Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-09-20
VOL. 71.-3640. NO. 40.

whose leet were IN tub OF hot water. lie
stopped short, in amazement and horror
"This is Uncle Tompkins, Henry" said
Mrs. Grumble, who was busy warming
basin Of cruel over the fire and the old
gentleman extended one finger without turn
ing his head, saying, in a cracked voice al
wish, nephew, you would shut that door. No
body ever thinks Of shutting a door in this
house What's that noise up stairs ? |
beg, niece, that your baby won't cry the
whole time that am here. Is tea ready
If So | will take cup just here by the
fire."
"What does this mean, my dear" eiacu.
lated Mr.. Grumble, in hurried whisper:
and his wife, whose arm he had caught on
the way 10 the kitchen for more hot water
for Uncle Tompkins, replied, in the same
tone "Oh you mustn't mind my uncle,
dear; he don't mean anything, only he's old
and whimsical"
4" But man has no business to make
everybody else uncomfortable in this sort of
way" muttered Mr.. Grumble.
Tea was brought in at this moment-a
little smoky, it must be confessed, and the
toast considerably charred but, Just as Mr..
Grumble was opening his mouth TO comment
upon these facts, Uncle Tompkins forestalled
him by exclaimiug What stuff this tea
Is One would suppose it was made Of cab
bage leaves. The toast, too, is as black as a
cinder. Isn't there a slice of stale bread in
the house I'm dyspeptic and have to be
verv careful as to what eat
Mr. Grumble silently devoured his meal,
secretly wondering now long Uncle Tomp-
kins meant TO stay. No sooner was the ta-
BILE cleared than the irascble old gentleman
began again Grumble," said he, 1" wish
-. s.f oh
nerves are so weak aud If you could keep
your children up stairs, that racket wouldn't
disturb me quite so much. / really don't
know how I'm going to stand that baby's
noise"
Z" do not think it is very noisy baby"
said Mr.. Grumble, meekly. ats teeth are
very painful just at present"
Mrs. Grumble, who was stirring the fire,
in accordance with her uncles petulant re-
quest, said nothing, but smiled quietly to
hear her husband trying to extenuate the
baby's sins.
"Well," remarked Uncle Tompkns, i" all
babies are noisy. And, by the way, Grum-
BILE, | wish you would oil the hinges of that
squeaking door; and don't like to smell of
that geranium in the window Halo you
haven't any top button on your shirt front
hope my niece isn't a careless wife"
Not at all sir" said Mr.. Grumble, nerv-
ously: but the care of her child and house
keeping duties absorb a great deal of her
time. The instant she finds leisure she will
look at my clothes"
81 don't see how woman can spend her
whole time keeping house aud looking after
pack of children observed Uncle Tom
kins, incredulously.
Abont ten o'clock the old gentleman was
ushered to the spare room, accompanied by
a procession of medicine vials, tubs of hot
water, woolen dressing gowns, aud heated
| blankets for his feet and his absence oc-
casioned very general relief.
"What an insufferable old egotist that is y
exclaimed Mr. Grumble, throwing himself,
with sigh of satisfaction into his favorite
seat once more. "My dear Bessie, how could
you endure his eternal fault finding 2"
am accustomed to that, Henry it is
the lesson that most women are obliged to
learn" replied Mrs. Grumble, with a slight
sigh.
Her husband pricked up his ears a little
uneasily. Accustomed to it Z" What did
she mean ? 1t was not possible--it could
not be possible--that he was like that odious
old Uncle Tompkins. And yet he wished
Bessie had not spoken in that way. Some
how it made him feel excessively uncom-
Portable.
Day after day passed away, Uncle Tomp
kins growing more and more intolerable the
whole time while Mr.. Grumble improved
the occasion by making a sort of mental
looking glass of that worthy old gentleman
"Upon-my-wo said he to himself
" must have been perfect nuisance al
these years. Why didn't somebody tell me
of it Z"
At length Uncle Tompkins went away
flannel gowns, medicine bottles and all, anC
on the evening of the same day Tom Carltor
arrived from temporary absence, nobod,
knew where
$50 uncle has been visiting you 7" h,
said, gaily to Mr.. Grumble
"Yes," said the latter, with a sligh
grimaee.
"What sort Of looking man is he 2"
Mr.. Grumble was silent moment "D'
you know" he exclaimed, bursting into
perpexed laugh, " | couldn't describe singl
feature of his face. lie was always en-
veloped, like an Egyptian mummy, in sill
handkerchief, something like that one yol
have in your hand. With my permission h
shall never set foot in this house again"
"No " said Tom, archly.
The most intolerable fault finder | eve
/ met WIN, Sdlu MT. doNOlutci
the most disagreeabe man that ever cum
bered tie earth. don't see how it is poss
bic to take exceptions to everything as he did.
"That's not an uncommon failing, bt
lieve," observed Tom, demurely smiling.
Very likely" said his brother-ln-law, en-
phatically; but his visit has been produ'
tive of at least one good effect-it has con
I pletely cured me of any tendency | migt
J. have had that way. |, for one, mean !
leave off grumblng."
T I" | am happy to hear it, nephew Grun
e sle" exclaimed n cracked voice.
D The victimized man started up In Oh
may, scarcely believing the testimony Of HI
senses, as Tom twisted the silk handkerchie
J. skillfully round his head, and bent hinse
I nearly double with an asthmatic sound b
tween groan and grunt.
4 why, you don't mean to say that you al
i Uncle Tompkins 2" exclaimed Mr.. Grumbl
j "Pardon me, Henry" said Tom, smilin
:, "but saw that you had unconsciously b
! come an habitual grumbler, and judge
!, that the best antidote was faithful repr
sentation of your own failings. Was
right "
r His brother-in-law was half inclined to
r angry but thought better of it.
$ "Shake hands, Tom" said he. "foul
Z an irreverent young scamp, but | forgi'
L YOU. At all events, the cure is complete"
! ID =.