Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-23
Uncle Ned's sunday.


OF course it was not Uncle Ned's Sunday
any more than it was that Of any one else
but think that before 1t was over he came
to the conclusion that IT was intended
specially for his -. am not quite sure
Of the word had better use here; so will
leave a vacant place, aud at the end Of my
little story my kind readers may fill the
blank with any word they think ft may
as well say what the children thought Of it.
1t was glorious in their estimation, but poor
Uncle Ned Well, I'll leave the story to tell
the rest.
There was evidently some reason why
these five Graham children kept rushing to
the parlor windows last Saturday afternoon,
Just at dusk First, Harry would start,
closely followed by Charley, and little caring
that they upset Neds blocks, in their wild
race across the room, aud climbing on to
chairs at the window, would crane out their
necks, aud peer up and down the street,
Prim Miss Susie, from her snug corner by
the fre-side, would call as he coming,
Hal 2" And each time that a negative an
swer was heard, there would come a roar Of
disappointment from all five.
You would have been surprised 10 be told
that it was only Uncle Ned's weekly visit
that made all this uproar. But, such was
the case and surely no king could ask fol
more devoted subjects than were these five
nephews and nieces to their Uncle Ned. The
Saturday evenings were their gala times, aud
woe betide this much enduring uncle if he
came with head empty Of charming tales
and pockets empty of-alas, that | musl
confess that their regard was purchased st
cheaply-candy.
"IIi-i-il" Hip, hip, hurrah = from the
window. and there followed a wild rush of al
the five fiery creatures through the room
out into the hall, down the stairs. An,
strangers, unfortunately detained in th'
house at this period, would have fled from
it in dismay. fully believing that house an'
all were coming down about his ears. Poor
little, chubby Emily, whose feet never seemed
to be able to go as fast as her head, got sew
eral tumbles in this fearful march Onl.
once was she assisted 10 rise, and given
hasty word Of comfort by fve-year-old Neddy
who was Emily's champion on all occasions
The door opened. Hal and Charley rusl
up the street to seize their uncle, while th
two girls and Ned stood hopping and dane
ing on the steps. A moment more and th
long-expected, much-enduring man was j
the firm embrace of the five little barbarian'
"There, there you little bears, you'veha
hugs enough scamper all of you, or, o
my honor, not story tonight" And shakin
some of the admiring crowd from their el
thusiastic embrace of him, the tall unc
mounted Miss Emily on his shoulder, an
strobe up the stairway, two steps at tim
while Harry and Charlie nearly succeeded
breaking their neeks in the laudable desii
of following his example.
1t is not part of my plan to relate the hi
tory of that Saturday evening, or to tell an
! OF lne MouucIlui sNplito NhdN Ah'iN 49,
poured into the children's eager ears, an
only one little circumstance, which has
bearing on the subject of my story, will
relate. Just after mamma had said "Be
time little folks !" and Nera's pleasant fa
appeared at the door, Neddy said, in plea
ing tones, "Oh, Uncle Ned, mayn't go
church with you tomorrow p
All, Uncle Ned, why did not your goo
angel give you some warning in time to pl
vent your uttering the fatal promise, Whit
J bound you to unspeakable agony and t
ture But, no angel spoke--so Uncle Ne
in cheerful tones, made the fearful promi'
Is AGO now, like good children, and If you
go quietly to bed and to sleep, III take
of you TO church tomorrow morning" Wi
one final roar and embrace the turbule
spirits trooped off, peacefully enough, al
I. soon calm had settled down over the honi
"Pm afraid, Ned, you'll be sorry for tn
" rash promise" said mamma, "you knC
those five children can do considerable fu
/: ing If they try, and Ned and Emily ha
]. never been TO church. You see John b
- got il into his head that they must not
,s s till they are six years old" But Uncle n
felt sure he should be sufficient for all ON