Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-07-17
Mouths Column.
UNCLE mARRY,s LESSON.
BY AUNT LOTTIE.

IeNeTt anu IhcIc was uCcu VI Sicdb SdiO
to preserve her sight Now, this was
quite hard for Agnes, as she was very
fond Of books, and stood we'll in her
class, and she feared she would be a
good way behind the other girls.
Agnes was thinking of this in very
melancholy and discouraged frame Of
mind one dag, and while her mother
had gone to bring UP her dinner, she
heard q step in her room which she knew
was not her mothers, although it was
accompanied with the rattle of dishes
aud the jingle of spoons.
"Guess who it is Aggie?" said voice
trying to be fine and soft. but unable to
conceal its true character of deep bass.
10 Uncle Harry, it is you? How glad
| am to see-I mean to hear you When
did you get home p
Just two days ago, little niece, and
I have come to stay with you two whole
weeks. if agreeable"
"Unele Harry,I am perfectly delight
ed"
"You looked anything but delighted
when l opened the door, and took
glance at you. before entering the room"
,'Oh, have been so dull and discour-
aged, uncle and | guess you would be
if you we're shut up here, unable to study
or even read. Mother reads to me all
she can, but she does not have much
time. The girls will all get ahead of
me, and shall feel ashamed" said Ag
mes, in q doleful voice.
Come, cheer up, grille. will give
you some lessons in foreign travel. |
will tell you of some of the things which
my eyes have seen in this big world of
ours"
That will be delightful. Please be-
gin right away, Uncle Harry"
well, will. will tell you some
thing about the mineral you have on
your dinner tray. and of which you are
quite fond, especially on your deefstake."
"NIineral on beefsteak What do
you mean p said Agnes.
do you not know that salt is min
eral am afraid you do not remember
everything you learn"
"Why, Uncle Harry, l had forgotten
that salt was mineral"
ut is, and will tell you about a
salt mine once visited in Austria. The
mine is nearly six thousand feet long
two thousand wide, and. in some places
eight hundred feet deep. entered this
mine and was greatly astOnished to find
a large number of families there. Some
Of these people, after entering this mine
never leave it, and never see the ligh
Of the sun. saw children who wer
born there, and who knew nothing o
the world outside. Think Of this, Agnes
when you are inclined to be impatien
because you are denied the light of da
for little while.
"In this mine are public roads, horse
and carriages. Some of the chamber
: which had been excavated were over on
!, hundred feet high. l saw one of thei
which was fitted up as a chapel and de'
: icated to some saint, in which was ]
altar. some statues and pulpit, all c.
out Of snowy salt"
- "How beautiful it must have been 2
- "When saw it, it was very beautifr
~ for some of the Imperial family we
IL visiting it, aud it was brilliantly illul
y mated with candles. The rays of liz
&c reflected by the crystals were wOnd,
~ fully lustrOus."
az "How would like to see it 20 {
claimed Agnes. But how dreadful
g, think Of living in such place
eu should think the sight of 50 much $
las would make the people thirsty all
ng time"
-ou THAT reminds me Of lake which
saw in the same mine. 1t was about
hundred feet long. and, think. alb
forty deep"
did the people in the mine Sc
contented, Uncle p asked Agnes.
"Well, as cOntented as most peopl
have seen above ground. They are v
busy, of course, and | suppose when
busy they enjoy themselves. NAM
"a them are very ignorant. There WI
= statue which excited my curiosity,
lul' upon asking one Of the men what it
hen resented, he said. That is Lots VI
al The people seem to believe this, and
be the statue appears either moist or
a. the state Of the weather is inferred
"How funny How | would like
o. travel. and see and hear all these thi
as you do, uncle"
lit is all very pleasant for a wi
Aggie, but | am always glad to get b
pa from my wanderings. No place so
ned tractive as home. especially when
hit has dear little niece who is goin
- try and be more cheerful while she
to be shut out from the world
while"
IL shall certainly be more chez
en- especially if you will give me le
from in foreign travels every day; as del
b,u full as this one"
-. Perhaps | may, Aggie. at lea
lis' will try. Now you must lie down
ed to keep quiet, and will take your m,
e; a out for a drive; she looks pale
needs tired"
an 20 Uncle Harry" said Agnes. :
/ invite some Of the Girls in nv ola