The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-03-30

Mrs. GroyuerSp
None of the family attended church. for
pew-rent was an item. and minister
tax not an unimpurtant consideration. If
preaching aud good example cost mining,
they would have availed themselves of their
benefits, but as it was, parents and children
were "a law to themselves Their living
was Of the plalhest possible kind, and
quantity was studicd as closely as quality.
None of The Growers were fflicted " it'll
gout or dyspepsia, if their ralates were
never RECALLED 10y dainty dishes.
MI. Seth and Mrs. Susan were threatened
with dine calamity, in the shape of "A visit
from an elderly relative, vino had troubled
them but once since their marriage. A let
ter had been received avowng hIs iiItet-
tinn to become better acquainted with his
nephew and niece. They knew but little
about him, save that he was a childle>s old
man, rather odd ia his ways, and buidened
with but a small portion of tins worlds
goods Yet this much was certain; his
stay with them would I've attended with
great Inconvenience and exPeuse-aud tiat
last ieht elton was the most annoying
of all
His appea ance was not AN event Of re-
juicing on the part of The host and hostess
the respectable booking old gent leman miss
ed the hearty welcome he had promised
himself They were polite, but no. curdial
attentive, but cold aud distant, meeting
his familiar advances with that different
reserve $" chilling and drscuuraging. Tie
children had been sent off To bed as soon as
teawas over aud the .li,ee sal siiffly about
the cold stove, Mrs. Gr"vuer glaucing now
aud then at the clock on the mantle piece.
''PeIh haps your uncle would like to re-
tire she observed to Mr.. Seth.
Conversation had tagged for some min-
utes; it was had doing all the talk ing.
and uncle Abel approved the suggestIou,
though it sea-, cely eight o'cluck.
81 must confess 10 fatigue he said
''I'm not young As was once. and exeIti"n
tires me. I've been accustomed to sleep
ing in waim room. If il wun'i be too
much trouble, I'd like a little fire kiudled
for nae old blood reels these chilly nights"
lac added. apt'loeeiically.
Mr.. Seth said. oh no. and Mrs Susan,
"Celiainly no ~ but any body could sre
that their ihouphis widely divelecd ficu,
their words. The :iip made, and the
nephew took a small hand lamp to light
Uncle a bel 10 his cllamher.
Il should prefer this" said the latter.
taking laIerr one from tie shelf rear
hir, III you have no ohirctions. 1t holds
more oil. | see, and sometimes when | am
restless aud can't sleep. read to induce
drowsiuess. 1t won't incommode You very
much. hope =
Seth said, mo. indeed - and Susan.
Not in the least - but mentally. their re
plies were different. Uncle Abel aud the
largest lamp went up status; husband and
wife closed the doors for a couuubial CON
ference.
''N ell ~ sai1 the niece.
"What do you think p 81 id The nephew.
''An assuming old fox ~ she exclaimed.
GA couf"unded bore - Ie calculated
''An exit fire, Seth -
"A lamp To read by, Susan =
Meat for dinner -
And coffee for breakfast -
''W i'll he stay long, think p
Two Oh three months, Judging from the
size and weight Of his trunk
"A pretty bill of expense, Truly +! and not
a dollar to pay his board y
''Fuel aud light, aud what he'll eat and
drink, will pat us back "A whole year in our
ca calculations. This comes of having rela-
tion.. wish hadn't one in ;he world
and to think he's nothing but great
uncle"
This interesting conversation was pro-
loueed some time but enough has been
given to show the feelings of Alr. aud Mrs.
Grovner in regard To Uucle Abel.
Morning did not tuend the manners of
the couple, yet the worthy old gentleman
was uibane aud smiling. seeming not to
notice the frigd atmosphere that prevailed.
He tried in vain to make the acquaintance
of the children, but parental oversight pre-
vented the otjrci in view. IL WAS rrcnIect
ed tha; they, with a certain class designated
DIS fools, were said To tell the ilu;h aud
that. in this instance, was not to be
spoken.
Uucie Ahei's SIGHT was impaired, but lie
was not 81 blind hat he could not detect d is
saiisfacti ION, though i'll "A measure cloaked.
His tarry was short at the Grovner mansion;
in a week lie took leave al his nephew and
niece, to tleir unbranded satisfaction.
1--WE have done well,;' they said, ITO get
rid of him easily. He might have stayed
month";
Aud Uncle Abel was forgotten in the
struggle to make a fortune.
One year afterw ard, they hearfi of his de-
cease by means of the following significant
papers, and forw arded after his death:
NEPHEW AND NIECE: When child
less o,,i crosses Your threshold, yearn-
ihg tor love aud :, mptthy, aud that which
youth should voluntarily accord 10 old age,
treat him lot coldly, beerudge him not the
food he eats, the fire that warns him,
L. IL