The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-08-23
OUR UNCLE DAVID,

ha5 never seen Uncle David t was
not I'll I was nearly ten years old hat I
knew 4 had such q relative and my sister
Florence, though some years older, had
been kept ID equal ignorance.
The first time We knew Ee had az Uncle
David was when an old family servant one
day dropped his name by accident But
when we asked her - tell Is about hisu,
she looked frightened. and said we must
never speak Of him. and, above all. must
never let our father know that she had
mentioned Uncle David.
We were curious TO know Why. but old
Hannah said she would surely be turned
away, f the Callnel-our father was an
army 8f5cer-ever found out that she had
spoken to Us Of an uncle
And his own brother, too," Hannah
couldn't help adding. put my 6ears. I've
already said too mach, and # your father
was 70 know
Old Hannah had been 50 kind to Us
since our mothers death, and We loved
her 50. and she looked 50 veKed Al her for
getfulness. and we were, withal, 50 fright
eued al The thought Of losing her that we
asked 10 further questions, much as We
desired 10 know al about Uncle David.
We seldom saw our father The duties
Of his station kePtbim from rs most Of the
time. Though, IN the brief intervals We
had him with Is, he was always kind and
tender. there was something 50 stern and
haughty II his manner that We never felt
quite a. ease IL his presence aud after
old HaBnaL's caution the last thing We
would have thought Of would have been To
question him about What We wan'ed 50
much 70 know.
Our father vas assigned. at length 70 =
distant service, requiring a prolonged ab-
seUCe- and Florence and I wers sent 10
i've with auut-a sister Of our mothers
We found a pleasant home with Amt
Mildred. who treated Us both kindly
though II was easy 10 see Florence was the
fa~ori-e-bow. indeed. could she help be
ing everyJ06y's fsv5rite, she was So beau
Ur-- and good and gentle
One Gay I saw Aunt Mildred looking
very closely 1t Florence Her face wore a
troubled lnCt-. AID following the direction
gf Ler eyes I disc '-er-G uGac had never
observed before. On tie eft side Of Flor
eECe's neck there was something which
rese---ed 4 little rODuG ball under the
skin.
HOY long has that been there 90 asked
Aunt Mildred placing her finger on Il.
Is has been growing for some time %
Florence answered but Of late has in
creased rapidly.
Aunt Mildred said 10 more. but her
troubled look s,ilI remained. and grew
more troubled from day 70 day.
Florence soon began % wear her hand
kerchisf high, 50 as TO conceal the appear
ance We had noticed Not that SIZE vas
vain Of her looks poor dear. b1tste SO lJv-
ed, for their own sake, things beautiful
and good. that SIZE wished 70 De Ike them.
l happened, one day, 10 be behinE the
curtain Of The paTl0r window. looking az
some boys playing when tie family doe
TOT called tor see my aunt. [ had 10 IN
tsDtlou Of being a listener. but some words
j could not help hearing reused my atteD-
tIgu.
$50 y7u think 1t vii continue to in
crease. doctor 90 inquired aunt Mildred
+'L uC5u b5a0 ~
Aud -As result IS permanent deformi-
ry ?"
'.Worse-it viii endanger her life.
knew y vas my sister Florence or
whom they spoke.
And Is there no remedy - my aunt
continued.
Yes, dangerous operation, and know
but one man capable Of performing IT,"
Bring him here Al the end Of ten days"
said Aunt Mildred, n her calm, detelmin-
ed voice Mean while VIII eunIn unicaue
with NJ bTCtbeE-iR-lav. His oldest child.
AN infant son, died under a surgical opera
ton. / was travelling abroad al the time,
but have besn told that he suffered kssuIy
al hIs loss, and hence he may hesitate be
fore taking q similar risk But unless.
within the time named, ] have his answer.
I shall myself take the responsibility
Il was not because I wished to conceal
nv presence that I remained Cuiet TIL the
doctor and my aunt left tEe room but the
news that [ Lad once . little brother. set
me - thinking IN much the same way old
HaunaL's mention Of Uncle David had
done.
Gidn's tel Florence what had over
heard, for the poor girls face looked sor-
roWful euOug5 now. aud | bad no wish TO
add 10 her pain But she cane one day
and put hey hand II m5re.
The doctor Is coming To morrow. Char
ley, she said. ''He Is going % perform
an operation on me. Il Is necessary. but
may die under i, and I want you 70 be
with me.
Ny eyes dlled, but forced back the
tears I was Did enough To remember that
l had ; soldiers blood IN N veins.
u VIII be with you- Flov," 1 said. and
Il Was al my swelling throat would permit
ne ID utter.
Next day, Florsnga and /, hand IL hand.
entered the room where the surgeon and
Lis assistants were waiting El0reace's
face was very pale, but she tried "a rsas-
sure me With smile as she fsl5 usy hand
trem5Ie iu hers
This is my niece - said Aunt Mildred.
addressing a grave faced gent Iemau. with
a not HuE5ndIT face
Have courage, nv dear young lady,
sad the gentleman. taking FIorencs's hand
and leading her to Al easy chan, ia which
he placed LsI lalf reclining.