The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-02-07

They all laughed, but not very heart
lily. Gum was a sacred word to them
also. 1t was to every one in Jones
Vile
Let's 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
That's one reason 1 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. Its not polite for you to
speak that way, my boy. The older
your Uncle Abner will be sure to
hear of it,
Must 1 pretend to love him."
tEr-It might be better to-" =
Judge" said Broadway soIemnIy.
. I'm a pretty good little amateur actor.
but there are some parts I'd never try
to play. One of them is that Of loving
nephew to my Uncle Abner Jones'
Judge Spotswood sighed. 81 know,
my hoy, and don't know that blame
you. l only wished to say that as a
matter of expediency-"
ct don't know just what expediency
means, but if it has anything to do
with Uncle Abner 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 d.
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 1 care about"
Don't be in a hurry What I'm
afraid of-but I ought not to talk in
| this way. Abner Jones has never
done me an i'll turn. OF course your
father was my client
And dear uncle put his hooks into
my dad whenever he could get them
caught SOS he could pull, didn't he?"
He is a shrewd business man But
don't sell. Jackson" The judge was
clearly i'll at ease.
eff don't sell, will 1 have to turn
to and make gum?"
You ought to. A goose that lays
a golden egg should be well cared for
Let uncle raise the poultry. I'd
rather sell the eggs"
/ '<R,lf Jackso0-"
Judge, will you come to see me in
New York;"
The conversation had brought Jack
son Jones to sudden realization OF the
fact that in eleven mouths or less he
would be twenty two, and that, as soon
as he was twenty-five, he would be
| free, according to the terms OF his
dead fathers viii, to spend his own
exactly as he pleased.
'T 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 IL
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, 1 know
you'll go. But don't sell to your uncle
Promise me-"
when will he make me the offer?'
Before your birthday, Jackson
'Is it as close as that? Is liberty as
close as that? I hadn't realized
Couldn't we get him to talk to me to
night about it? If I agreed to sell tC
him for half, would he agree to let my
birthday come at once instead OF whe1
it's scheduled? Would
The judge was laughing, somewhat