Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-09-18

wo'd get him out of his present scrape-
Writing hasty note, he dispatched hi.
boy to inform his wife that Uncle Luke
would dine with them.
CgAPTRR III.
Dinner time came and so did Uncle
Luke. Ellen had nice dinner ready
and her pretty face was covered with
smiles when she welcomed the honest old
man to partake of the hospitalities of their
board
Uncle Luke seated himself at the table.
His accustomed smile had disappeared,
and he looked rather stern
Fred.,' said he suddenly as the young
merchant inserted his fork in the breast
of nicely Drowned roast turkey, you
have not found the Philosophers Stone
yet.'
Fred. suspended tbs operation of car
wing the turkey, and gazed with look
of astonishment, full in the face of the
speaker
What do you mean Uncle Luke p he
asked
You don't know what the Philoso-
piers stone is, do you7'
No.
found it out when I was quite a
young man, and what prosperity has
crowned, [ owe to that
Pray, explain. Uncle Luke
After dinner, | will
Somehow, in spite of the extraordinary
preparations Ellen had made for the re-
ception of her Uncle, the dinner did not
pass off very pleasantly. There was
reserve on his part which threw cold wa
ter on the while affair But it was finish
ed at last to the relief of all
Now, uncle, come into the parlor, and
Ellen shall play you tune or two on her
piano. said Fred, leading the way,
'On her what p said the old man with
start of surprise.
On her piano, of course
Then you keep a piano q
Certainly we could not poss bly, get
along without piano, could we Ellen
I'm sure we couldn't replied the
young wife
oh it is such a comfort
Such luxury. you mean,' answered
Uncle Luke, with cold sneer what did
you pay for it p
Five hundred
Is it paid for p
Certainly it is'
And your note due tomorrow which
you cannot meet
Fred glanced at Ellen, who looked as
weo-begone, as though she had lost every
friend in the world
1t was not his fault uncle; l teased it
out of him. said she
Then be is a bigger fool than [ took
him to be- replied Uncle Luke contemptu-
ously. And when he was not doing bus
mess enough to pay expenses, you dined
on roast turkey, and all manner of fancy
stuff
Uncle Luke, though conscious told him
that he was meddling with that which did
not concern him, could not control his in
dignation at the wonton extravagance of
tie young people He felt as kindly TO-
wards them, as he always had, and though
his words were harsh and cold, he intend
ded to do them kindness
Yes, 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 p he contin-
ued, here is the secret of hard times,
ice creams and pianos
Things were going on very well with
me when [ bought the piano. suggested
Fred.
No matter you are fool Now [ will
tell you what Philosophers Stone is
Uncle Luke paused and looked coldly
into the eyes of the young merchant
We'll, Uncle, what is it p
Live within your means. If you dc
not earn but dollar, spend only sevent
FIVE cents and Uncle Luke put on his
great coat and had edged toward the
door, without even alluding to the i'm
portant topic in which Fred felt so much
interest
But, Uncle Luke. can you lend me the
money want p asked Fred, dismayed a
the thought of failure.
No, | cannot
| Then [ must fail
You ought to have thought of tha
when you bought the piano replied uncl
Luke. sternly Do you know Waters
The carpenter
Yes
Apply to him and he will le1d yon Ii
money
But he is almost a stranger to me.
No matter, 60 to him And Uncl
Luke left the house.
'Ohl Fred, this is all my fault sal
Ellen. bursting into tears.
, Fred. did apply to Waters
} What security can you givef aske
the carpenter.
, Il don't know replied Fred, doubling
", my stock is mortgaged.'
Household furniture 2
No
What have you got p
! A piano, and -,