Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-10-04
UNCLE DAvY'S STAFF.

"Well, Jane, have you made up your
mind? | leave the matter entirely in
your hands"
Ny husband looked across the table at
me, and held glass OF VINE between
nim and he light, screwing up his eyes
as he examined he color.
We were sitting at desert in the old
dining room 1T Turton, the dark polish
ed mahogany table rejecting the bright
faces of our SIX children. Two by me
the eldest WHO was 50 like his father,
and the Youngest who could not eat
tidily, and wanted mamma to cut up
his orange and wipe his mouth; oppo-
site by Roland were the two little ones
with curly heads and mischievous
fingers, who were sailing orange boats
in the purple finger-glass and coaXing
papa to make more. The girls We're on
each side; the elder one peering at me
with her great blue eyes, and evidently
wondering what it was that mamma
was to make up her mind about. |
was just going to answer when ! caught
her curious gaze, and then | stopped
I'll tell you all about it when the
children go off to bed, / said.
Lucy dropped her head with q blank
expression of disappointment, which
Ronald observed with infinite amuse-
ment. There was little nod across
the table to me, and whisper about
little pitchers having long ears, which
made Lucy blush. Presently we went
to the drIwing-room. and the children
began to romp, ut the conclusion Of
which carried off the youngest to the
nursery; and before | came down again
went for Il moment into my little
morning and sat down over the
ire--I wanted to think.
People said that / was fortunate and
happy woman, and so ! was. Our
home was one of those fair English
halls standing amid its own far-sprcad-
ing grounds and rich farms. | could
match my husband and children
against the best and noblest in the land
and yet had plenty to make me often
times thoughtful, and sometimes sad
There is i cross in every lot, and mine
lay in the future-not my own but my
children's.
Ny fathcr-in-law had been an extra
VACANT man, who had drained the en-
tailed estate as near ms ne could.
NV husband with a moderately large
income, had many claims on his purse,
and, moreover, with scrupulous honor,
applied every available sum to the pay
ment of his fathers debts. We had n
large family; the eldest one was pro-
vided for by entail. But if this went on,
what could we do for the other little
ones Over and over again ] had tried
to bring the matter seriously before
Ronald, but careless security in the
future was il part Of his natural dispo-
sition, and / could not persuade him
to make any real effort for their benefit.
Invariably he said. +" Jast wait till
pay Saunders and Bolton, and then we
will begin to lay by" And | had to
think sadly 81 my own poor portion Of
$4,000 invested in shares IL the county
bank, and hope and trust.
was thinking more sadly tonight
because my husband, who had just
returned from a business visit to Lon
don, had met me with an unexpected
proposal. lie had fallen in with an old
uncle, WHO had spent the greater part
Of his life in India, toiling for the golden
fortune that never came. Now de-
crepit old man, ana confirmed invalid,
lie had expended the little he possessed
aud was actually in want Ronald
described hia miserable lodging, told
how much he suffered, and ended with
a PROPOSAL that we should ask him to
come and i've with us ut Turton. The
kind thought was just like him; but |
looked terribly blank when the idea was
suggested and opposed it violently.
Ny woman's brain at once embraced
the Obstacles, and, il may be, exag-
gerated them.
Think what tie il would be" |
said IA third person to spoil our quiet
evenings and readings aloud-a some
body to interfere with our walks, and
drives. and dinners. The poor child
ren would be hu>hed for fear Of disturb
ing the invalid; / should have to give
up mv time to lis amusement and
comfort. Besides, think OF the expensel
We agreed to give MP the carriage
horses: blt that would be out of the
question if lie were here and could not
walk or nse the pony-ph@ton. And We
must have iii extra man-servant to
wait OF linn and # We used another
,et Of rooms, We should require q second
house-mali
| drev such d melancholy picture Of