Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-05-01

Their painter and their maker, who art God.
Chambers Journal
UNCLE JACKS STORY.
It is not much of a story in itself, new
ertheless I love to tell it, and perhaps it is
because I have told it SO many times,
and that it is true that it makes so great
an impression upon me. However, you
shall hear the story. My Nephew Philip
wrote me that he was tired of roaming
about the world, and as he expressed it,
was going to visit his good old uncle
once mere and then settle down to bust
ness. Philip was good boy and I al
ways felt proud Of him.
About the same time my Sister Judith,
who is the remaining part of M family,
received letter from young LADY friend
saving that she was also coming to see US
and make good long visit. .;:
Being an old man, you know, I will
have my joke, and when Judith read
Jeanne Morris letter to me, said ''Noth-
ing could have fallen out more delight
fully. Upon my word, this arriving on
nearly the same day looks like ia te,
doesn't it9'' Judith rebuked nc as in
duty bourd. ..... 49,.
"Well, Jeanne Morris came, and she
set our usually staid and quiet house
quite beside itself with her charming
| ways.
Philip came, too, and when they met I
introduced them in my own awkward
fashion.
"This is that scapegrace, Phil. Voor.
hies," said. "You have heard us talk
about him more than enough. I dare
say we have made Miss Morris hate you
in advance, Phil"
What more I said do not know; kept
on talking, though conscience that had
produced verv unexpected coup de thea.
ter. I was evidently doing work OF
supererogation in introducing those two
young people. They recognized each
other, and this unexpected meeting was
a surprise, thong L saw at once that it was
not of an agreeable nature to either.
| Phil turned pale under all the sunburn
left by his sea voyage, and Jeanie-well
Jenie looked as remembered seeing her
do once when she was little, and an Older
girl with a bad temper boxed her ears
she locked positively faint, with ming:
ling of emotion in which it was difficult
to tell whether sort of frightened sur.
prise or proud Indignation was upper
most.
I glanced at Judith. For once in he1
life Judith stood helpless, as near reduced
to state of coma as was myself.
Jeanne was the first to speak. She held
out her hand.
"Row do you do, Mr.. Voorhies2" she
said, "Imet your friend in Europe, Uncle
Jack, she added, to me in explanation.
There was more talk, but I could see
that both Philip and Jeanne were embar-
rassed and soon the party broke up.
AS soon as Jeanne and Judith had left
us and the instant the doors closed Phil
turned quite savagely upon me.
"Why didn't you let me know that
girls was to be here?' he demanded:
''How could / think of it2' pleaded
in desperation. II did not know thai
you had ever set eyes On each ether
Good gracious, Phil! what does it all
mean?" ." T.
"Meana' cried he, lit means that III
not. spend a night under the same roo
with her! can't help how it looks
don't care what anybody thinks--I an
"eoing awaya Why, you'll break
Judith's hearth!
! don't talk to me about hearts y roarec
Phillip. ''There's no such thing whe1
women are concerned-the article wa
left out Of their. anatomy. However
that's neither here nor there-1 cam
stay; would not endure another houl
of such purgatory as that dinner hal
been for any price one could offer" !.
"Matters did not seem to go smoothly
somehow" said I.
"Smoothly !" echoed Phillip, in q voice
that sounded like the blare of a war
trumpet. Then he laughed, in bitter
tragic way that would have done cred1
to the Mephistopheles himself. " ':
DO tell me what 1t is all about!"
cried, feeling more bewildered than ever
l.. "There's never any use in explana
TONS" replied Phil, loftily. ~ am very
sorry to appear rude; can only trust t
your goodness to excuse it."
sat dazed, as be left me. wonderin
what it all meant. Maybe dropped in
to a doze. Anyway, l felt as If / bad {
nightmare; reused myself enough a
last to think that must join the others
when heard Judith's step in the hall. -
slack! Where are you, Jack2' sh'
cried. ~ wv"
"Here am" I groaned, rising to NEE
her. . -. I:
"Did ever mortal hear the like O
this9" she cried, waving an open lettel
over her head "Never, neverl an
fifty years old, but if Twas five hundred
Icould not expect such thing to happier
twice." Ills
"Wh.what is itr' I asked. III
Phillip" ,io r., ,@ 49,.
give not seen him-one Of the mer
met him in the road" i,
"Then he has gone, after all2'' ~.
"Gonel" echoed Judith. can find
no comparison that could dc justice t.
her tone.4 :. :.s... .e",~... 2-c1G .
~ suppose he tells you all about it il
his letter." suggested, hoping at leas
to be relieved from explanation, since ]
really had none to offer. zs,:,.s::ss,z al, !.
''What does he sayf' a. 1ad .-crre -.
"ssy! I think You are crazy. You ar,
all as mad as hatters! Eli turn the hous,
into On asylum, and shut YOU all up in it
if there's no other Way - IF f. = =,
aBut the letter - IL q. IN. L..,-. =.
Don't I tell you its from Jeanie!
cried Judith, fairly dancing at me in he
anger and astonishment. 'tJeaniea 1la
- -, Eft; 3#3# 81 Dee z&;sa!4tzEE3 49,
t. ,"sJeanie gone q toosn I mu mutt an,
sat helpless. 3:.4.faa us!I .a7ssesysv4 avi5a:a
II .aaone, foa2n, demanded Judith. II "D,
you mean that Philip has left the house2