The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-10-11

Oh Minnie, what do you think by
this time of that rich old bachelor uncle
of yours? Isn't it just splendid to have
an uncle so rich that he don't know what
to do with all his money!"
"Well, the moneys well enough, or,
at least, [ shall think so if I ever see any
of it but he's the queerest specimen.
Why, the other day, when ma wanted to
go and call on Mrs. Simpson, uncle told
her there We're a lot of rough-looking
gypsies camped by the side of the road,
and perhaps she would not like to pass
that way. So she gave it up. But when
she found out, in day or two, that there
had been no gypsies there, she asked
him what led him to imagine such a
thirg.
Why said he, 4 knew all the
time that there were none there, but
didn't really want you to go; and I re-
membered that when Harry wanted to
go to the meadow you told him there
was bear down by the bridge, that
would eat him if he went that way. It
went against some of my old prejudices
at first to get up that story about the
gypsies but I considered that my sister
is an excellent woman and I couldn't be
far wrong in following her example. I
was sure you would do nothing to Harry
which you wouldn't like to have done to
you, so I reconciled it to my conscience
to do as I did"
And how did your ma like that q
asked several voices.
We'll, she managed to smile but I
don't think she saw much fun in it. I
haven't heard her tell the little ones
much about bears and black men since,
especially when Uncle Jed is around"
A chorus of laughter and funny re-
marks followed Minnie's story.
When they had subsidized, she began
again: Yesterday, Belle and I were
playing croquet most all the afternoon.
Rather slow, to be sure, with no other
company, but better than nothing. At
ter while uncle came out and took a
hand in the game. He don't know any
thing about playing, or pretends he
don't, so it wasn't interesting; and,
when we had finished the game, Belle
said: Il don't know but we ought to
go in now
"'Oh, no = said uncle. Don't cut
when I've only just begun
"'But perhaps we ought to go and
halr II
to-day, you know
ooh! ie for that! Let us have
another game
$50 we began again, and uncle
whacked the balls about with q great
deal of energy; but between times he
would keep saying: TO be sure, Sister
Maria does look badly tired out, broiling
there in that hot kitchen, and ever so
nue. work yet to do; but then she's
used to it.
Why, / remember seeing her watch
ing day after day and night after night
with these same girls, when they were
sick, good many years ago. Such
things take away persons good
looks, and she can't look young any
more, at any rate; SO what does it mat
ter?
'''She is somewhat broken down al
ready, and what difference does it make
whether she wears herself out few
years sooner or later?
"'Of course, she wants the girls she
has taken SO much pains with TO have a
good time and plenty of pleasant exer-
else in the open air. 1t might spoil their
tempers if they were shut up lii the
kitchen, and she don't like to have them
look sour.
$50 let her work while she can.
What else is she good for?
don't believe she'd care for GRO
quet even if she didn't have to work.
"'SheH have to keep at it very late
tonight, and drag herself out early to-
morrow morning. But then these things
can't last always.
"'Some day she viii hare to lie down
and take long, long rest 1t will all
be even in the end So, on with the
croquet.
cat last Belle couldn't stand it any
longer, and she threw down her mallet
and ran into the house, and followed. y
"Wen, did your mother get any
helpe'' asked Kate Benton.
eyes, she did; but not much OF II
from me, for soon ran away to my own