Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-03-06

II paid off fifteen hundred"
"And the rest %
"Well, that went in various ways"
"And your stock is all mortgaged 2"
"Yes."
"Well, we'll, am in a hurry just
now, but will 60 by and by and dine
with You, and we'll talk it over" and
Uncle Luke went out of the shop
Frel did not like his uncle's inquisl-
tivcncss. but he had strong hopes that
he would help him out Of his present
difficulties.
Writing hasty note, he dispatched
his boy to inform his wife thai Uncle
Luke would dine with them.
CHAPTER III.
Dinner came, and SO did Uncle Luke.
Ellen had u nice dinner ready, and her
pretty face was covered with smiles
when she welcomed the honest Old man
to partaks Of the hosptali,ics OF her
board.
Uncle Luke seated himself at the ta
bic. His accustomed smile had disap-
pcarcd, and he looked rather stern.
Erred" said he suddenly, as the
Young merchant inserted his fork in the
breast of nicely Drowned turkey, "you
have not found the philosophers stone
yet"
Fred suspended the operation CT
carving the turkey, and gaxcd with a
look Of astonishment and surprise full
in the face Of the speaker.
"What do you mean, Uncle Luke -
said he.
"You don't know what the philoso
piers stone is, do you? 20
"No."
81 found it out when I was quite a
young man and what prosperity has
crowned me, | owe to that"
"Pr.y explain, Uncle Luke"
"After dinner | will"
| Somehow, in spite of the sxtraordi-
nary preparations Ellen had made for
the reception 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.
'Now, 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 what's said the old man.
with start Of surprise.
"On her piano, of course"
"Then you keep piano %
"Certainly, we could not possibly get
along without one, could We, Ellen %
"Oh, it's such comfort"
"Such a luxuary, you mean," an
suered Uncle Luke with a sneer, "what
did you give for it ?"
GIVE hundred -
els it paid for?''
"Certainly it ISL
"And your note due tomorrow,
which you cannot meet 20
Fred glanced at Ellen, who looked
as woe-be-gone as though she had lost
every friend she had in the world.
cit was not his fault, Uncle. teas
ed it out Of him." she replied.
"Then he is bigger fool than l
thought he was," said Uncle Luke con-
tcmptuously. "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 meddling with that which did
not concern him, could not control his
indignation at the wauton extravaganza
of the young people. He felt kindly to-
wards them, as he always had, and
though his words were hard and cold,
he intended to do them a kindness.
eyes, Ellen, and you wear silk
gown for every day, and to crown all
you have got piano. Do you expect
to pay YOU. note in this manner, Fred -
continued he, "here is the secret Of hard
times - extravaganza - silk dresses,
roast turkeys, ice creams and pianos. :"
"Things were going on we'll with me
when l bought the piano. suggested
Fred.
"No matter; you are big fool.
Now l will tell you what philoso-
piers stone ISIS
"Well, uncle, what is it 20
"Live within your means. If you
earn but one dollar, spend only seventy
five cents,'' and Uncle Luke put on his
great coat and edged towards the door,
without even abiding to the important
topic in which Fred felt so much inter-
est.
"But, Uncle Luke you can lend me
the money 1 want z" asked Fred, dis
mayed at the thought of a failure.
No, I cannot"
"Then I must fail"
"You ought to have thought of that
when you bought the piano." replied
Uncle Luke sternly. EDO you know
Waters %
"The carpcnter?''
eyes. Apply to him and he will
lend you the money!
"But he IS almost stranger to me-
said Fred.
mo matter, 60 to him." and Uncle
Luke left the house.
ooh, Fred, this is all my fault"
said Ellen, bursting into tears.
Fred applied to Waters.
'What security can you give 20 ask
ed the carpenter.
Il don't know" said Fred doubt.
ingly. "My stock is mortgaged."
"No household furniture 20
H:No.'