The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-02-12
MISSING.

"Those are hard things to throw in
mans teeth, uncle, and I shouldn't lik,
to think that you mean them all.
So said John Birch, the carpenter, a.
he stood up before the old bird-fanciel
tall, sinewy, and strong, with hii
handsome face IN hot glow, and fasl
/ of temper in his eyes-a specimen oi
fine physical type, showing in marked
! contrast with puny, pale yOung man
! about his own age, who sat IN a cornr
apparently reading, but in reality watch.
ing what was going on.
"The harder the better, so that they
hit the mark but what have said to-
night l am ready to gay again-aye, and
mean them, too"
John Birch had never won much
favor from the little, hard-featured old
man who kept the bird-shop, and lived
there with his pretty granddaughter.
But tonight he had been insulted, and
before a witness, between whom and
himself there was an open feud, for it
WAS as rivals that they met. Tom Bart
lett. the soft-spoken schoolmaster, had
managed to iusinuate himself in the
favor of David Birch, and was also
striving to supplant the young carpen-
ter in regard t , his cousin Polly. The
90 You need not glare at me like that,
because I have found out what brings
you snealdng round here.
] never sneak, uncle that does not
belong to the Birches."
"No, it does not, my lad, /" the old
man replied, in a slightly Modified
tone adding, "and I'm sorry YOU don't
take after them. There's a spice of
vOur Mother"
John Birch interrupted him, saying
passionately, "Silcnce, Uncle David,
you must not dare to say word against
her"
"This to my face ! Get ouAof the
house, and never dare to cross my door
step again till you are sent for, which
will be long enough, for tell you once
for all that, it / can hinder It, Polly
Carson shall never marry an idle, beg
garly fellow, always ont of work, who
can find nothing better TO do than live
on his sisters earnings"
This was the stab that cut keenest of
all. The Young mans voice qaivered
as he said, "That is too bad, Uncle
David, you don't know what feelings
you stir in me;" and IN his excitement
he laid his hand on the old mans arm.
At that moment the sly, watchful
reader in the corner came forward, and,
wilfully misunderstanding his inten-
tion, thrust himself between them, say
ing, "Come, no violence, it would be a
pity, and 1 should be so sorry ; you
ought to remember Mr.. Birch is your
uncle, and an old man.
In an instant he found himself put
back with just the same amount of force
which strong man would feel needful
to use in dealing with some puny OBJ
struction which he held In contempt.
1" Mind your own business, Tom Bart
lett, aud don't meddle with mine; 1t
doesn't need your sly tongue 10 teach
me what I ought to remember. My
uncle is in no danger of violence from
me, and YOU know il. Then turning
to the old man, he added 'Unole, 1
shall not want telling twice to go. I
know YOU bear me ill-will, but 1 didn t
think it WIS in you to upbraid man
for what is no fault of his for / defy
any one that knows me to say that
ever shirked work when I could get it
to do. / am sorry for what has passed
tonight, and perhaps you will be be
fore You are many DAYS older, and,
snatehiDg up his cap, he strobe angrily
through the shop into the street, with
out deigning another look at Tom Bart
lett. who had shrunk back into his
corner, and was once more taking men,
tai note of every ything that he saw or
heard.
II
To the surprise Of the neighbors,
David Birch had not taken down his
o'clock; such neglect of business had
never occurred before within their re
membranes. But a greater marvel stiil
was the circumstance Of the old man
himself being dressed in his best black
suit, which he only wore on important
occasions. It vas clear that he was
going TO keep holiday that day, and
that something unusual had happened.
They would have been convinced OF
this IL they had penetrated to the little
back parlor aud heard the old man talk
ing in his unwonted flow of spirits.
!" Put on thy best gown, Polly, and
wear it in honor of the good fortune
that is coming to us; thou shalt be
dressed in silk, my bOnny Que.
81 would rother you gave some of
the money TO poor Nellie Birch, grand
father"
A shade crossed his face. YES. give
il her 70 support her idle brother-nOt
n shilling It is enough that the Will
gives It TO him alter my death, more
the pity if could keep it from him
would."
"Oh, grandfather.
"I tell thee 1 would but don't taIk
about him, child. don't want 10 be
angry Just when Tn gosng TO carry ms
GOOD news % old Jacob Moss.
"Am I to open the shop, grand
father?"