Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-01-29


last ten years" said Mrs. spotswood.
mo; you bet ne didn't, broadway
acknowledge bitterly.
rs Dave in the kitchen, mom?1 the
Judge inquired, as Mrs. Spotswood
started for the lemonade.
Yes
He went to her c0n1dentially, hand
ing her a coin, as soon as he was sure
that Broadway and his friend were lost
in contemplation of the portrait. sGive
him this quarter them he whispered,
eand tell him to go over to the drug
store and get six good cigars for me"
Though this was mad extravaganza,
she countenanced it upon this great oc-
casion. 'IIl tell him right away" she
promised, and the judge smiled at her.
She always rose to great occasions.
Didn't remember Clara, did you,
when She went to the door?" he genial
ny inquired of Broadway.
NO; I didn't" he admitted. "She's
quite a lady now, isn't she?"
Nineteen, les twenty"
Shes a mighty pretty girl, judge
Wallace commented, with feryor.
well, we're proud of her. The
judge made a gesture as If warning
them to listen carefully, and then
dropped his voice, almost to a whisper.
This was the Homecoming of a Jones,
and this was Jonesville. 1t should, he
held, be celebrated in something
stronger than lemonade. With an eye
upon the door, be pulled a flask out OF
his pocket. Il thought maybe you
boys would like a little drop of some
thing, so I brought home this flask.
Can't I fix you up a drink, Broadway
Jackson guessed its quality, and,
though his system yearned for alco-
hol. rejected the mere thought. mo
now, thanks"
mn. WalIace?"
Taking his cue from Jackson, Wal
lace shook his head. "a little later,
Judge"
The Judge put the flask back in his
pocket. We'll, don't say anything
about it. Mrs. Spotswood would raise
thunder If she thought 1 brought it in
the house. She's an awful temperance
crank"
Not a word from me, judge" Broad.
way assured him.
Nor from me" said Wallace.
They were wondering why he did
not begin to discuss business, but he
soon explained. Wait till you see
Sammy, you won't know him." he be
gan, beaming upon Broadway. Hell
be here directly. I sent him to the of
fee for some papers. 1 want you to
see a copy of that will"
Yes; I'd like to, just as soon as pos,
sible," Broadway admitted.
The Judge turned to Wallace. "You
knew very few people imagined that
this boy would come in for it all?"
II can't understand it myself" said
Broadway.
"of course l knew" said the Judge
complacently.
But I always supposed, Judge, that
the old gentleman hated me-"
No, street" exclaimed the Judge
"Of course he didn't like the idea OF
your going to New York as soon as you
grew up and not taking hold OF the
business as your father had. But he
never would have bought you out il
he'd not been afraid you'd sell to some
one else.
Il know. I was in his confidence
after you went away. He didn't want
you to go to New York because he
didn't understand you. He never had
the least idea that you'd take up the
wholesale liquor business down there,
or take up any other business for that
matter. He feared you'd go squander.
ing your money.
Il wish he had known the truth be
fore he died! But he was really very
fond of YOU, though ne didn't always
show it in a way you recognized, per.
haps. Naturally he would be; never
married; no children Of his own.
HE used to feel hurt that you nev,
er came to Q him; but hs always fig
ured that she plant and grim belonged
to you. You didn't understand cue an.