Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1855-02-14
MARTINsBURe va WEDNEspAT NoRNINe 1EBRUARY Il ss5.


face was covered with smiles when she well
coined the honest OLD man to the hospisalises
of her beard.
Unele Luke seated himself at the table -
His accustomed smile bad disaf peared, and
be looked rather stern
Fred, said he suddeoly, as the young
merchant inserted bis fork in the breast Of
the nicriy Drowned young turkey, you havn't
found the philosophers stone yet
Fred suspended the operation Of carving
the turkey, and gazed with look Of aston
isbment into the face Of the speaker.
sWbat do YOU mean. Uncle Luke q asked
Ihp.
You don't know what the philosopher
stone is, DO you?'
No.
4 found i when ! was quite a young man,
and whatever prosperity has crowned me, !
owe to that.
/ Pray explain, Uncle Luke
After dinner. | will
| 'somehow in spite Of the extraordinary
| preparations Ellen had made FOR the reception
Of Der uncle, the dinner did not pass off very
/ pleasantly. There was reserve on the part
of all the party, which threw cold water on
the whole affair. But Il was finished at last
to the relief Of all.
Now, uncle, come into the parlor, and FL
len shall play you tune or two on her
piano, said Fred leading the way.
/ On her what ? exclaimed the old man.
with start Of surprise.
On the piano, Of course
Then you keep piano 7
Certainly; we could not possibly get along
without a piano, could we, Ellen
I am sure We couldn't replied the young
wife. o. it is such comfort
ssuch luxury, you mean, answered I'm
Gle Luke, with cold sneer, what did you
give for it 2
Five hundred
SIS it paid for2
Certainly it is
And your note due to morrow, Which you
cannot meet
Fred glanced at Ellen, who looked as woe
be gone, as though she had lost every friend
she had 10 the world.
1t was not bis fault, uncle; teazed it out
Of him. said she
Then be is bigger fool than / took him
to be, replied uncle Luke, conternptuously.
Sand when he was not doing business
enough to pay expenses, you dine on roast
turkey, and all manner Of fancy stuff
Uncle Luke. though conscious that be was
meddling with what did not concern him,
could aot control his Indignation at the wan
ton extravaganza of the young people. lie
felt kindly towards them. as he always had
aud though his words were harsh and cold
he intended to do them Kindness,
Yes, and Ellen you wear silk gown fol
every day, and to crown sll, you have got {
piano. Do you expect TO pay your notes il
this manner, Fred z continued lie, here il
the secret or hard times--extravagan
silk dresses, roast turkeys, ice creams, ant
' pianos
Things we're going very we'll with m
t when bought the piano. suggested Fred
No matter; you are fool. Now wi
/ tell you what the philosophers stone ID
6 Uncle Luke paused and looked coldly int
G the eye Of the young merchant.
We'll, uncle what is it Z?
f, Live within your means. If you dou
= earn but dollar, spend only seventy fv
cents, and Uncle Luke put on bis great COZ
4 apd hat edged towards the door, withor
n even abiding to the important topic in While
Fred felt so much interest.
) But. Uncle Luke, can you lend mo Il
o money want p asked Fred dismayed {
u the thought of failure
Z No cannot.
4 Then / must fall
q on ought to have thought Of that whc
/ you bought tile piano replied Uncle LUX
y sternly, Do you know Waters?
The carpenter
!. Yes
y Il do.
: Apply to him; he will lend you the mos
ey.'
: But he is almost stranger to me
No matter; go to him. and uncle Lux
LEFT the house.
t s0h Fred this is all my fault said Elei