The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-03-01
CLIPT WINGS.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "GIpEoN's ROCK"

bh laL AZ IuOh VI , hOCks
The most trying thing about Uncle
Ted was the resemblance to his brother
II was sufficiently disagreeable to have
an old man with tastes so low and hab.
its so unpleasant fastened upon the
family at all ; but to see, and to know
all saw, in this person the LETTER feau-
lures, and all the Letter peouliarities
to the very finger-nails, was a misfor-
tune which demanded the whole of that
fortitude of which the family motto
boasted.
All attempts at reforming Uncle Ted
had long since been abandoned. His
brother, the doctor, had now grown
accustomed to silence the complaints of
his wife and children by half.reproach.
full reminders of that complete and
final release which the whitening hair
and battered frame seemed to prophecy
was near at hand. No other comfort
concerning the old man presented
itself and even this, suggested by his
appearance and sometimes rambling
mind, was made faint and doubtful by
his good appetite, long walks, and early
hours.
Uncle Ted had for many years sub.
mitted himself to abject dependence
on his brother. He could not work, he
could not cope with strangers. In.
Vulnerable were the situations his
brother had obtained for him, and the
wardrobes Mrs. Letter with willing fin.
gers had prepared, and the departures
that Uncle Ted had made; but swift
had been the return on each occasion,
pathetic the tale, irresistible the PRAYER
to be allowed to stay.
The doctor continued his efforts from
time to time ; but, finding them always
followed by the same results, and find.
ing also that as the tall old form and
noble looking, halfvacant face grew
more and more like his fathers, it be.
came more and more difficult for him
to force him from under his roof. The
doctor, therefore. had settled in his |
own mind and made the family aware
he should not again seek situation for |
Uncle Ted until he was compelled to
to place him in that from which return
is impossible.
He was certainly formidable incum.
brance--one whom it was impossible to
conceal from society as it was to expect
society to receive. Though his peculiar
habits rendered it necessary for him to
be banished from the room on the arr.
val of visitors, no one could be sure he
would not come back for his snuffy
pocket-handke rchief left on his nieceis
work-basket, or one Of his enormous
slippers dropped in his precipitate re-
treat, and in search of which all the
ladies' would have to rise, and turn
about, and look under their chairs.
while the doctor and Mrs. Letter stood
in sick, smiling patience; and uncle
bowed, and apologized, and uttered
most absurd compliments, and made
as his nieces afterwards would declare
fearful exhibition" of himself.
Uncle Ted was full of admiration for
these nieces, but they were scarcely
able to appreciate his high opinion Of
them, their beauty, elegance, and ac-
complishments, since he was in the
habit of confiding his opinion to the
footman and the cook, who were kept
we'll informed by him as to the con.
quests and matrimonial chances of
the young ladies; and, indeed, as to
most Of tie family affairs, private or
otherwise, with which he might happen
to become acquainted.
1t was no longer of any use trying to
keep him from talking to the servants.
Who else could or would talk to him /?
His brother had done his utmost to
frighten and persuade him out OF the
habit, had insisted on each member of ,
the family devoting an hour . day to
him, that he might not be driven to this ,
extremity: But it was all of no uae. |
Uncle Ted was tiresome, and failed 70 j
keep his appointments. The young
people were full of their own carer ana !