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

knew / bad such a relative and my sister
Florence, though some years older, had
been kept in equal ignorance.
The first time we knew we had an Uncle
David was when an old family servant one
day dropped his name by accident. But
when we asked her 10 tell US about him,
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, if the COlOnel-Our father was an
army oficer-ever found out that she had
spoken to us of an uncle.
''Aud his own brother, too," Hannah
couldn't help adding, ''but my dears I've
already said too much, and if your father
was to know"
Old Hannah had been so kind to US
since our mothers death, and we loved
her so, and she looked SO vexed at her for
getfulness, and we were, withal, so fright
ened at the thought of losing her, that we
asked no further questions, much as we
desired to know all about Uncle David.
We seldom saw our father. The duties
of his station kepthim from us most of the
time. Though, in the brief intervals we
had him with US, he was always kind and
tender, there was something SO stern and
naughty in his manner that we never felt
quite at ease in his presence aud after
old Hannah's caution the last thing we
would have thought of would have been to
question him about what we wanted so
much to know.
Our father was assigned, at length to a
distant service, requiring a prolonged alb
sence, aud Florence and | were sent TO
live with auut-a sister of our mothers,
We found a pleasant home with Aunt
Mildred, who treated us both kindly,
81, 4,
favorite te-how. indeed. could she help be
ing everybody's favorite, she was SO beau
tiful and good and gentle?
One day I saw Aunt Mildred looking
very closely at Florence. Her face wore a
troubled look, aud following the direction
Of her eyes, ! discovered what | had never
observed before. On the left side of Flor
ence's neck there was something which
resembled a little rOpnd ball under the
skin.
How long has that been there 90 asked
Aunt Mildred, placing her finger on it.
''It has been growing for some time,"
Florence answered ''but of late has in
creased rapidly
Aunt Mildred said no more, but her
troubled look still remained, and grew
more troubled from day to day.
Florence soon began to wear her hand
kerchief high, so as to conceal the appear
ance we had noticed. Not that she was
vain of her looks, poor dear but she so low
ed, for their own sake, things beautiful
and good, that she wished to be like them.
happened, one day, to be behind the
curtain of the parlOr window, looking at
some boys playing, when the family doc
tor called to see my aunt. / had no in.
tentiOn Of being a listener, but somo words
| could not help hearing reused my atten-
ton.
$50 you think it will continue to in
crease, doctor?'' inquired Aunt Mildred.
Undoubtedly"
'Aud the result is permanent deformi-
ty2
"Worse-it will endanger her life.
| knew it was my sister Florence of
whom they spoke.
''And is there no remedy p" my aunt
continued.
eyes, dangerous operation, and know
but one man capable of performing it."
''Bring him here at the end Of ten days"
said Aunt Mildred, in her calm, determin-
ed voice. "MeaJWhile [ will communicate
with my brother -ip-law. His oldest child.
an infant son, died under surgical opera
tiop. / was travelling abroad at the time,
but have been told that he suffered keenly
AT his loss, and hence he may hesitate be-
fore taking a similar risk. But unless,
within the time named, ] have his answer,
| shall myself take the responsibility"
It was not because / wished to conceal
my presence that ] remained quiet till the
doctor and my aunt left the room but the
news that | had once a little brother, set
me 20 thinking in much the same way old
Hannah's mention of Uncle David had
done.
| didn't tell Florence what had over
heard, for the poor girls face looked sor-
rowful enough now. and [ bad no wish to
add to her pain. But she came one day
and put her hand in mine.
'FThe doctor is coming to morrow, Char
ley" she said. ''He is going TO perform
an operation on me. 1t is necessary, but |
may die under it, and / want you to be
with me-"
My eyes filed, but I forced back the
tears. | was old enough to remember that
| had soldiers blood in my veins.
81 viii be with you, Floy,'' l said, and
it was all my swelling throat would permit
me to utter.
Next day, Florence and 1, hand in hand,
entered the room where the surgeon and
his assistants were waiting. FlOrence's
face was very pale, but she tried to reas-
sure me with smile as she felt my hand
tremble in hers.
''This is my niece, - said Aunt Mildred,
addressing grave faced gentleman, with
a not unkindly face.
''Have courage my dear young lady
said the gentleman. taking Florence hand
and leading her to All easy chair, in which
be placed her half RECLINING,