The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-11-02
Hypnotizing the
Judge
By GRACE wEATHERBY
Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
syndicate.)
"I'll bet you a War Savings stamp
that III make that old crank of
Judge pay for the curtainsl" The ex-
cited voice of Merrie Crayton rose
above the buzz in the wide hall of the
Crayton home. Merrie, the only ana
well-beloved daughter of Colonel Cray
ton, was a beautiful girl of twenty
summers. whose CHEEKY manner ana
loving disposition endeared her In the
hearts of the people Of the little town
Of Deanyllle. and since babyhood her
dignified given name of Margaret had
been discarded for the more suitable
one Of Merrie. On this warm summer
day large party Of young people
were gathered in the hall of Merrie's
home to discuss ways and means OF
providing a pair of curtains for the
stage of the town hall. A little play
was TO be given soon for the benefit
of the. Red Cross, and pair of cur
tains were absolutely necessary. How
to get the money for them was the
question which was troubling the
minds of the young folks. Judge Ora
ham was very penurious man, who
according to the small boys of the
town, had barrels and barrels of mon
ey hidden under the apple trees" Mer-
rie's suggestion was 10 ask him to pay
for the curtains. This suggestion was
greeted with a laugh, and said to be
highly impossible. Nothing was impos-
sible, according to Merrie's rule in life,
and so she determined to visit the
judge and try her luck.
Stanley Morton, splendid young
man in the service, who had just re-
turned from France. took up her bet.
"T'll go you, Merrie" he cried, but |
don't believe you can do it." Just
you wait and see, then" was the retort
as Merrie caught up her wide garden
hat and sped down the street to the
judges home.
In answer to her vigorous pull on the
old-fashioned knocker the judges one
and only servant, Maria Jane Ham
mond, and very neat In her attire,
opened the door.
In short time the Judge appeared.
He was very much surprised to see
who his caller was. During his life
he had had little to do with the ladies
and wished for less. Merrie rose and
held out her hand. Judge Graham
she said sweetly. II have come on
very important mission. | am rep
resentative of the committee which is
directing the play to be given in the
town hall next week, and have come
to ask you to furnish the money to
buy a pair of curtains for the stagew
For a second the judge blinked
dazedly at her Then his temper rose.
Young lady, am very sorry ! can
not comply with your request, have
no money to spend for foolish nom
sensel" Merrie smiled, absolutely I'M
disturbed. 1T does sound foolish,
doesn't it," she said, but really, it
is not. because it Is for the benefit
of the Red Cross. You know we sim
ply cannot change the scenes without
curtain. that would be too much !"
She smiled so bewitchingly that the
judge was forced TO wipe his brow
with his handkerchief. "Well--er--I
IL can't be bothered with 1t, so therel
and he stormed out of the library,
leaving Merrie alone.
She sat very still in her chair and
then half rose. mo, won't be beaten
In this way" she declared, and again
resumed her seat. The Judge came
In for his glasses, which he had left
on the table. He was utterly aston
ished to find HIS fair visitor still there.
Why" he stopped, helplessly. I'm
after the money for the curtain, you
know, judge I" The poor man was
baffied. He argued with her for
while, and then he, Judge Alexander
r. Graham, silently and submIssively
took out his fat wallet and extracted
from IL three $50 bills. lis that
enough?" he asked. Yes, l believe
so, Merrie answered, and stuffed the
money into her bag. As she was es-
corted to the door, she turned to the
judge. Your bark is lots worse than
your bite, judge" and she departed,
leaving the man looking after her. AT
home the young people eagerly awaited
her return She waved tha hills aIoft