The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-12-24
Old Uncle Joe.
BIT MRS. o. A. MUNsoN.
IS A BoMINABLE mother. How can

elegant lady, from her easy cnalI, puO
he's rich, you know, and I'm his only
Niece and if we are not civil to him, we
shall lose his money so we may do as we'll
as we cam"
"What's the excitement now" exclaim-
ed Bell, as she entered the room.
"Mamma has just received a letter from
her fussy old Uncle Joe, telling her he
is coming to spend the holidays with us /!
Only think of the audacity Not waiting
to be invited, or asking if it would be
agreeable, but just telling us he is coming"
"Who is Uncle Joe, anyhow9" replied
Bell. 81 never heard of him."
"Yes you have heard of him, Bell, he's
rich as Cresus has lived the last hundred
years in the East Indies, wish he'd never
come back ~
cold and ugly, of course, we can't have
him mother"
"But we mast have him, and treat him
we'll, too. He has million at least, and he
may possibly be generous at Christmas"
replied Mrs. Lansing;
"Oh That puts quite different face on
the matter" exclaimed Nellie. 81 say,
Bell, let's coax him well, and see what he
will do for us, since this infiction is inev-
liable.
"That cashmere shawl, at Stewards
Just the thing Nellie, it takes you to
contrive. I'll have that, and old Uncle
Joe shall pay for it, or miss my calcula-
tions."
"Well, girls hope you'll succeed, but
he must have the blue room," said the
scheming mother.
"Oh! no, no, the Herberts are to have
that room. Let old Joe have the back
room," said Bell.
"That room is not well warmed, and if
we decide to treat him we'll, he must have
the best.
"Yes Wen give him the best, and wish
he was in Jericho all the time" exclaimed
Nellie.
"Wel, don't let him know you wish
him there, that's all l have to say" replied
the mother, as she settled back to her read
ing.
There was a listener to this conversation,
in the sewing room which opened off the
back parlor, the door of which stood wide
open. Thoughtful Mary Lee, the new
seamstress who had but just found this
"situation," dropped her work in aston
ishment. Were these the people she had
come to live with? So heartless, so entirely
"unprincipled?
She carried a shadow of sadness upon heI
pretty face all day. In the evening as she
sat at her work in the same place, she was
still more surprised to find that Mr.. Lam
sing, not only approved the deceitful plans
Of his wife and daughters, but assisted in
forming others.
"Give Uncle Joe grand reception ~
said Mr.. Lansing; arrange yourselves in
tableaux, and have your soft speeches
all concocted."
Excellent Father, but what farce r'
replied Bell.
Never mind children, remember the
money and do your parts we'll" said the
mother. Mr.. Lansing bit his lips and re.
! NAMED silent. Let us hope that some
where hid away, he had the remnant of a
heart.
Alas for the hopes sweet Mary Lee had
dared TO CHERISH that in her lonely, or.
phaned condition, she had found home
Now, ere one week was passed, the flimsy
veil was lifted, and she saw how little
truth and sincerity existed here.
Such a sad feeling of disappointment op
pressed her, that she slept little that night
Where should she find the real in this de
lusive world?
About noon the next day, Nellie who wal
sitting with her embroidery, in one of thC
bay windows, exclaimed: "Here comes
t the old codjer p
"One of the Astor House carriages ;
! said Bell, looking over her sisters shoulder
as she spoke.
" Yes, didn't tell you the letter cam,
i from there?" said her mother
f" Why don't he stay there - said Bell
petulantly. "But sec, mother, he is no
so old, nor bad looking either. Now TO
your speech of welcome.''
= Mrs. Lansing stepped into the hail. ant
# embraced her relative as he entered, ex
r claiming; $50 delightful in you to Civ
q this surprise. But why did you not come
!. to us the very hour you landed? We cal
mako you SO much at home"
During this address the gentleman re
' piled not a word, but gazed steadily at he