Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-10-10

lit is q shame. He seems 10 think
she's made of cast iron and India rub
berthe old torment"
With this rather illogical express
sion of her opinion, Mrs. Perkins re.
sumed her knitting more vigorously
than ever
Meanwhile Theodore hastened up
stairs into the closely curtained sick
room, where quarrulous old gentle
man lay, tortured with great deal Of
"hipo," and very little actual i'll
ness. But Uncle Joseph White chose
to believe that he was very i'll and
who, pray, was better judge of the
state Of his bodily health than him
self?
He screwed his face up into the re-
scmblance Of nut cracker as his niece
hurriedly entered the apartment and
came to his bedside.
"Ive been laundering on the floor
till my arms are ready to drop out of
their sockets y he groaned. "Are
you all deaf down stairs or has old
Perkins forgotten there's any one in
the world but her and her snuff box 2"
"Tm very sorry, uncle"
"Actions speak louder than words"
snarled Uncle Joseph, ungracefully.
GLOW do you feel now, Uncle 10
seph p asked Theodore, soothingly.
'I'm worse"
"Are you?"
"Pulse higher-skin hot-face flush
ed; of course I'm worse. This con-
founded hot room is enough to throw
any one into a fever. Open every
door and window-quick."
Without an instant's hesitation The
odora unbarred the blinds, and threw
open four large windows and two
doors. The light from the western
sky strcamed like food of fiery ra-
dance into the room; the draft, whirl-
ing through, caught up newspapers,
futtered the leaves of books, and even
upset Uncle Joseph's pet bottle of
medicine.
"O-w-w-w!' roared the old man
with vehemence, that proved his lungs
at least to be quite free from disease
"do you want to bliud me or blow me
away ?'
"You told me to do it, Uncle 10.
seph."
"Shut the windows quick-draw the |
groaned Uncle Joseph
"Who's that battering down the door,"
OTIS only very gentle knocking,
uncle"
"Then I'm nervous. Go and see.n
Presently Theodora returned.
cts Major Crowfoot, uncle; he
sends his compliments, and wishes to
earn how you are,
"Tell him to go to the deuce"
eyes, uncle" Ii
"Well," said Uncle Joseph, as his {
liece returned to his bedside, after a I
absence, "what did he +,
ay?n
"He seemed very much offended, ,
lncle."
"Offended at what, pray 2" de-
landed Uncle Joseph C
IL suppose at being told to 90 to
le deucew answered Theodore quiet
"Girlm calculated the invalid, rails
lg himself halfway upon his elbow,
you didn't tell him that" I
"Yes | did, uncle. You said your ri
If, Tell him to go to the deucc.'"
"Theodora, are you fool? ?"
"I'm very sorry, uncle" said Theo- il
'ra, beginning to whimper 1t
Uncle Joseph stared at her in sur
Use. Could it be possible that the nj
'eary days and weeks of her stead Il
st attendance had weakened her in. d,
llect and turned her brain /? d,
"Give me my watcr-gruel," he said lc
'iefy, after moments ponderine
cr the unwelcome possibility. "
Theodore brought in a neat little w
ina bowl, with silver spoon lying ii
the snowy, folded napkin that
nked it on the tray. u
Uncle Joseph took one taste, and h,
rev down the spoon with a petulent sr
und not unlike bark.
Trash, trash ! Insipid as dish-wa- et
y Throw it to the pigs"
Theodore took up the bowl and til
'rted obcdiently for the door. fr
"Here, herep roared Uncle Jo-
n