The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-11-24

aWell, well, I am in hurry just now,
but will 90 by and by and dine with you
and will talk it over" And Uncle Luke
went out of the shop.
Fred did not like his uncle's inquisti-
veness, but he had strong hopes that he
would help him out Of his present Difficult
ties.
Writing hasty note, he despatched
his boy to inform his wife that Uncle Luke
would dine with them. aA
CHAPTER III.
Dinner came, and so did Uncle Luke
Ellen had nice dinner ready, and her pref
ty face was covered with smiles, when she
welcomed the honest old man to partake of
the hospitalities Of her 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 a
nicely Drowned turkey, "you have not found
the philosophers stone yet" !
Fred suspended the operation Of cary
ing the turkey, and grazed with look of
astonishment and surprise full in the face
of the speaker.
"What do you mean, Uucle Luke 2" said
he.
"You don't know what the philosophers
stone is, do you!" N
"No."
81 found it out when was quite young
man, and what prosperity has crowned me,
I owe to that"
"Pray explain, Uncle Luke"
"After dinner I will"
Somehow, in spite of the extraordinary
preparation Ellen had made for the recep-
ton of her uncle, the dinner did not pass
off very pleasantly. There was reserve
on his part that threw cold water on the
whole affair. But it was finished at last,
to the relief of all.
Snow, uncle, come into the parlor and
Ellen shall play You tune or two on her
piano." said Fred, as he led the way.
"On her whats ~ said the old man, with
a start of surprise.
"On her piano. Of course"
"Then you keep piano!"
"Certainly, we could not possibly get
along without one, could we, Ellen?"
"Ob, no, it's such comfort"
"Such luxury, you mean," answered
Uncle Luke with a cold sneer, "what did
you give for it?"
"Five hundred"
as it paid for?"
"Certainly it is"
"And your note due tomorrow, which
| you cannot meetw
Fred glanced at Ellen, who looked as
woe-begone as though she had lost every
friend she had in the world.
at was not his fault, uncle. I teased
it out Of him." she replied
"Then he is bigger fool than took
him to be- said Uncle Luke, contemptous-
ly. "And when he was not doing business
to pay expenses, you dine on roast turkey
and all manner Of fancy stuff"
Uncle Luke, though conscious that he
was medding with that which did not con-
cern him, could not control his Indignation
at the wanton extravaganza Of the young
people. He felt kindly toward them as ho
always had, and though his words were
hard and cold, he intended to do them a
kindness.
"Yes, Ellen, and you wear 4 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 continaed he,
"here is the secret Of hard times--extrava.
gance-silk dresses, roast turkeys, leo
creams and pianos"
"Things were going on we'll with me
when I bought the piano." suggested Fred.
"No, matter; you are big fool. Now
| will tell you what the philosophers stone
is."
"Well, uncle, what is it
"Live within your means. If you earn
but one dollar spend only seventy-fve
cents" and Uncle Luke put on his great
coat and edged towards the door, without
even alluding to the important topic in
which Fred felt so much interest.
"But, Uncle Luke, you can lend me tho
money want9" asked Fred, dismayed at
the thought of failure.
"No, cannot"
"Then | must fail"
"You ought to have thought of that
when you bought the piano." replied Un-
Gle Luke, sternly. "Do you know Wa.
ters 7"
"The carpenterw
"Yes. Apply to him and he will lend
you money"
"But he is almost a stranger to me-"
said Fred. ,.t
"No matter, go TO him." and Uncle
Luke left tho house.
20, Fred, this is all my fault" said El-
len, bursting into tears.
Fred applied to Waters.
"What security can you give 7" asked the
carpenter.
III don't know" said Fred, doubtingly.
"My stock is mortgagedl"
"No household furniturep
"No."
"N hat have you gotl"
"a piano, and"
"That will do, give me hill Of sale Of
al A 81