The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-08-15


tinued Uncle Jonas, smiling little, but J
can promise you comfortable and trust
a happy home, both for yourself and your
mother, if you will be my wife. You need
not answer me now Mary, but in day OF
two will ride over, and you can tell me
then what you may Think best find
good Uncle Jonas, as he spoke, laid his
hands on Mays bright dark hair, as If he
would ask blessing on her After few
moments, during which little was said, I'm
Gle Jonas mounted Black Charley and rode
slowly away. Mary sa, by her spinning
Wheel but did not spin, tilI the voice Of her
mother, returning from anelghbor's s,remlnd-
d her thai i, was nearly sunset.
|, was some three weeks after the above
wen. lha, the thin, spare form Of Mr., Josh
ua Staples might have beer seen rapidly
crossing the green lawn before his brothers
dwelling. His sharp features wore an an
cry expression, and his little piercing gray
yes sho, fire from under the cover Of his
rverhanging brOws. In his hand he grasp,
ed a small piece of written paper and he
nnrered some naudble words as he has
tened on. There was a quiet smile on
Uncle Jonas face as he watched his broih~
er from The window bu, he turned TO meet
lim as he came into The room in precisely
his ordinary calm manner.
Mr. Joshua Staples without any uses
'ess ceremony plunged at once IN medias
res.
'Wha, does all this mean, brother Jonas'
said he. What sci YOU to 60 and make a
fool OF yourself at your time of liie' and
Mr., Joshua shook the crumpled piece ol
paper in his broIher's face as he spoke. Il
IS well you have me 10 take care for you
Or you would plunge headlong INTO ruin
What is the trouble, brother Joshua?
'aid Uncle Jonas, very mildly. What is
IN the paperr
Take it, said Mr. Joshua thrus,ing j
lpon han, and thank heaven that have
,aved you from such disgrace.
Uncle Jonas smoolhed the crumpled pa
,er and read-,his own marriage notice.
An angry spot burned in his cheeks, ano
lis eye flashed but he subdued himself IL
moment, and answered mildly SO yor
,hnk have done wrong, brother Joshua!
TO be sure Go,you ought 10 be asham'
ed of yourself, to so and set up poor
Deggauy hussy over your own flesh anl
blood
Nay, brother; you forget yourself, Ma
~ Miller NAV be poor, but she is no beg
gar
Mr. Joshua saw he had gone TOO far, ant
,ofened bis tone little. 'That may be
continued he 'bu, arIiul she must be 10 have
en'rapped man Of your years into sucl
idle folly' Uncle Jonas bi! his lip bu
said nothing.
Come said Mr.. Joshua more calmly Il
you are lonely in your castle of house
J James and Joseph shall make you Wis
they desire nothing further than 10 MAKE
you happy and add TO your enjoyment
Very well brother. said Uncle Jonas dc
as you please
Ugcle Jonas said this in so apparently
submissive amer as if in Difference to hi
brothers superior judgementihaI Mr., Josh
Na was satisfied and talked and laughed a
# nothing had happened.
the mex, day brought Jem and Joe sp
4 psrently for friendly visit to their uncI
but in reality as spies upon Uncle jonas
! movements
J Everything went however the same 8
usual; Uncle Jonas appeared to have who
, ly gwen up his IDLE folly as his brother cal
II ed i, and Jem aud Joe grew more confdel
c and boaslful than ever and more idle ar
d luxurious.
8 They were seldom up in season fl
= breakfast and one morning they came dow
later than usual. As they saunsered ind
q Icnuy into the breakfast room they obser
'e ed that Uncle Jonas had preceded she'
~ This was not howeVe. q very uncomm
- event, and they took but lilIle notice OF
Their brssk(as, wss as we'll served as th