The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-01-30

deaf down stairs or has old Perkins
forgotten there is any one in the world
but herself and her snuff-box ?"
"I'm very sorry, unclel''
4" Actions speak louder than words !"
snarled Uncle Joseph, ungraciously.
How do you feel now, Uncle
Joseph ?" asked Theodore, soothingly.
"I'm worse p
Are you ?"
"Pulse higher-skin hot-face flush
ed Of course Tn worse. This con-
founded hot room is enough to throw
any one into fever Open every door
and window quick !"
Without an instant's hesitation Theo-
dora unbarred the blinds, and threw
open the four large windows and two
doors. The light from the western sky
steamed like food of fiery radiance
into the room the draft, whirling
through, caught up newspapers, futter-
cd the leaves of books, and even upset
Uncle Joseph's pet bottle of medicine.
O-w-w-wl" roared the sick man
with vehemence, that proved his lungs
at least to be quite free from disease
edo you want to blind me--to blow me
away?"
"You told me to do it, Uncle
Joseph y
"Shut the windows, quick-draw the
curtains ~ groaned Uncle Joseph,
"Who's that battering down the door !"
cts only very gentle knocking
uncle"
"TheD, I'm nervous. Go and see ~
Presently Theodore returned.
cts Major Crowfoot, uncle he
sends his compliments, and wishes to
learn how you are.
"Tell him to go to the deuce.
Yes, uncle"
:" Well" said Uncle Joseph, as his
niece returned to his bedside after mo-
mentary absence, what did he say?"
"He seemed very much offended,
uncle"
"Offended at what, pray ?" de-
manded Uncle Joseph.
"I suppose at being told to go TO
the deuce - answered Theodore, quiet
ly.
"Girl, calculated the invalid, raising
himself halfway upon his elbow, "you
lidn't tell him thatg"
"Yes, did, uncle. You said your
self, Tell him to go to the deuce.
Mr.. Joseph White fell back, fiat and
notionless, among his pillows.
Theodore, you are fool !"
"I'm very sorry, uncle" said Theo-
lora, beginning to whimper.
Uncle Joseph stared at her i'll sur
prise. Could it be possible that the
dreary days and weeks of her steadfast
attendance had weakened her intellect
and turned her brain T?
"Give me my water-gruel," he said
briefly, after few moments pondering
over the unwelcome possibility.
Theodore brought in neat little
china bowl, with q silver spoon lying on
The snowy, folded napkin that fianked it
On the tray.
Uncle Joseph took one taste, and
| threw down the spoon with petulant
sound not unlike bark.
Trash, trash Insipid as dish
water. Throw it to the pigs !"
/ Theodore took up the bowl and started
obediently for the door.
"Here, here |" roared Uncle Joseph.
"Where are you going to 2"
"TO the pig-pen, uncle"
care Won crazy, girl? The gruel's
well enough, orly Mrs. Perkins forgot
the nutmeg"
"But, uncle" said Theodore, tasting
daintily of the contents of the bowl,
it's insipid as dish-water.
"Will you allow mo to have an opin-
ion of my own ?" snarled Uncle Joseph.
"I It's very good, if that old crone down
stairs will add the nutmeg and give it
another boil. Quick, now--I'm getting
hungry A man must eat, even if he's
at deaths door?"
A minute afterwards Mrs. Perkins was
surprised by TheodOra's entrance.
"Well, said the housekeeper, " what's
awantin' now ?"
ga little grated nutmeg in this Cruel,
and uncle would like it warmed up once
more"
"What are you smiling about, Dora p
"Was l smiling ?"
" Your eyes was, If your moutl
wasn't" said Mrs. Perkins, keenly.
"Will you be as quick as you can
Mrs. Perkins ?' said Theodore. "H'
says he is hungry"
But when Theodore re-entered hei
uncles room, the invalid had takel
another tack.
"Why didn't you stay all day" Ii
growled.
Indeed, uncle, 1 hurried all could,
: pleaded Dora. "Here's the cruel, al
J smoking"
But Uncle Joseph shook his head.
5 Z" It's too late; I've lost all m
: appetite % he moaned.
" Won't you have the Cruel, uncle {?
"No, won't I"
) And Uncle Joseph closed his eyes, a
e if to signify he was too weak to debat
the question further. He waite
a anxiously for Theodore to press tn
4 question further, but she did not; an
a presently he opened his eyes the leas
little bit in the world.
D "TheodOra I"
!, "Sir?"