Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-01-19


twisting off the ends of his fingers until
offered chair? o no. Pm at home
wherever GO
AS he said this, he placed his large
white fur hat, which had seen some little
service, upon the pier table between two
neatly arranged flower saucers.and stood
his heavy cane against one of the pure
white marble columns supporting the
maDtle-pleCe.
We'll 3Cilia;' he resumed as he seated
himself heavily in chair, 'How are you
enjoying your visit home!'
Il am enjoying it very much, Uncle
the niece replied. smiling pleasantly, for
she could not find it in her heart to treat
coldlY.
'Uncls-U,cle-[t's all Uncle now
But before you went to that boarding
school, or rather that finishing shop. as |
cali it, it was Uncle Peter. Call me I'm
Gle Peter, child. That's my name.'
'But Pm sure Uncle sounds great
deal BETTER replied Cecilia.
Pm sure it does not, and begging your
pardon. Uncle Peter is my name, and
what is right always sounds best. And
there is your mother too, she could call
me Peter until within few years. But
now her mouth has got kink in it, |
suppose, anu can get out nothing but
.b' ohr.'
Peter is such a vulgar name, Uncle.'
Indeed! And how long since you made
that discovery, pray
%, as TO that, ever since could think
at all 1 have Thought sos
'Reallyt That is discovery! A vulgar
name!. Bless the child! Her head must
be turned. But. why is it vulgar, 'Cilia?'
oh, because it is vulgar. Every clod
hopper is named Peter.'
Then. it follows of course that am q
clodhopper?'
% no, didn't say so, nor mean to say
SO. | only said that you had vulgar
name.'
WAS the Apostle Peter clodhopper?'
'Of course not. You know that din't
mean to refer to him. Uncle.
.s5ay Uncle Peter!!'
'Uncle Peter, them
'That'll do. That sounds natural, and
what is more. affectionate. But let US
see? Al, was Peter the Hermit clod-
hopper? A low vulgar feliows'
Mo-
Or Peter the Great? You've heard of
that individual Ipresume.'
% don't talk so brother, you only wor-
ry, Cecilia interposcd Mrs. Howard.
Say Peter,' reioined the incorrible old
man.
peter then, if that will please you.-
And now will you do something to please
me?'
Il am. sure don't know. What is it!?'
'You wish to be called Peter?'
Exactly! That is by my sister-for it
is my name. When we were children
together YOU always called me Peter
And believe am no older than you
now than was then.'
'Very well. Now if you wish me to
conform to your prejudices, l wish you
to conform in some things to mine.'
.'All right. Now speak out plump and
plain
81 wish, then. to be called sister,
Indeed! Well what do call youf'
You call me Hannah ..-
.sVery well. Amt that your names'
yes, but
saint it very good, substantial old
name, worth half dozen of your Melvi-
mas, Cecilias, Cordelias and Deldabosas?
| think So
yes; but would rather be called
sister,
And | would rather call you Hannah.
| like the name. Itreminds me of good
old times-of the days when we were
young
'But we are young no longer brother.
Say Peter
NO shall do no such thing. You are
my brother and | will call you so. As
was going to say, we are no longer chill
dren, and should put away childish things.
1t looks silly for persons of our age to be
calling each other by their Christian
name-especially before people,
so be saying Peter and Hannah you
mean?'
yes, to be saying Peter and Hannah,
or using any other Christian names
'What does your husband call you ?
asked Uncle Peter, looking at his sister
with. half closed eyes, in each of which
was shrewd twinkle.
He calls me Mrs. Howard
In company
yes
i can remember when he did not even
do that
sRealiy brother
Say Peter
Il wont do any such thing. So you
may just set your heart to rest on that
score
sThere-there. keep COOL the old man
interrupted her with pleasant smile g.
soothing tone. Gall me what you please
before people. But tay Peter just to
oblige me when we are alone. 1t sounds
more natural go
Then furnino RI hic niece he said - 3