The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-12-25

lODSLer s6laQ al lDttum, ana Kept on
sending up her cup for more green tea
until l trembled for her nerves.
While my wife, careful and troubled,
like Martha of old, with many things,
looked ready to drop with the hospita.
BILE exertions she had made, and l, sit
ting mere cipher at the head of my
table, felt as if was keeping board
ing house without any of the pecunisry
emoluments therefrom.
"My trunks will be up in the 6 o'clock
train," said the Rev. Mr.. Speakwell;
I'll trouble you, Cousin Poyntz, to
send an expressman to the depot for
em. And if there's any apartment in
the domicile, Cousin Poyntz, that could
be fitted up>as q study for my use, it
would greatly facilitate my intellectual
occupation during. my sojourn in the
suburbs of this great city. And l must
beg that you keep the house very still
during the hours which I devote to
study"
Here my wife looked at me aghast,
thinking Of little Johnny and the baby.
"Never mind, my dear,"I remarked
soto voce, 1--WE can easily get 'em
"And," went on the Rev. Mr.. Speak
we'll, Il should esteem it favor if q
horse and buggy could be procured for
my daily use when going to DIR. Do
sem, in the city, as the motion of the
train disagrees with my nervous sys-
tenn.
~ don't happen to own carriage,
but might buy One,," said I.
"Thank you, Cousin Poyntz," said
Mr.. Speakwell, blandlv.
And if there's any other little thing
you should happen to want, pray don't
be backward in mentioning it." I add.
ed.
"No. I won't Cousin Poyntz," said
the reverend gentleman, with the ut
most gravity.
And I am bound to say that he kept
his word.
For three days I endured the. swarm
to visitors which literally infested my
home, and then I made up my mind that
patience had ceased to be virtue.
"l'll put stop to this thing" said I.
I came home one night tragical ex-
preston on my face.
Katherine" 1said to my wife, II
am ruined"
What" cried all the company at
once.
"Those shares in the Western Union,
you KNOW" said I, shifting my fore
head.
Eyes, DEAR" gasped poor-K Kitty.
"They have gone down." said I.
s'Not worth penny"
"Oh john"
II wish had taken your advice, and
let 'em alone" said I. "But, after all,
it doesn't SO much matter, as if I had
no friends"
I looked beamingly around at my
wife's relations. They returned the
glance by the blankest of stares.
IF l borrow 5000 piece from all these
dear Kindred" said I, with obtrusive
cheerfulness, land request Uncle Silas
to endorse my business notes"
II couldn't think of such a thing"
hurriedly interrupted that gentleman.
II should be most happy to oblige,
but I am quite out of funds at pres
ent," said Cousin Joab.
"And l." said the Reverend Mr..
Speakwe]l, pushing back his chair,
unjust save what little I possess of the
worlds filthy lucre to pay my passage
and that of my family back to Mime
sota."
"Surely." cried I. "you would not 20
away and leave me in such pecunlary
straits as these"
The Reverend Mr.. Speakwell signifi-
cantly buttoned up his pockets.
1T is every mans business to look
after himself, Cousin Poyntz," said he;
and I don't scruple to say that it is down
right dishonesty for a business man like
yourself to get into such financial diff
culties."
And in fifteen minutes every cousin
in the lot had upon one excuse or an
other, vanished from the room, to pack
and prepare for immediate departure.
Hooked at my wife; my wife looked
at me. burst out laughing; Kitty be-
gan to cry.
"My DEAR" said I, "its an easier job
than I thought it would be. I didn't
know but what it would be necessary
for me to catch the smallpox before I
could get rid of your relations.
"But we are very poor John and we
must give up this dear little cottage? Oh
how cruel it is of cousin Joab, and Mr..
Speakwen and uncle Silas, and all of
them not to help you'll I know Mariana
Wilmerding has IS, 600 that she wants to
put out on interest, for she told me only
yesterday and"
Eyes, exactly" said I. "But proba-
bly, she dosen't regard me as q safe in
vestment."
CATER all have done for them," Sob
bed my wife.
Relations are only human my dear, -
sain I.
The company took their leave with
out much ceremony of adieux and that
afternoon my wife came to me with