The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-01-28
CHAPTER II.
@SSNGHZ 49,. ~'I

T should enjoy the supper better"
Broadway said later at the Spotswood
family table. IF everything I chew.
after I've seen uncle, didn't make me
think of gum. l wish there was a way
Of eating without chewing"
They all laughed, but not very heart
lily. Gum was a sacred word to them
also. It was to every one in Jones
Vile.
Lets talk things over after sup.
per-" said the Judge. Then, after they
had gone into his stuffy little study:
broadway, I've been talking with your
uncle" s
That's one reason I would never
study law. You have to do such dis.
agreeable things. I've been talking
with him, too"
The Judge laughed very briefly, very
dryly. tits not polite for you to
speak that way, my, boy. The old-er
your Uncle Abner will be sure to
hear Of it." &c..
Must l pretend to love him?"
EFT might be better to-"
Judge, said Broadway solemnly
I'm a pretty good little amateur actor,
but there are some parts I'd eve try
to play. One of them is that Of loving
nephew to my Uncle Abner JONES'
Judge Spotswood sighed. II know,
my hoy, and I don't know that I blame
you. / only wished to say that as a
matter of expediency-"
81 don't know just what ex~pediency
means, but If 1t has anything to do
with Uncle Abner I don't want to-"
We'll. he said today that he hadn't
any hopes of you. He said he didn't
think you'd ever settle down. He
doesn't seem to know where you get
all your wild ways from. He Is shocked
beyond expression to find that your
young friends all call you Broadway,
It's worrying your uncle"
What will he propose?"
IF you won't go into the business
he will try to buy you out,
Jackson looked at him in dumb de
light. For money? Ready money"
"Yes; it's what I'm afraid of, Jack
son. Be careful how you sell to him"
I'll be careful that he pays me
That's all l care about"
Don't be in a hurry. What I'm
afraid of-but I ought not to talk II
this way. Abner Jones has neve
done me an Ill turn. Of course your
father was my client"
"And dear uncle put his hooks into
my dad whenever he could get then
caught SOS he could pull. didn't he?"
"He Is a shrewd business man. But
don't sell, Jackson" The Judge was
clearly Ill at ease. .
IF I don't sell, will I have to turn
to and make gum"
"You ought to. A goose that lays
a golden egg should be we'll cared for
LET uncle raise the poultry. II
rather sell the eggs"
But, Jackson"
Judge, will you come to see me II
New York;"
The conversation had brought Jack
son Jones to sudden realization Of the
fact that in eleven months or less he
would be twenty-five, and that, as soor
as he vas twenty-five, he would be
free, according to the terms Of hi
dead fathers will, to spend his OWL
exactly as he pleased. .1.. ..
ri suppose you'll go there just as
soon as you are master Of your for
tune"
The boy leaned forward eagerly
when will It happen, Judge? Will II
be on the midnight that begins my
birthday, or the midnight that it ends
with? Quick! I've got to know"
Better wait till the next day, Jack
son. That's the safest. Oh, / know
you'll go! But don't sell to your uncle
Promise me-"
when will he make me the ,offer?'
Before your birthday, Jackson"
rs it as close as that? Is liberty as
close as that? l hadn't realized!
Couldn't we get him to talk to me to
night about it? If I agreed to sell tt
him for half, would he agree to let my
birthday come at once instead of wher
it's scheduled? Would"
The judge was laughing. somewhat
ruefully. Jackson Jones amused him
always; to some extent he could sym
pathize with his revolt against Jones
Vile. He himself had revolted against
Jo~nesville in his youth, but there ha6
been no fortune coming to him with
the arrival Of his manhood to release
him from the hated village. And, be
sides, he was uncomfortable tonight
He wondered If he ought to tell Broad
way what he had learned.
Twill you consider me your law
yer?" the judge asked.
Consider you my lawyer, Judge? Oh
course you are my lawyer. Weren't
you my fathers lawyer"