The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1858-01-29

Ne.
81 found it out when was quite
young man, and what prosperity has
cr'wned me, I owe to that"
pray explain, Uncle Luke"
After dinner | will"
Somehow, in spite Of tho extra.
primary preparations E len had
mde for the reception Of her uncle,
thelinner did not pass off very pleas
AMY. There was reserve on his
pat that threw cold water on the
wlole affair. But it was finished at
lat, to the relief OF all.
Now. uncle, come into the par
lor md Ellen shall play you tune
or no on her piano. said Fred as
he Id the way.
"0n her what9' said tho old man ,
will a start Of surprise.
")n her piano. of COURSE"
"rhen you keep a piano2"
Certainly, we could not possibly
get dong without one, could we,
Ellerf"
Sch, no, it's such a comfort"
"Sach a luxury, you mean," an.
swered Uncle Luke with cold
sneer. "What did you give for ita''
"FiVe hundred"
SIS it paid forl"
GCartainlv IL is0
"And your note due tomorrow
which you cannot meetp"
Fred glanced at Ellen, who looked
as woe. be .one as though she had
lost every friend she had in the
world.
sit was not his fault, uncle.
teased it out of him"
Then he is bigger fool than
took him to be-" said Uncle Luke
contemporary. "And when he il
not doing business to pay expenses
you dine on oastturkey and all man
Uncle Luke. though conscious tha
he was meddIing with that which
did not concern him. could not con
troll his ind gnation at the wanton ex
travagance OF the young people. III
felt kindly towards them. as he al
ways had. aud though his word
were hard AMI coll, he intended t
do them a kindness.
"Yes, Ellen, snd you wear sill
gown for every day, AMI to crown
all you have a piano. Do you ex
pect to pay your notes in this man
ner, Fredl' continued he, ''here il
the secret of hard times-extrava
gance-silk dresses, roast turkeys,ic'
creams and pianos."
Things were going on we'll will
me when bought the piano" sug
gested Fred.
mo matter; you are a big fool
Now will tell you what the phil
osopher's stone is."
"Well, uncle, what is it."
"Live within your means. Ifyo
earn but one dollar, spend only sev
enty. five cents, "and Uncle Luke pu
on his great coat and edged toward
the door, without even abiding t.
the important topic in which Free
felt 90 much interest.
"But, Uncle Luke, you can len,
me the money / want?' said Fred
dismayed at tho prospect OF u lail
ure.
"No, l cannot"
"Then must fail"
"You ought to have thought 9
that when You bought the piano,
replied Uncle Luke sternly. I'D
you know Waters?"
"The carpenter?"
"Yes. Apply to him and he Wi
lend you the money"
"But he is almost stranger t
me-" said Fred.
"No matter, go to him." aad Un
Gle Luke lett the house.
20, Fred, this is all my fault,
said Ellen, bursting into tears.
Fred applied to Waters.
What security can you givel
asked the carpenter.
II don't know said Fled, doubt
ingly. my stock is mortgaged,"
"No household furniture!"
| "No."
"What have you gotl'
"A piano, and"
"That will do, give me a bill {
sale of that. lfnot paid within thirt
days, the piano shall be mine."
Fred assented, and received th
money. The papers were executed
and Fred got out Of his difiicultie'
During the succeeding thirty day
he tried hard to raise the money /
redeem the piano, without success
Waters took It at the appointed tim
and seemed perfectly satisfied wit
his bargain.
i A few days after the young coup
were surprised to receive an invit'
tion to dine with Uncle Luke; and
their establishment, when they arri
cd, they found the piano In his litt
Iparlor. 20 .a.s ~
ibid you buy thisa" .sans
But Uncle Luke would answer .
Questions, yet he promised b NAL