Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-16
Uncle PhiI's Story.

Ihere was never Rlnuer fndu Iilah
my Uncle Phil. He had warm heart,
CHEEKY voice and full purse; and he
was very generous in exerting their good
influences. But there was melancholy
air about the good old man, and a sad
smile that he wore, which gave one who
was as frequently with HIM as an i'm
preston that had received at one time
or another, rather rough treatment at
the hands of the world. So, one winter
evening, as we all sat around a roaring
fire, IN the best spirits, exchanging jests
and making miserable puns, said to
him:
Uncle Phil, tell US story.
What about, my bcy?'
Il wish that you would relate some
incident ofyour own life. Did you ever
have love AFFAIR."
Instantly 1 regretted asking the ques-
ton. The kind impression on his face
changed. He was not angry; he never
was. But look Of pain crossed his
features and his melancholy mood which
he had for moment dispelled, returned.
4 am sorry, Uncle PHIL said l, If
l have called up painiu memories
You didn't mean 10, my boy said
he; it was a natural question, and Won
der now that you never put it to me be-
fore. Odd as 1t may seem, it is true
that your crusty old bachelor uncle has
had love affair, and a serious one,
too
He paused and we all kept silent. At
ter a moment he proceeded:
My dear, l bave never told the sto-
ry to man nor woman, and never thought
to. But as you are just starting out IN
life, and as Henry there(pointing to me)
seems much interested in the the wis
ion in white whom he saw at church on
Sunday, L will relate you a portion ofmy
history, which is sadder and darker than
that OF any other man knOw;and how.
ever strangely any sentiment | may ut
Ter may fall upon your ears as coming
from man nerly sixty.I know that you
will not treat it lightly, for will speak
from my heart. Perhapsithe story may
have a moral which you may apply to
your own conditions as you think tit.
1T was about fve-and- thirty years
ago. said Uncle Phil, that first mel
Helen Toll. She was beautiful girl.
with soul as pure as her bright blue
eyes, and from the first moment Of oul
acquaintance | telt that loved her witt
an ever-increasing affection. She was
only twenty and was three years hcl
senior. There was a sympathy between
us arising from mutual love OF the
beautiful IN nature, and liking for the
same author, so that after six months
ventured to tell her I.-loved her, anC
you will guess her answer when l sa,
that was the happiest man in th'
world when | retired to bed that night
After a most blissful courtship o
three months Mr.. Toll, Helen's father
proposed 10 take his family to Europe
and when 1, with the presumption OF al
accepted lover, offered to accompan.
the party, Helen joyfully acquiesced
and her parents civilly approved.
We arrived safely in Liverpool anC
went from there TO London. Oh, wha
delightful time it was forus two travel
Ing through the great city and hunting
out the places of historical interest wit
which our reading had made US familiar
During the first two weeks OF our sta
we were perfectly happy, sight-seein
and love-making. Then we began t
get acquainted with some Of the grea
people Of London, and were rather an
moved than otherp Use at the batch of in
vltations TO dinners and ball which W
received. But we entered into societ
of the metropolis with an cagernes
which was somewhat whetted by cunos
ity. The friendship of the America
Minister opened all doors to our en-
. trance, and Helen at once became a ia
vorite with both ladies and gentlemen
: and | had reason to complain a. m
own reception
= Uncle Phil leaned his head upon hi
hand as The were collecting his thought
, He heaved a sigh and pretended 10 bio
his nose, but plainly saw that his hant
kerchiefcame in contact with his eyes
We'll children, at grand ball give
! by a nobleman, whose name escapes mi
Helen met young scion of graf fam
ly-the Hon. Charles Leigh-wh
paid her much attention. She SCENE
pleased to receive bis addre
ses, but relaxed not jot in her kin'
ness 10 me. lie took her to the operi
TO tie parks, and the Zoo and dance
often with her at the entertainments
u,l,icb generally escorted her. II