The Placer herald., 1872-02-03
UNCLE PAUL,S W1AIM.

"They would get married." said Uncle
Paul, grimly. cit isn't my fault that their
husbands are dead, and they are left with
families to bring up. ! advised them to stay
single"
"But it would be your fault" said the
mild clergyman, eff they starved or suf-
fered."
81 don't see why"
Because you have plenty Of this worlds
goods, and they are poor; because you have
but yourself to support, and they have little
ones dependent upon them"
ooh, fudge!" said Uncle Paul. 81 don't
keep poor-house, and I'm sure pay suAi-
cient taxes and contribute to charitable inst-
tutions enough to free me from any extra
demands. told both of them how it would
be; but Hester was always self-willed
creature, and Letitia had quiet fashion
Of insisting upon having her own way, which
was quite as bad in the long run.
every we'll" returned The clergyman, 81
can't pretend to argue with you upon the
subject. only state facts and leave the
rest to your own conscience.
Saying which he went his way.
Uncle Paul took up his pen and recon-
menccd writing entries in the fat old ledger
which lay on the desk; but, for all that, the
rosebud faces of his neices, Hetty and
Lefty, as they used to look fitting around
his big armchair, would continue to haunt
him.
"Pshaw!" he exclaimed, at last, as he
dropped bis pen, making great, apoplectic
ink blot on the middle of the page 81 wish
that meddling minister had been obliging
enough to mind his own business suppose
must do something for one of them at
least, but which shall it be? Hetty used to
have the prettier face and the more coaxing
voice, but then Lefty had still, velvet
footed way of always doing just what you
wanted before you fairly knew it yourself.
Hetty sang like lark all the old fashioned
songs liked best to hear, but Lefty would
play backgammon by the hour, and never
get tired of the rattle of the old mans dice
box. Well, well, it is hard to make a
choice"
A week elapsed, and Letitia Carver sat
alone by the desolate hearthstone sewing
her little ones at school, the fire subdued to the
fcwest Jumps of coal consistent with caloric
life, when the door opened, and her cousin
the other young widow, entered, also in deep
black.
"Isn't it shamc?' cried Mrs. Hewitt
Indignantly. "Of course you received a
bundle too ?"
81 don't think l quite understand what
you mean, Hetty," said Mrs Carver.
"Mean? mean that Uncle Paul Shef-
field is the stingiest, most parsimonious old
| miser in existence. 10 dare to send bun
die of old clothes to my door, as if were
common beggar. with an insulting note,
stating that, as he had understood l had two
boys, might very easily cut the garments
up into something useful. ! declare to you,
Lefty, that was so angry that cried!''
"Angry? What for? l am sure the
clothes are very nice, only little old-fash
ioned, and can get quite new suit out of
them for each of my little men. Paul and
Robbie are both small, and -"
"Letty Carver!" cried her cousin, wrath
fully, "you have no more spirit than
wooden image?'
Lettv smiled and shook her head mourn
fully.
81 cannot sit tamely by, Hester, and hear
my little ones crying with cold and bunger!"
"Pshaw!" said Hetty, imperiously. 81
am not yet reduced to be the recipient of
such charity as that, from man like Uncle
Paul, who rolls in gold.
cit is his own money, Hetty, and he has
a right to do with it as he peases. When
you and l married against his wishes we
both tacitly abandoned all claim to bis
wealth."
81 don't agree with you there, said Mrs.
Hewitt, haughtily tossing up her head.
you've actually begun to rip up the odious
old thngs!'
"See," said Lefty, holding up the section
of well-wom waistcoat, with faint smile.
81 am diligently at work at it now!'
81 sold mine to rag-man for pair of
china vases" said Mrs. Hewitt, indiffer
entity. "Horrid, tawdry things they were;
only fit for the children to play with and
break. but still better than nothing at all.
What's that you are taking out of the
pocket ?" she added with quick start
"a ten-pound note p
Mrs. Carver unfolded at the same moment
a tiny slip OF crumpied paper, tucked tar
down into one of the pockets. 1t actually
was, as her cousin had said, ten-pound
note.
"You are in luck" cried Hetty. 81 wish
l had thought to look into the pockets OF
mine before let the rag-man have them;
but it isn't at all likely that the old skintint
would make more than one mistake OF the
kind. What shall you do with it. LettyT
"Do with it?' repeated Mrs. Carver,
opening her mild eyes With surprise. u shall
take it to Uncle Paul at once. It is, as you
yourself say, mistake
"But be has given you the suit
"He never intended to give me the mo-
ney, Hester. and l have no right 70 appro-
pirate it. Lefty answered.
Mrs Hewitt drew a long breath of con-