Middletown transcript., 1914-02-07
CHAPTER Ii.


q should enjoy the supper better" F"
Broadway said later at the Spotswood
family table, 'if everything / chew,
after I've seen uncle, didn't make me
think of gum. / wish there was a way
Of eating without chewing"
They all laughed, but not very heart
fly. Gum was a sacred word to them
also. It was to every one in Jones'
Vile.
Let's talk things over after sup
per" said the judge. Then, after they
had gonesinto his stuffy little study:
Broadway, I've been talking with your
uncle"
That's one reason l 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 older
your Uncle Abner will be sure to
hear of it"
Must l pretend to love him y
"Er-It might be better to-"
Judge" said Broadway solemnly,
'Tm 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 I blame
you. only wished to say that as
matter of expediency-"
Il don't know just what expediency
means, but if it 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"
'Tll be careful that he pays me.
That's all 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.
'If don't sell, will 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"
"But, Jackson"
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 months or less he
would be twenty-five, and that, as soon
as he was twenty-five, he would be
free, according to the terms of his
dead fathers will, to spend his own |
exactly as he pleased.
Il 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? viii 1t
be on the midnight that begins my
birthday, or the midnight that it ends
with? Quick! I've got to knows
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? hadn't realized!
Couldn't we get him to talk to me to-
night about it? If I agreed to sell to
lim for half, would he agree to let my
come at once instead of when
t's scheduled? Would"
The judge was laughing, somewhat
Jackson Jones amused him,
always; to some extent he could SYM
oathize with his revolt against Jones'
lille. He himself had revolted against
Jonesville in his youth, but there had
been no fortune coming to him with
he arrival of his manhood to release
lin from the hated village. And, be-
jides, he was uncomfortable tonight.
lie wondered If he ought to tell Broad
way what he had learned.
eWill you consider me your law
er?" the Judge asked.
Consider you my lawyer, Judge? OF
.ourse you are my lawyer. Weren't
-ou my fathers lawyer?"
mot always; l did not draw his !