of it until it's al done; and if he does. what matters 1t It ain't going to cost him anything. guess I will make 8. big fruit cake, fry cruIlers and brew coffee enough for g regiment. The music for dancing Why, Jim Long will bring his fiddle and them two boys of Clifton's who have been up north will bring theA i guitar and banjo
 } With this Betty went away humminf 9 love song
 ) 'I ain't no patience with master. : she muttered to herself. Gross ane stingy, pinching g. dollar until he makes the eagle holier and where die he get his money? Why, from Missus } His brother Leslie always said he waS a spendthrift, and now just at the time , Betty wants nice things to wear ant a pleasant home to ask her friends to he is tighter than the bark is to thu 1 tree. That's what the judge is! Blu } she shall have that pawtyi The judge had some time before thi! , joined a club in Richmond called 'Tht
 Top Knotch" In looking over hi