The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-08-14
UNCLE PILLS STORY.


There was never kinder man than my
Uncle Phil. He had q warm heart, a CHEEKY
voice and full purse; and he was ever gen
erous in exertiDg their good influences. But
there was melancholy air about the good
old man and a sad smile that he usually
wore, which gave one who was as frequently
with him as / an impression that be had re-
ceived, 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 of spirits, ex-
changing jests and making miserable puns,
I said to him:
Uncle Phil, tell us storyY'
=. "What about, my boy?'
II wish that you would relate some in
cident of your own life. Did you ever have
love AFFAIR.""
Instantly regretted that had asked the
question. The kind expression on his face
changed. He was not angry; he never was
But lock of pain crossed his features and
his melancholy mood which we had for a
time dispelled, returned.
"I am cory. Uncle Phil, " said /, ''if have
called up painful memories"
'You didn't mean to, my boy" said he;
''it was natural question, and L wonder
now that you never put it to me before.
Odd as it may seem, it is true that your
crusty old bachelor uncle has had a love af-
fair. and very serious one, too"
He paused and we all kept silent. After a
momenthe proceeded:
My dears, have never told the story to
man nor woman, and never thought to. But
as you arr all just starting out in life, and as
Henry there (pointing to me) seems to be
much interested in the vision in white.
whom we saw at church on Sunday, | will
relate to you q portion of my history, which
Is sadder and darker than any other man
know; and however strangely any sentence
may utter may fall upon your ears as COM
ing from a man nearly sixty, know that
you will not treat it lightly, for 1 will speak
from nv heart. Perhaps the story may
have moral, which you may apply to your
own conditions as you think fit.
at wa, about five and thirty years ago"
said Unde Phil, that / first met Helen Toll
She wasa beautiful girl, with a soul as pure
as her bright blue eyes, and from the first
moment of our acquaintance l felt that l
loved her with an ever Strengthening affec-
ton. She was only twenty, and was three
years her senior. There was sympathy be-
tween Us arising from a mutual love of the
beautiful In art and nature and liking for
the same authors, so that after six months
venturei to tell Helen that loved her, and
you viii guess the purport OF her ans Ter
when ay that was the happiest man in
the word when L retired to bed at late
hour that night.
After most blissful courtship of three
months Mr. Toll, Helen's father, proposed
to take lis family to Europe; and when /,
with thepresumption of an accepted lover,
offered b accompany the party, Helen joy
fully acniesced, and her parents eivilly APP
proved.
"we arived safely at Liverpool, and went
from thsre to London. Oh! what delight
full tine IL was for us two travelling all
throughthe great city and hunting out the
places o historical interest with which our
reading had made US familiar During the
first twoweeks OF our stay we were perfectly
happy SIGHT seeing and love making. Then
we begai TO get acquainted with some of the
great people of London, and were rather an
noyed tIan otherwise at the batch of invi-
tations b dinners and balls which We re-
ceived But we entered into the society of
the metropolis with an eagerness which was
somewht whetted by curiosity. The friend
ship OF he American minister opened all
doors toour entrance, and Helen at once be-
came hvorite with both the ladies and the
gentlenrn, and bad no reason to complain
at my ogn reception"
UnclePhil leaned his head upon his hand,
as if hewere collecting his thoughts. He
heaved ! sigh and pretended to blow his
nose, bt plainly saw that his handkerchief
came incontact with his eyes.
We'll children, at grand ball given by
noblemm whose name escapes me. Helen
met a young scion of a great family-the
Honorable Charles Leigh-who paid her
much attention. She seemed pleased to re-
ceive hi addresses, but relaxed not jot in
her kinness TO me. He took her to the OPP
era, to the parks and to the Zoo" and
danced ften with her at the entertainments
TO whlcI generally escorted her, BY some
means Unknown TO me-perhaps from q care
I less ren1rk from Helen-he became aware