South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-10-10
r q TIL 8 CHOICE

Oie Ihat DrlSnt spring morning. FIRST,
Mrs. Dermot herself, fair, fat and-well
no matter about the age-ten years q
widow with not ovcr.plcnty Of means,
and the mother Of three girls: Miss
Laura, the eldest and The beauty Miss
Isabel, u beauty also, and musician
besides; and little Ruth, who was re-
gardei by The family as neither very
brilliant nor very beautiful, but very
useful TO help mother and the sole ser
want with the household affairs.
This morning there was one in the
group, Mrs. Dermot's brother Edward
an improvident youth who had rua away
to California years ago and just come
back not much the better. as Mrs. Der
mot could discover, for his long wander
ings.
We never need have expected poor
Ed. 10 make anything she remarked TO
her daughters the night after his sudden
return. lie says he has saved enough
TO buy hims Ii little home somewhere,
out suppose that is all. ] am sorry,
for did hope lie would have been able
TO DO something for you girls. But |
suppose we must make the hest Of ~,
and treat him as well rs We can. / do
hope he won't try 10 buy house in the
city, for it won't help you TO have shah
by relations close. | shall advise him,
as lis means are small, 10 buy over on
the Jersey shore
Uncle Ed. received this advice and
consented TO adopt it, with sly twinkle
in his gray eyes, which Mrs Dermot did
not notice.
She rather expected 10 he asked to
assist in the selection OF the little place.
but rs Uncle Ed. did not invite her TO
accompany him, she did not offer her
services.
AT the table this morning, uncle Ed
announced that the little house was rea.
dy for occupation and that he was going
10 take possession in two or three days.
And now | want housekeeper.' he
said in slow way. Won't you lend
me one OF your girls. Mary
Everybody looked up as Uncle Ell
made this amazing request. Laura
blushed with vcSationi Isabel shrugged
her pretty shoulders AMI smiled, aid e
ven Ruth looked astonished.
OF course you needn't do the rough
work. continued Uncle Ell. I'll hire a
kitchen girl for that; but ! thought T.,
rather have one OF my own relations to
look after things. You see I'll not have
many more years to live; and I'd like
to he among my own kin
Nobody answered. so poor Uncle Ed.
went on slowly: I'll tell you what I'll
do. If one ofyou girls will go over to
my new home and live there with me I'll
give her her board and clothing while
she stays, and whenever she marries I'll
give her what ! can for setting out
Now, I'll leave you, and you can think
over 1t. I'm going over to-day, and
when | come back this evening you can
have your choice male.
After Uncle Ell left the room there
was chorus of ordinations.
lsa5e! leaned back in her chair and
laughed until she was tired.
Wouldn't | look pretty playing the
piano in Uncle Eds six by nine parlor.
with an ingram carpet and wooden
chars| size ezcGilted
Aud wouldn't feel like asking Col.
onel Richardson to call on me in some
ittIe muiiY, stutfy. Jersey place. cried
Laura Indignantly.
Us pity, know, said Mrs. Der.
mot. but | don't see but what some oil
you ought to go. r. would relieve US
and yOn know Uncle Ei. would dress
you; lie said So
Dress cried Laura, indig nantly.-
\ es. calico gowns and cotton shawls
and may be a cheap alpaca for Sunday
Thank You; not for me let Ruth 60
she'll suit
IF ma i5 willing. viii 60 said Ruth.
speaking for the FIRST time. III Uncle
FL. feels lonely and wants one OF us We
ought To 60 and stay with him, and / am
willing 20 90
W ell, DO suppose Won would be tho
best for him. said Mrs Dcrmot. thought.
| fully. 1t would leave more, too. for the
other girls, and then when they marry
they can help you
You forgot Uncle III has promised
her setting out said Isabel with q
ssornrul laugh.
And Laura added, a pretty setting
out, no doubt. I don't suppose after
/ biz house is furnished, Uncle Ed. will
have fifty dollars in the world Go n.
I long Ruth ! wish you JOY in the bar
gain
Laura, Isabel hush. sail Nrs. Der.
mot reprovingly. II Ruth has mind
| 10 g7. You ouch, not TO pm obstacles in
her wav. lie; her do as size likes
/ When Uncle 10. came buck 70 was an.
nounced TO him tha, Ruth hal decided
10 20 with him.
Thank you, dear, he said, laying his
hand on her head I'll try 90 make son
as CON Portable ne 7 can. Will you be
ready 10 20 over day after tomorrow
Yes sir answered Ruth.
! The girls had great deal OF sport
bout her going nczt day. but ltc'c Ruth
whose hear. was warm xith pity for
I her lonely uncle, held firm. and Wa.
ready Co 20 early nest morning
/ Uncle ID. invited tac rest TO 90 over
/ and sec her installed in her nov
home. Laura haugbu'y declined but
F Mrs. Dermot and Isabel resolved TO 20