The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-09-16
UNCLE JONAS.

|
Why, mamma" said Lottic, with
flushed cheeks and downcast lashes,
q love him p
Adelaide Chevenel, a regal style of
brunette, with dark, languid eyes,
looked shocked. Rebecca, her young
or sister, who was fairer, with eyes
and hair of the fashionable red-gold
shade, uttered little exclamation Of
dismay.
Charlotte" said Adelaide, with
dignity, " am ashamed of you r
Charlotte" added Rebecca, Zone
would never dream that you were a
Cheyenel r
with expectations In tho future,
and lineage in the past!" emphatically
added Mrs. Chevenel.
But, mamma" chirped poor little
Lottie, can't help the past, and
I've nothing to do with the future =
and Us for the present, Hugh is earn
ing thousand dollars n year, and
there is nice second floor we can
have to keep house i'll and"
Mrs. Chevenel sank back on the So
fa with such stony countenance of
horror, that Lottie checked herself in
dismay.
q" Mamma what's the matter?"
81" Don't let me hear another word /;
not lisp!" cried the august dame.
A Chevenel to keep house on n
second floor, with thousand dollars
n year and and with your expecta-
tionsr'
Z" don't believe Uncle Jonas means
20 leave us n cent, said Lottie.
You don't?" grimly demanded
Mrs. Chevenel.
No, mamma, / don't"
q" Here is missive from him re-
ceiyed, only this morning" she said
very ma jestically-a missive which
contains an invitation for three girls
to make him IL visit. Does that mean
nothing, l should like to know 2"
II suppose" said matter-of-fact Lot
tie, it means he wants to sec us; but
as he has never before shown any anx-
iety on the subject"
"lt means that he wants TO make
you his heiress," interrupted Mrs.
Chevenel impatienly. You must go
at once, and produce the best impress
sion that is possible" "
" Mamma, l would rather remain
at home" stoutly persisted Lottie.-
- don't want money; Hugh Wakcly
can earn enough for us BOTH
:" What you would prefer is Of no
consequence" said her mother sharp
lly. - You will of course accompany
your sisters"
And Lottie Cheyenei dared remon-
stratc no further.
3Ir. Jonas Piper, was sitting smok-
ling lo"g meerschaum on the terraced
front of his pretty country place,
when the depot omnibus deposited
three young ladies in front of him
one tail, dark and dignified the sec
ond afiable, smiling and blonde :
while the third-our little Lottie-
looked like frightened white dove III
company with two gorgeous maw-
cawsi
"Oh," said Uncle Jonas, laying
aside the mcerschaum, - so you are
my nieces?"
{" Yes, dear uncle" said Adelaide
softly.
"Yes, uncle darling" said Beckie,
gushingly
While Lottie said nothing, but Sc
cretly thought within herself what n
funny, old-fashioned man uncle Jonas
was.
Mr.. Piper rang the bell for his
housekeeper, and saw the young Ia
dies no more until they met at the
dinner table.
Well girls" said he, "and how
do you like Piper's Villa p
" Oh, uncle, its lovely!' cried Ade-
laide.
It's like a poets dream, uncle, y
added Becca.
And what do you think, young
lady?" demanded uncle Jonas, eyeine
Lottie.
q suppose its very nice" said Lot.
tie, slowly, " but-but l would rather
be at home"
You would, eh?" said urcle Jonas
"Some more soup, Mrs. Keefe. in
vented this soup, girls. What do yor
think of it?'
Oh, it's delicious" said Adelaide
strangling in the effort to swallow I
second spoonful.
'' 1t reminds me of turtle soup,
said Rebecca, feeling as if her throa
was skinned.
81 think it tastes just like melted
fire, (" said truthful Lottie. '' believ,
it must be made out of red pepper ant
Worcestershire sauce"
: Uncle Jonas smiled grimly but or
dered in the second course, of boilet
salmon and lobster sauce.
After dinner he lighted his pip
again.
You don't object to smoke girls,
hope?"
81 dote on it, said Beckie.
always did like it, of all things,
said Adelaide.
8" supp ose you don't like it, Mis-
Saucebox ?" said Uncle Jonas.
No." said Lottie, 81 don't" An'
she remembered how Hugh, her frs
authority, told her how ungentleman
ly it was to smoke in the presence O
ladies.
Don't your" said Uncle Piper,
little discomftted, "Then perhap
! you will go into the green parlor o
the library p
If you will excuse me, Uncle,
said Lottie, taking him at his word
and walking demurely off.
Il