Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-05-22
MnLERsBuRe, HOLMES County, o. THURSDAY, 22 1873

entered my mind. determined in cas-
the visitor was my uncle, to claim tn
efyouthful occupant as my own.
The visitor proved to be my uncle
1 knew him by the pictures of him
had seen, and he likewise knew me b,
my photograph. After a nstural rec
ognition and hand-shading, I usheret
my honored relative into the parlor ant
q presented to him my newly claimed off
spring. 30
"There, UNCLE" said 1, sis the frs
pledge of our married life. Iassure yor
1 take pleasure IN presenting to you my
ehild.'
cit is a fat little youngster,' said
my uncle, gazing at it admiringly,
fsRy the way, what is it, a boy or q
feirfa''. t. -5-,
That was knotty question for me to
answer, for he was just as much ac-
quainted with its gender as was. But
il would not do to show ignorance on
the subject, so 1 answered st hap haz-
ard that it was boy.
"I'm sorry it's a boy" said my un,
Gle; ''there are too many boys in the
family. Now, if you had only produced
a little blue-eyed girl, it would have
been more sensible"
assured him was sorry the gender
did not suit, but hoped in the future his
wishes would be gratified.
So far had succeeded in deeeiving
my Uncle, but the worst feared was,
that when Mrs. Kingsley returned, she
might object to my claiming ownership
in her child. Besides, to carry out my
deception 1 must find wife as well as
an infant, and Mrs. Kingsley was the
one l could conveniently claim. The
only difficulty was to get her consent
to the deception, and this might be
done if could only secure a private
conversation with her before introduc-
ed her to my uncle, then it would be all
right. .l3i ii4i
I watched my opportunity, and gain
ed an interview with her before she en-
tered the room. told her in few
brief and hurried words, the extent. of
my difficulty and how 1 had taken the
liberty of acting as papa for her little
one. l then told her 1 must find wife
somewhere, and begged her to allow me
to introduce her to uncle in the capaci-
ty. She laughed very heartily at the
suggestion, said she could comprehend
my difficulty. and consented to my pro-
posal, and very roguishly warned me
not to presume upon the occurrence.
We then entered the parlor and en-
troduced her as my better half. My
uncle was very much pleased with her
and complimented me upon my good
choice in the selection of wife. Mrs.
of course, colored most char
mingly at this compliment, and could
plainly see that she could Scarcely re-
frain from laughing.
"You have a fine boy here" said
my uncle to Mrs. r., pointing to the
cradle.
Excuse me, sir" she said, coloring
up again, otis girl"
was dumbfounded. 1 was exposed
in my iniquity. Would uncle believe
ne after this? He looked from me to
my pretty landlady with a puzzled
"Your husband told me it was boy"
ne said, and rather suspiciously, too, 1
thought.
"Well 1 always took it for boy" was
ny reply, putting on bold face, "but I
suppose my wife knows best"
Here Mrs. Kingsley fairly screamed
with laughter, and uncle's face assum-
d an ironical smile. |
You're nice father, amt you?" he
aid, touching me with the point of his
"not to know the sex of your
,wn child. Why, knew it was a girl
he moment looked at it,
But, Charley" he said again ad-
lressfng me, "what did you do with the
goblet and pap spoon sent to the little
,ne?"
"Oh, they are perfectly safe, I assure
you," 1 replied. 81 have taken good
are of them." ID 73s'-"
Yes, but where in the duece are
hey? I would like very much to take
mother look at them.'' r...r
:" Well, 1 have deposited them in a
'ank for safe keeping, but 1 can readily
produce them-that is, in the course of
weeks tlme." ~
He told me to do so as he wanted to
ee them, but then got out of the room
or fear he might ask me some more
questions.
A short SINE afterward, Mrs. Kings
ey came to me, when was alone, in an
djoining room, and saw Immediately
hat something very humorous must
ave happened, for the corners of her
ips were breaking into smiles.
"Do you know, sir, into what an
preGicament you have got
ne ?" she inquired, as she took seat on
he lounge by my side. Ii
Explain YOURSELF" said.
"Why, your uncle came to me short
ime ago, and asked me to see my mar
iage certificate, and he said he had
ONE money to settle upon us immedi-
tely, but he wanted to be sure that
was right first"
"Did you expose?" 1 inquired anxi-
'usly. l.
"No, sir, did not, for never enter
nto deception, or anything else by I
lalves." ID
was so elated that I could not with
tand the temptation of embracing her.
This did not make her angry, for she
.estlsd her head costly on my shoulder
md smiled serenely. II
"What answer did you make him?"
asked.
She hesitated for moment, and then
aid: 4
al promised to produce the marriage
certificate" ratsi V'
"But we haven't got any," 1 then re.
Marked