The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-01-09

VOLUME |.
MISCELLANY.
MISSING.

] LnlHk tndt you HlNill lueiH All .
So spoke John Birch, the carpenter, as
he stood up before the old bird-fancier
tall, sinewy, and strong, with his
handsome face in hot glow, and fash
of temper in his eyes-a specimen of
fine physical type, showing in marked
contrast with a puny, pale young man
about his own age, who sat in corner
apparently reading, but in reality in
tently watching what was going on.
"The harder the better, so that they
hit the mark; but what | have said to-
night am ready to say again-ave, and
mean them, too
John Birch had never won much ia
yor from the little, hard featured old
man who kept the bird-shop, and lived
there with his pretty grand daughter
But tonight he had been insulted, and
before a witness, between whom and
himself there was not an open feud, for
it was as 9ivals that they met. Tom
Bartlett, the soft-spoken schoolmaster,
had managed to insinuate himself III the
favor of David Birch, and was also stri-
wing to supplant the young carpenter
in regard of his cousin Polly. The old
man was first to speak.
You need not glare at ME like that,
because l have found out what brings
you sneaking round here"
II never sneak, uncle; that does not
belong to the Birches."
"No, it does not, my lad" the old man
replied, in a slightly notified tone; ad
ding, "and Pm sorry you don't take af-
ter them. There's spice of your
mother"
John Birch interrupted him, saying
patiently, "Silence, Uncle David, you
must not dare to say word against
her."
"This to my face! Get out of my
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, if can hinder it, Polly
Carson shall never marry an idle, beg
garly fellow, always out 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 quivered
as he said, "That rs too bad nncle David,
you don't know what feeling you stir in
me;" and in his excitement he laid his
hand on the old mans arm.
At that moment the sly, watchful rea-
der in the corner came forward, and,
wilfully misunderstanding his intention,
thrust himself between them, saying,
"Come, no violence, it would be a pity,
and 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 amount of force
which strong man would feel needful
to use in dealing with some puny OBJ
struction which he held in contempt.
"Mind your own business, Tom Bart
lett, and don't meddle with mine; it
doesn't need your sly tongue to teach
me what / ought to remember. My
uncle is in no danger of violence from
me, and you know it." Then turning to
the man he added, "Uncle, shall not
want telling twice to go. l know you
bear me ill-will, but I didn't think it
was in you to upbraid man for what
is no fault of his; for l defy any one
that knows me to say that ever shrink
ed work when could get it to do. |
am sorry for what has passed tonight,
and perhaps you will be before you are
many days older;" and snatching up his
cap, he strobe angrily through the
shop into the street, without deigning
another look at Tom Bartlett, who had
skunk back into his corner, and was
once more taking mental note of every
thing that he saw and heard.
To the surprise of the neighbors Da-
vid Birch had not taken down his shut
tiers, though it was nearly eleven o'clock;
such neglect of business have never oc-
Cured before within their remembrance.
But greater marvel still was the cir
cumstance of the old man himself being
dressed in his best black suit, which he
only wore on important occasions. 1t
was clear that he was going to keep hol-
iday that day, and that something unu-
sual had happened. They would have
been convinced of this if they had pen
etrated to the little back parlor and
heard the old man talking in his unwon-
ted 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 dress
ed in silks, my bonny one."
"I would rather you gave some of the
money to poor Nellie Birch, grand
father"
A shade crossed his face. "Yes, give
it to her to support her idle brother-not
shillingl 1t is enough that the will
gives it to him after my death, more
the pity; if could keep it from him I
would"
"Oh, grandfather
81 tell thee / would; but don't talk
about him, child. do not want to be
angry just when I'm going to carry my
good news to Jacob Moss"
} Gam I to open the shop, grandfather?
"Do just as it suits thyself, child, we
shall be rich enough not to care about the
shop"
: While talking he consulted his large
, silver watch, which, for antiquity and
size, might have been the patriarch Of
f the entire race of watches.
"I shall be back before nine, Polly
, and Perhapse Tom Bartlett may droE
: in and spend an hour with you"
} II hope not, for I don't want to see
< him"
"Ah! that's the perverse way of girls
: but never mind, dare say thou will
: look much higher than Tom now" and
, he chuckled as he kissed her round
dimpled cheek, leaving her to take care