Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-05
NO. 23e.
3Nisrellaneons.
UNCLE NATHiA'S DAUGHTER.
BY MARY E. SCOTT.

Oh, dear 1t is too bad Write to him
mat we are going away sick, or anything
YOU please. To keep him from sending his
daughter here. How ridiculous ln the
neIYht of The season too What shall we
do 7" aud Miss Belle Bow er looked as ugly
and cross ~ really pretty girl Can look.
Mrs. Bower seemed almost as much dis
turbed as the daughter. and answered
heipiessly, Il am sure don't know. /
Knew your poor father had brother Ma
Than, but did not think him rs iliterate
As this, touching the letter she held which
was written on coarse blue paper, in
scrawling hand. They managed to pick
out OF II that Jerusha Bowers was coming
to pay them visit that she would be
alone and Uncle Nathan closed with mo
doubt you'll be powerful glad tew see my
GAL and I'd like you tew meet her at the
kers. as she haInt used to travelin' and
might git lost, and capped 1t all by sign
nig himself, Yours till delh do US part"
While they were still discussing the SUBJ
Ject the door opened. and Albert, the pride
OF the family came in. After the brilliant
remark. at is decidedly cold," he
stretched himself in an easy chair. CON-
pletely shutting off the heat from his moth.
er; but as she was used to that she only
changed her position. while Belle began
recounting their trouble to this, the coun-
sellor of the family.
He lazilv replied, sits dueced provok-
ing, but we can have a lot of fun out of
her; let her come"
Let her come," mimicked Belle, "how
are you going to prevent it. You are too
lazy to move finger to save us from any
annoyance whatever. Now, if you cared
anything for our feelings, you would meet
her at the depot, tell her that we are out
OF town, and that you were going to fol-
low soon. Then you might show her the
city until return train, see her started
for home all right and our trouble would
be over. | am sure you put of that Lucy
Lee without her ever suspecting any
thing
| am not so certain about that" an
swered Albert, "she seemed to be a very
sensible little girl; but do believe you
are afraid Jerusha will win Graham away
from YOU"
What that country lout ?" said his
sister. in language more emphatic than
ladylike; ''of course her hands are large
and red as a servants, and her education
is about as far advanced. juding from Un-
Gle Mats letter. don't know why we
should be annoyed with such relatives.
But it is just our uckr
"Well, we must make the best of it."
remarked Mrs. Bowers: II know your
father was very fond OF his brother Ma
than, and remember your uncle was sent
to Congress, or the House. or Legislature,
or somewhere that your father was very
proudof, but | can't remember where
now," and the old !ady'S countenance lost
none of its bewildered look
Glow old is she 7" questioned Albert.
Eighteen, her father says" retarned
Belle, but of course she is older Every
girl is eighteen now unil she marrcs."
"Well, sis, you are old enough TO be a
mother 10 her. | place her unl Ter yonr
exclusive care" and with this parting shot
Albert sauntered out OF the room.
"Slch hrGte!' muttercd Bell. WHAT
shall do?"
That evening. soon after the six O'Clock
train came in. an omnibus drove up to
Mrs. Bowers residence, from which q gen.
tleman assisted lady VIII, SO figure if
properly dressed, would have be, verv
handsome. In moment the doorbel
gave terrific ring, which caused the SER
want to hasten To the door. while she
called on all the saints in TIE calendar 10
bless her soul. She ushered the stranger
into the drawing-room where all the fami-
ly were seated.
The visitor marched in, saying in loud
shril voice:
I'm Jerusha Bower, your cousin, come
to see you. Guess you didn't get dads
letter, as none of you met me'-walkinp
up to Mrs. Bower, who was making an in
eflectual attempt to rise. II guess this be
Aunt Ellen, IN part named fur YOU and
this be Bell and land sakes guess this
be Albert Wen, how de do ? All a sittin'
up in the best room tew meet me ? Guess
YOU don't set here all the time, dew youp
We don't set in our best room only Sum
day" Here she quietly seated herself and
began taking of the cotton velvet hat
which she had on, and which she laid down
very carefully so as not to break the huge
red plume, then began pushing back the
frowsy black hair with her dark brown
hands.
Mrs. Bower was the only one who had
welcomed her at all, while Belle mutter-
ed; Eighteen, indeed She's thirty IL
she's dayr'
Albert puckered up his mouth as If to
whistle, while he glanced at Bell with a
comical look of dismay.
JerushaIproceeded to make herself CON-
Portable, while she continued: "Now
Aunt Ellen, you hau't to put yourselves
out bit fur me; want you to treat me
as you do yourselves fur I'm goin' to spend
the winter. SO I'll just make myself to
hum. guess III want tew sightsee some
but can make beau OF Albert till get
acquainted with some of the town beaux.
1t was Bells time now to laugh, while
Albert could only say "Whew
Jerusha, never seeming to notice this
by-play, went on: dad gave me $50 to
spend this winter. and gness I'll make
myself as spruce as anybody. but | don't
intend tew spend half of that, fur it takes
a sight tew set up TO housekeeping, and
there's no tellin' when might need it,"
Albert interrupted with, "Cousin Jeru-
sha. do you expect to need it soon?" sly
ly winkiDg at Belle. e
That depends upon Bob" she said;
though did tell dad had a notion tew
lay In my kitchen things while I'm down
here. fur you see can run over the city
lew see where | can get the best bargains.