The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-11-22
BACHELOR BRowS's MYSTERY.

Of single blcsseGness Ter he remain
der of bis liie-grealy TO the salts
faction Of his relatives, he Hiakles,
with whom be resided for be 1t
known Uncle Richard was worth a
cool half million, aud the Hinkies
we're his only living relations, and
unless, as Mrs. Hi8k'e said. some
nasty charity came 10 FOR his prop
ertv. who should be leave il Ito but
TO his own cousins or their children
Hopeful as poor human nEtnre IS
of longevity, Mr.. aud Mrs. llinkle
scarcely expected 70 survive their
cousin, who was their Junior by ten
a but Adelaide. Rose and Chas,
and William, might ia oil probabilI-
ty be his heirs, and 20 tbs end the
parents labored. Uncle Richard bad
the best room in the house, the best
chair, the most particular cOnsidera-
uon. His wishes were deferred TO
and bis advice taken on every occa-
sion. and be actually came 20 be
loved for with all his quaint old
fashioned ways aud bis habit of sit
tiDg as utterly silent as though be had
been deaf aud dumb, be was a iovea-
bic man. Matters progressed smooth
" enough, until it was habit and not
hypocrisy which made Uncle Richard
master of the house.
He was very o5ligiag-woaderfBl-
ly so in some respects. BE would
attend 10 anything for anybody
march ribbons when no one else
could-escort the girls to places Of
amusement-go duufGlIy 20 church
with their ma mma-attend to market
ing and the posting Of letters, and
the gas meter, and the turning of the
meter in frosty weather. He was al
WAYS ready 10 search the bouse with
the poker at the dead Of night, when
any one heard q noise"
He went to the dentist TOO with
people vino wanted their teeth drawn,
and always seemed to have sugar
plums in his pocket. Bet one thing
Uncle Richard would not do, and
that was to exhibit the least signs Of
p~oliteness 10 lady visitors.
He never saw one home. He never
even spent the evening in their com
paay. lie invariably shut himself up
in bis own room aud had bis tea
there when these individuals were
reported 70 be in tie house, aud,
when travelling, had been known 10 a
train e shut his eyes tight, when a
young lady entered, and remain with
them closed until she LETT the car
risge- As q general thing, indeed,
be always chose a carriage where
be need BOT be intrudcd upon.
1t was just as well, after all, -
said Mrs. Hinkle, bu, il was q pecu-
liaritv not quite agreeable to Mr.. H.,
when be found the pleasant task OF
seeing" the Miss Jones, imposed
upon himself. He argued that such
duties were cousin Dicks, though be
never told him so. Il would not have
been pleasant TO provoke him. and if
anything could have offended Bache-
Tor Brown MORALLY, it would have
been to insist upon his offering any
gallant attentions to the softer sex.
However, q day came at last which
set the whole household in commo-
ton.
Miss Amanda Dove had been ia.
yited TO spend 2 week with the Hin.
kle's, and Miss Dove being a stranger,
vas to wait att the station until
some one came for her in a carriage.
The Hinkles resided some miles
out Of town, and had not occupied
their residence for many months, 50
that people were not always properly
directed by the ~neighbors.
IL was decided that Mr.. HiBkle
should escort Miss Dove. but before
the day Of Der arrival dawned, bust
ness had called that gentleman to
Sheffield. Moreover, Mrs Hinkle
had the influenza, and the two boy:
were at boarding school. No one to
be found to drive. aud neither Rose
nor Adelaide could handle the reins
Miss Dove vas to come at nine, and
what would she think of them if nc
one came for herr
Indeed" said Mrs. Hinkle. 81
would be shocking treatment for tb,
dear girl. / must ask your cousin
Richard"
You eve dare, ma, said Rose
sghast.
"In such a case, you know" sait
Mrs. Hinkle.
'Hel not do It" said Adelaide.
-q0f course not" said Rose.
Mrs. Hinkle shook her head.
Il fear be will not" she said. anC
assuming an expression which would
have done credit to Joan o. Arc
mounted the stairs to cousin Rich
ards study.
"Are you busy, Richard" SD,
asked as she entered.
Not at all-sit down. said Bach
elor Brown.
you see bow i'll | am" said Mrs
Hinkle; 81 can hardly hold up my
head, much less drive, and Mr.. Hin
kle is away, and the boys too, and
no one can handle he reins-"
"Well,n said Bachelor Brown.
"And there is poor Miss Dove a
the station with her trunk by thi.
time" said Mrs. Hinkle with a gasp
"Ah," said Mr.. Brown. What
pity"
Mrs. Hinkle Eel. that she had no.
begun yet. Bachelor Brown could
not understand what she wanted.
"It's g great iavor-a great favor
to ask, L know she said, "bul
couldn't you just FOR once do it?n
"Do what, Msris?" asked Bachelor
Brown.
go for her. said Mrs. Hinkle.
For Miss Dove?"
Yes"
ooh, dear no., said cousin Rich
ard.
But began Mrs. Hinkle.
Maria" said the old bachelor
young ladies, nv little cousins ex
cepted, are my a~bomination. Al
affected, c~onceited, absurd set @
creatures. / never had anything {
do with them, and | never will. n
doubt she's capable of fading be
- Tko- Ill $1,000. ~