The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-08-02

uncle Jchn TOOK his leave.
One or two evenings after the abov
conversation, Uncle John called in, an
found Mark at home. The new. come
greeted Mary as though he had not see
her for long while, and he profcssed t.
) feel very happy to see how pleasant,
they were getting along.
Come, Mark, said Percival, after al
subjects of personal news had been ex
hausted, don't you remember my old un
Gle Grant-Grant Mayburn q
Yes, very well, though I have not seel
HIM since was boy. Not for sixteel
years
Well, he's at the - House now
and have called in to get you to wall
down with me. viii you go? We won
stop long
Yes, certainly. I should like to soC
the good old soul He's no real relat OF
of mine, but then he always seemed so.'
You wont find him the hale and hear
| ty-looking man he was when you last saw
him, resumed Percival, while Mark was
getting ready. His lands in Texas have
turned out vast amount of gold into hia
pockets, but his health has gone, and one
arm yet remains among the wiIds of the
Western Wilderness
What has he lost an arm Q uttered
Mary, shuddering.
Yes
Mark was soon ready, and having kissed
his wife, and promised to be back soon, he
followed Percival to the house At the
hotel he found old Uncle Grant, but the
first joys of recognition we're damped by
the change which had come over the old
friend of his youth. Those hairs were
now white with frost and care, the dark
eyes were sunken, the cheeks were pale and
wan, and then that empty sleeve that hung
Tapping by his side, told sad and melan-
choly tale. Yet the old man was kind and
afable, and be promised to visit Mark as
soon as possible.
When the visitors came out from the
hotel Mark went one way and Perciyal an
other.
On the very next evening, Percival cal
led again at Marks, and with him came
an old friend, named Solon Lewis. This
latter had been a school-mate Of Marks,
and was. of oourno, warmly welcomed
For some time the conversation ran up-
on general topics Of reniniscence. At
length Percival remarked;
Poor Uncle Grant! I should think
they might have spared him his arm
So should L. sympathizingly returned
Mark.
'Or,' resumed Pereival. If they must
have one, they might have contented
themselves with his left arm, and let him
keep his right
Mark looked quickly into the speakers
face, with puzzled expression.
why, he said, thoughtfully, 'Unlce
Grant has got his right arm
No, no, Mark,-his right arm he has
lost Hisleft arm he retains
But | know better, Mr.. Percival.-I
He has his right arm safe and sound. /
saw it with my own eyes
you are mistaken, Mark.
But tell you l am not. Just think
for yourself, now
crcivalpressed his hand upon his brow,
as though thinking carefully, and at the
end Of a few moments be said :
You are wrong, Mark. 1t is his right
arm which he has lost. l am very sorry
to contradict you, but | have taken partic-
ular notice.
This is foolish uttered Mark, out of
all patience. Il tell you he has his right
arm safe and sound, and has lost his left
one' ..
'Youare wrong, wrong. Mark.
- But know betterl III bet you any
thing you like
lam perfectly willing to do that
Then what'll you bet?
Eight hundred dollars, as | happen to
have that sum with me-
So do happen to have that sum-
cried Mark, his eyes flashing, 'and III bet
you the eight hundred dollars that Uncle
Grant Mayburn has lost his left arm?'
Produce your money, said Percival,
calmly, at the same time catching Mary's
eye. and giving her look of assurance.
Mark arose and left the room, and when
he returned he bad the sum in his hand,
partly in gold and partly in bank notes.
Let's put the money into Solon's hand,
said Percival
Agreed answered Mark. But re-
member the bet il stake eight hundred
1ollars upon Grant Mayburn's having his
rightarm whole, and having lost his left
lrm.'
That's it, responded Percival.
Il understand said Solon.
'And now said Uncle John, let's go
lown to the hotel and see'
This was agreed to, and away they
vent. Mark did not dare to look Mary |
n the face, but he felt sure he should come
nome happy, for he knew he should win,
md he knew shat Uncle John was able to
ose the money. He rather suspected that
his was Auiet way Percival had concec-
ed Of civinANim eight hundred dollars.
THEW reacbN the hotel, and were at
,nce shown to UAele Grants room. The
I'D man was Just in the Iact Of drumming
,pon the piano, with Ms 'ctt hand =
Mark saw the movement, ard he looked up
IN the old mans right side ,2nd there he
,aw hut an arnless sleeve ban6lng glooml-