The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-07-06
A Legend Of Leap Year !

turlkey-hc will spoil the fun completely!
Uncle Jdb must be got rid Off
The words were yet on his lips when the
door opened, and in walked the identical
Uncle Job-a pursy bachelor of about forty,
with shining bald head and round-orbed
spectaclcs.
"Tm late this morning, Harry know
I'm late" he began, stirring the fire but
! didn't sleep two hours last night. That
confounded chambermad put the flannel
blanket over the chntz comforter instead Of
under it, and Pm quite sure she has taken
at least two ounces of feathers out Of the pill
lowp
"Uncle Job,' said Harry, suddenly.
chr"
"There's party of girls coming here to-
night" Uncle Job dropped bis speetacles.
"Girls! what for?"
"To sec you, ] suppose"
"What do you mean?"
Oh, nothing-only you must remember
that this is Leap Year"
Job Keith sat staring at his nephew, his
face alternately changing from dull crimson
to pale yellow.
Harry, where is my valise ?" said the old
gentleman, jumping up. "l'll take the ten
o'clock train up to Philo's. You don't sup
pose they'll follow me clear up into West
chester County ?"
ooh no, of course not said Harry, in
wardly chuckling at the success of his PLAN
Uncle Job began to toss his effects inds-
criminately into a small valise, consulting
the clock nervously from time to time,
It was nearly noon when the train steamed
into the quiet little station atThorneydale-
nearly noon of brilliant June day, the sky
blue, and the air full of sweet gusts. And
as Job Keith walked hurredly up the
shadowy winding lane that led toa low-eaved
cteam-colored m-house, wherein dwelt
his brother Philo, ,he congratulated himselfon
having at last reached a bourne of sweet and
peaceful rest.
"Im safe here, any how" said job Keith,
walking boldly up the path, and pushing
open the door. "I'll take board with Philo's
folks until the first of January next-there's
nothing like proper precau-"
The syllables died away on Jobs tongue
as he strobe into the cozy room.
swaying composedly back and forth in the
moreen-cushioned rocking chair, with a
bandbox on one side of her and basket on
the other, sat tall and angular female,with
keen gray eyes and a complexion whose con-
sistency reminded one irresistibly of boiled
parchment, She was attred in molasses-
colored calico, and "A bonnet bristling all
over with defant-looking artificial roses. As
Jobs valise dropped from his nerveless hand
to the floor with a hollow sound, she rose VI
and confronted him.
"I've been waiting for you this hour n ,
half" she said, tartly.
Waiting for him Had he jumped from
the frying-pan into the fire?
"There is some mistake ma am, I'm sure, ;
he said.
"Oh no, there isn't returned the lady
"You're the gentleman from New York
amt your" ......
job could not deny it.
"And I'm Mahala Hawkins from eros
the river. Philo Keith knows me g'
Job bowed stillly.
az amt so young as was, but I dom
s'pose thatIl make any difference, as long a
Pm spry and look sharp arter things. I,
calc'late to be as savin' and economical a
possible, and keep an eye to your interest
jest the same as though they was mine !"
Job sank down on a chair.
"Tain't every body I'd make such an OF
fer to - said Mahala.
Mr.. Job Keith stared helplessly at tn
graunt female before him, but said nothn!
"Pm irst-elass cook, though say it a
shouldn't say it," pursued the angular {,
male. :" can make all sorts O. pics and fiS
ins. Besides, can paint on velvet and pla
the accordion, when you get lonesome an
want company in the parlor"
" A very business-like list Of accomplish
ments," thought Job.
"Well, what do you say, yes or no?" d,
manded the redoubtable Mahala Hawkins
"Your are very kind, I'm sure" fatere
poor Job, huskily, but-I-don't need
"Whatw calculated Mahala, fiercely,ai
you going to take me?"
"No, am not" said Job Keith, drive
frantic by this series Of assaults.
Every WE'LL" said Mahala, very weI
Mister, guess you'll find you can go farth
and fare worse, Just as you please-iu
exactly-only this will say, wouldn't
to live at your house not for ornocousiderati,
you could offer, you mean, good-for-nothi
stuck up"
And Mahala Hawkins and her adiectiy
vanished out of the room together.
Halo, job! what on airth brings Y,
up to Thorneydale this time OF year?"
Honest Philo clapped his brother on Il
back to rouse him from the deep reyerie in
which he had fallen.
Look here, Philo," said Job, in a hoar
Uhisnor a Do Won SEQ that Nvorpap in 4