The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-11-03
Uncle Ben's Gift,
Or
THE MISSING BOX.
CONTINUED.
on

VeTVleWy .bJAil WONoH ~ hoA ihouuAJgt dHu
destined always to be woven. should she
live thousand years.
Just as the clock was striking eleven,
footsteps were heard at the door, and Mr..
Curtis and his wife made their appearance.
They were not little surprised to find
stranger quietly enjoying Mary's hospital-
ty; but before either had time to speak,
uncle Ben jumped up, and thrusting out
his hand, hallooed almost as loud as if he
was hailing a ship,
"How are you, Jim ?"
His brother, though not recognizing his
countenance, could not mistake the voice,
and seized the proffered hand with truly
fraternal grip. The meeting of the BROTH
ers was one of heartfelt happiness-a hap
piness almost worth twenty years sepa-
ration. Has the ocean spray not yet evap-
Grated from uncle Ben's cheek? or was it
something else that was glistening there
Mrs. Curtis seemed equally happy with
her husband, and gave "the captain
boisterous welcome. But, alas, for the
motives of human friendships How few Of
them spring right out of the heart Had
sea-horse just arrived, loaded with bags of
gold, she would have given him as cordial
a welcome, and for the same reason. She
knew that the captain was rich and her
selfishness had already begun to slime over
her prey with deception, preparatory to
swallowing it.
In the midst of her smiles and loqua-
cious compliments, she caught an opportu-
nifty of casting an intrusive frown at Mary,
which shot through her heart like bullet,
and sent her straight to the kitchen.
Uncle Ben accidentally observed the
whole movement; and if noble purpose
at that moment took possession OF his soul,
it was not altogether in gratitude for Mrs.
Curtis extraordinary efforts to please
him.
Just at this moment the daughters were
heard bidding their attendants good night
at the door; and their arrival turned aside
the heavy billow of sadness, which threat
ened to break over the captains spirits.
He was delighted to meet and caress his
blooming nieces; and they, already wrought
up to the highest pitch of animation, would
willingly have staid up all night to hear
him talk. But the morning watches had
already commenced, and it was time for all
to retire. The girls, with cheerful
"good night, UNCLE" took their departure.
Why did uncle Bep look so sharp at their
elegant silk dresses? Did he never hear one
rustic before?
Turning to Mrs. Curtis he said care
lessly,
"Mary did not go to the wedding?"
mo, captain; she was little unwell
to-day, and preferred to stay at home !"
aud then added, with a smile.
'She is little singular in her tastes,
and is so fond of domestic life, that really
believe she prefers the kitchen to any
other place and so we let her havo her
own way"
A sensible girlr replied the captain !;
''l noticed she had very domestic look"
The captain knew how to WELD two
edged cutlass-he was once boarded by
pirates, off Trinidad, aud was still alive (!
Bat the lady's self-complacency was proof
against the double thrust. Yet the CAP
tain's hearty eulogy of Mary did inflict
wound ON the ambitious woman, and com
planning of headache, she went to bed.
The next morning all were up betimes,
except uncle Ben who, yielding to the
effects Of much previous fatigue and wake
fulness, thought he would enjoy the rare
indulgence of morning nap. His sleep
must have been very deep, for lie snored
prodigiously, producing a sonorous echo in
every corner Of the little house, much to
the woader and meniment of the smaller
fry who had not yet seen him, and who
would venture near his door to listen and
then scamper away as if frightened by
some wild beast.
II woader what a big nose uncle Ben
has got 81 said little Ned, casting a won
dering glance at huge pair Of strange
boots in the corner.
81 guess it is more bigger than this"
seplied Tommy, who was trying TO unite
hard knot 10 his shoe, which he held up as
measure Of his opinion in the case. And
so they went Ou, their eyes aud imagina-
tions dilating alike, till the stove-pipe be-
CAME too smaR to serve for comparison
with the mysterious nose when looking
over their shoulders, they saw uncle Ben
himself, who had overheard their conversa-
tion, creeping toward them, slippers in
hand. az IL TO grab them. They took 20