Squatter sovereign., 1855-05-01

.
friend she had IN the world.
sit was not his fault. uncle; teazed it
out of him. said she.
Then he is bigger fool than l took him
to be" replied Uncle Luke, contemptuous-
ly. ..And when he was not doing busi-
ness enough to pay expenses, you dine on
roast turkey, and all manner of fancy
stuff. .
Uncle Luke, though conscious that he
was meddling with what did not concern
him, could not contro! his Indignation at
the wanton extravaganza of the young peo-
pie. He felt kindly towards them as he
always had, and though his words were
harsh and cold, he intended to do them a
kindness.
eyes, and Ellen you wear silk gown
for every day, and to crown all, you have
got piano. Do You expect to pay your
notes in this manner, Fred?" continued he,
s.here is the secret of hard times-extrav-
agance-silk dresses, roast turkeys, ice
creams, and pianos
Things were going very well with
me when bought the piano." suggested
Fred.
"No matter; you are q fool. Now
l will tell you what the philosophers stone
is."
Uncle Luke paused and looked coldly
into the eye of the. young merchant.
"Well uncle, what is its''
"Live within your means. IF you do
not earn but dollar, spend only seventy
five cents" and Uncle Luke put on his
great coat and hat, and edged towards the
door, without even alluding to the impor-
tant topic in which Fred felt so much in
terest.
"But. Uncle Luke, can you lend me the
money l want2" asked Fred, dismayed at
the thought of failure.
"No. I cannot"
"Then must fall
"You ought to have thought of that
when you bought the piano" replied I'm
Gle Luke, sternly. "Do you know Wa
ters?''
"The carpensera"
eyes"
81 do"
"Apply to him; he will lend you the
money"
"But he is almost stranger to me-"
"No matter; go to him." and Uncle
Luke left the house.
"Oh Fred this is all my fault" said Ell
len bursting into tears.
"No matter, my dear. It will all come
round right
Fred did apply to Waters.
"What security can you give2" asked the
carpenter.
81 don't know, replied Fred, doubtingly.
My stock is mortgaged."
Household furniturea'
"No."
"What have you got2e
GA piano, and"
"That will do; give me bill of sale OF
that. If not paid within thirty days the
piano is mine."
Fred assented and received the money.
The papers were executed and Fred got
out of the scrape.
During the succeeding thirty days he
tried hard to raise the money to redeem
the piano without success. Waters took it
at the appointed time, and seemed perfect
ly satisfied with his bargain.
A few days after, the young couple were
surprised to receive an invitation to dine
with Uncle Luke, and to their astonishrnent
when they arrived, they found their piano,
in his snug little parlor.
"Did you buy thiss" asked Fred.
But Uncle Luke would answer no ques-
tions. yet he promised to make him a pre-
sent of it as soon as he paid all his debts.
The dinner consisted of corned beef and
baked potatoes, with an apple pie for dcs-
sert. Uncle Luke was IN unusually good
spirits, and never once apologised tor
the singular fare he had set before his
guests.
But they understood the meaning of it.
They brought home the philosophers stone
and began to live by much humber sys-
tenn. The hired girl was discharged, and
Ellen had so much to do in attending TO
her household duties that she had no time
to be lonesome. They were much happier
than when she moped all day IN the par
lor, and better than this, the times began
to mend, and Fred's business prospered
again. He paid off his mortgage, and the
piano was duly returned to them, be-
cause they could afford to support such a
luxury.
* There have been heavy ya;,,s IN