Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-09-27


happened to call at the store, and Fred, sta
ted his position.
"Eh," said the blunt old mechanic, 1
thought things were going on sWimmingly
with you"
$50 they were, but the times are so deu-
cedly hard that I cannot make enough to
pay expenses" replied Fred, with dolor-
GUS expression of countenance.
"Where's the 50, 900 which you received
from your fathers estate?"
81 paid my debts with it"
"But didn't you tell me that you didn't
owe above s2,OO0?"
81 paid off $780,"
"And the rest?"
"Well, that went in various ways"
"And your stock is all mortgaged?"
eyes; for 81, 1,OOO."
"You have done good business Z"
eyes"
"Well, well, I am in hurry just now,
but 1 will go up and dine with you, and
we will talk it over" and Uncle Luke left
the shop.
Fred did not like his uncle's iuquisitive-
ness, but had strong hope that he would
get him out of his present scrape. Writing
a hasty note, he despatched his boy to in
form his wife that Uncle Luke would dine
with them.
Dinner came, and so did Uncle Luke.
Ellen had nice dinner ready, and her
pretty face 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, to the young
merchant, as be inserted bis fork in the
breast of the nicely-browned roast turkey,
"you have not found the philosophers stone,
yet"
Fred, suspended the operation of carv-
ing the turkey, and gazed with look of
astonishment full in the face of the speaker.
"What do you mean, Uncle Luke 7"
asked he.
"You don't know what the philosophers
stone is, do you?"
"No."
81 found it out when I 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
preparations Ellen had made for the recep-
ton of her uncle, the dinner did not pass
off very pleasantly. There was reserve
on his part, which 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, leading the way.
"On her what?" said the old man, with
a start of surprise.
"On her piano, of course"
"Theu you keep piano?"
"Certainly: we could not possibly get
along without piano, could we, Ellen?"
"Pm sure We couldn't" replied the
young wife.
go, it is such a comfort"
"Such luxury, you mean," answered
Uncle Luke; "what did you give for it?"
"Five hundred"
"It is paid for p
"Certainly, it is"
"And your note due tomorrow, which
you cannot meet? 2"
Fred. glanced at Ellen, who looked as
woe-begone as though she had lost every
friend she had in the world.
"It was not his fault, uncle; teazed it
out of him." said she.
"Then he is a bigger fool than I took
him to be-" replied Uncle Luke contempt,
uously
"And then he is not doing business
enough to pay his expenses; you dine on
roast turkey and all manner of fancy
stuff"
Uncle Luke, though conscious that be
was meddling with that which did not con.
Germ him, could not control his indignation
at the wanton extravaganza of the young
people. He felt kindly towards them, as
he always had, and though his words, were
harsh and cold, he intended to do them
kindness.
ayes; and, Ellen, you wear a 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 con.
tiuued he. "Here is the secret of hard
times-extravagance-silk dresses, roast
turkey, ice creams and pianos"
"Things were going very we'll with
me when l bought the piano." suggested
Fred.
"No matter, you are fool; now I will
tell you what the philosophers stone is"
Uncle Luke paused, and looked coldly
into the eyes of the young merchant.
"Well, uncle, what is it p
olive within your means. If you do
not earn but dollar, spend only seventy
five cents" and Uncle Luke put on his
great coat aud edged towards the door,
without even alluding to the important
topic in which Fred felt so much in
terest
"But, Uncle Luke, can you lend me the
money | want?" asked Fred, dismayed at