Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-07-10
my UNcLEs GIFT.
BY LUCY A. RANDALL.

1 Silver mounted spectacles-butternut CO.
cred garments. and hat which might hav
been somewhat near the mode a dozen year
ago-in this costume old Mr.. Medworth di
not much resemble the fashionable exquisite
who were wont to throng the parlors of bi
widowed sister-in-laW. But the respectful at
tentiOn paid him, even in all bis antiquity
denoted him TO be parsonage of no small
cOnsequnce in that domestic circle.
"Fashiouably educated, eh ?" was his com
ment, as he surveyed the young ladies who
had just entered the apartment. "Well
girls, suppose you think there's nothing
more to be learned in this world"
II assure you brother Joseph, they grndu-
ated with great honor" interposed Mrs. Med
worth. Emma. my love, bring your diplo
mas here-perhaps your uncle"
mo, you needs't," interposed Mr.. Med
worth. gruffly, The girls can tell me what
they know well enough-piano playing, flow
er painting, embrOidering, aud all that sort o
. trash, Ill warrant"
French and Spanish, uncle F' chimed il
Miss Isabel.
"German and Latin !" added Emma, the
! younger.
/ "Fudge and fddesticks !" echoed the old
man, irritably. "Can you make shirt that,
a more important thing altogether, let NE
tell you, you ever intend to catch husband
Whas do you know of bread-making, and pie.
baking, aud house keeping, eh? That's The
kind of education girls need in this republi-
can country
Miss Isabel gave leint shriek-Even En-
ma looked horror-stricken, as Uncle JOSEPH
folded up his spectacles with determined air
"But. my dear brother" urged Mrs. Med
worth, gently, s.these requirements are no Ion
ger judged necessary"
al don't care,'' assented the old map, 81
consider em indispensable"
"But do you mean"
"I mean that, if you care about consulting
my wishes or advice, Bell and Emma will &c
to work and learn something sensible, instead
of French fandangoes and piano music. That's
what mean"
Uncle Joseph got up and bristled out O
the room as he spoke, as if the matter were
finally settled. Mrs. Medworth and her daugh-
ters looked atIone another 10 blank dismay.-
At length the former broke the silence.
'My dear girls, think you had better fol.
low your upcles advice, disagreeable as it
may at first seem. His Judgment is excellent
snd- besides we are totally dependent on his
generosity"
81 never, never can, mamma, sighed Isabel
''To think of going into the kitchen, like &
servant girl, and all to crafty a whim of Un-
Gle Joseph's."
"Now l think it would be great fun, sait
Emma, gaily; II believe Uncle Joseph is righ
and our education has been neglected, and
mean Immediately TO set about reforming The
defect"
''You can do as you like" said Isabel
haughtily. Il intend to wed a rich husband
whose wealth will preclude the necessity o
my becoming kitchen drudge"
YES" said Emma; 'but a knowledge o
housekeeping will not be of any disadvantage
to us, rich or poor, Bell"
Isabel tossed her head.
Just as you chose but I'm not to be dom
ineered over any longer by Uucle Joseph !!
You have made very sensible decision
my DEAR" said the old gentleman, when Emm,
announced her intentions to him that evening
Let Bell marry a second Croesus, if sh
likes in this world of reverses and change, sht
may one day discover that there are some requir
ments more precious than the winged gold sh
values so highly"
Emma Medworths fashionable acquaintan
ces were shocked by the tidings that she ha.
| began the study of kitehen-lOre; some pronoun
ced her little deranged, others wondered a
her vulgar taste, and few, very, very few
thought secretly that she was sensible girl
Isabel and her wealthy lover, it is needles
to add, were not among the last.
Two years afterward, one of those devasta
ting commercial crisis, before whose smoo
breath fortunes melt away, and the boarded
treasures of years are scattered TO the fou
winds of heaven, swept through the country
Mrs. Medworth's small competence was involv
ed in the general whirlpool of ruin, and thi
was not all. Her widowed daughter Isabel
whose palace of wealth had been shattered b,
the misfortunes of one disastrous week, return
| ed 10 her mothers house, dependent and heart
broken, burden to those who were ill-able I,
suppors-her.
Unc Joseph quietly watched the course o
events and smiled TO himself, as he observet
Emm unshaken courage and vivacity, an,
the excellent application she made of her house
hold accomplishments. Now, indeed, she ha,
learned their value.
"Nice girl. that" soliloquized Uncle Joseph
on his way to the bankers mot the sort Il
break down and melt away, like a snow wreath
at the first touch of calamity. l like littl
Emma. twenty vars old to-day. is she ?
Well, 1 must see if the old man cant fin
some sort of an acceptable present for her."
The carriage which was to convey old Nj
Medworth to the railroad depot was at the doc
he had hidden each member of the famil
adieu, with the single exception of his young
estniece-and as he gave her a parting kiss
be said frankly
My dear. I'm getting to be an old man
and these visits 10 the city begin to seem like
weighty undertakings, so it isn't at all hkel!
you will ever see me again. Don't interrupt
me child know you're fond of your old un-
Gle. but shall love you just as well then, ever
| If don't have chance TO tell you so ever,
day. havn't forgotten that this is you
birthday" he dded, slipping little box int