The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-03-09

ventured to question its existence, Uncle
Keckwidge, who could never brook con-
tradiction, became firmly convinced that
there was very severe draught indeed,
and had continued to wear his hat in
doors a. we'll as out ever since. He had
never looked with very favorable eye
on Tom Halliday, and bad occasionally
caused Bessie considerable embarrass-
ment by uttering aloud private refec.
tions to his prejudice. On the present
occasion the nrst greetings we're scarcely
over when Uncle Keckwidge, who had
been eyeing Tom over in a critical man.
ner, remarked to himself bnt qnita andi
bly,: sThe idea Of girl like our Bess
tskin up with such pair O. trousers -
that. Lor', believe the women will
have anything nowadays;" remark
which caused Tom, though not naturally
bashful, to tuck bis legs hastily under
the chair, and Bessie to look very hot
and uncomfortable; Mrs. Moyse making
as much clatter as possible with the tea
cups, and endeavoring to make believe
that nobody heard the observation, while
Uncle Keckwidge continued to MUNICH
bis bread and butter, in profound uncon-
sciousness Of having said anything offen-
sive.
"You mustn't take any notice Of un-
Gle, Tom," whispered Bessie. "You
know what he is. It's only his fun
He's always taking one off"
"Forgive me this once" said Tom ;
"1'll never do 80 any more. wonder
whether the old buffer would like a
shrimp. Try a monster Of the deep Mr..
Keckwidge," he continued putting a
spoonful on the old mans plate. Sand
I shouldn't break my heart # one OF
them got crossways and choked you,
you old imsgep he added In lower
tone.
"For shame, sir !" said Bessie; "a poor,
harmless old man; like that, and you
want to choke himp
"Why couldn't he leave my trousers
alone, then P said Tom, still by no means
pacifed.
Here Uncle Keck widge who had been
looking about uneasily, as il in search
of something, pulled large black pin
out of his neck-tie aud began digging
vigorously at a shrimp as though 1t were
a periwinkle, though apparently without
satisfactory result.
"No, uncle" said Mrs. Moyse, taking
the pin away from him; snot like that,
You're thinking OF wrinkles; these are
shrimps." 1--WE grieve to confess that
the good lady pronounced the word as
"s'rimps.")
sThen whatdid he say they was win
kles for r. said Uncle. Keckwidge, much
aggrieved.
al didn't" said Tom indignantly. Il
never said anything Of the Sort
"Young man. said Uncle Keckwidge
Mitbs dignitg: ..you said distinctly vim
|kies; noticed it particuiaF. I'm very
partial to wrinkles; but shrimps amt nc
account"
aCome, UNCLE" said Bessie; ssyou
know the last time Tom brought wrinkles
you said you preferred shrimps."
.We amt had winkles," resumed the
old man, quite ignoring his niece's re
mark, "cot since the day we found the
earwig in my Sunday hat; and then they
was In pie!"
"No,. no, uncle" said Mrs. Moyse
laughing; "that wasn't wrinkles; that was
eels."
II dunno about that" said Uncle
Keckwsdge thoughtfully; "but know
yoh pick 'em out with pin. With {
pin!" he repeated at intervals, like ar
echo, fainter and fainter each time
"Wi,h pin!' and then relapsed into ST.
lence.
BY way Of changing the subject, Tom
began to tell Mrs. Moyse how the grea,
case Of Davis vs. Morpeth was expected
TO come of Wednesday week, and bew
the most important title deed was mys.
teriously missing, and Mr.. Morpeth had
offered q reward of five hundred pounds
to any one who would return it.
Uncle Keckwidge frightened up sud-
denly at the word .sreward."
III know" be said, nodding his head
sagely. II see the bill myself at the ba-
ker's round the corner. A carrier dog
with one eye; answers to the name o
Bod. Ten shillin' reward" $.
"No, no, UNCLE" said Bessie; itbat's
not the reward we were talking about
Tom was telling Us about paper tina,
was lost, and the gentleman offers heap
Of money to get it back again. Five hun.
dred golden pounds! Only think oi
thatl'
"Five hundred pounds for finding 9
tarrier dog" replied Uncle Keckwidge
at Amt likely; not If he was ever such
sumner for rats"
II didn't say anything about terrier
dogs. Mr.. Keck widge," exclaimed Tom
II said deed; Mr.. Morpeth's deed"
"You distinctly said tarrier dog with
one eye" said Uncle Keckwidge.
II never said anything Of the kind T.
shouted Tom. 81 said it was deed that
was lost; q parchment document"
II said all along it was dog you
meant" said the old man, only catching
the last word Of the sentence. "A tar
rier dog, answers to the name OF Bob
Well, You amt found him, have you"
Mrs. Moyse and her daughter we're SO
tickled with the cid mans mistake and
Toms increasing indignation,that it was
some time before their laughter would
permit them to explain to Mr.. Keck.
widge that it was valuable paper, and
not dog, that was lost.
"Then why did he come telling us
stories about tarrier dogs? l don't be-
lieve there amt been no dog lost at ell
there now. And be may put that in bis
pipe and smoke it,"
Tom was beginning to get really an.
cry, but Bessie pacifed him BY squeez.
! ing his hand under the table and whis.
pering:
ssLor'. you don't mind uncle, TON
dear. You know he's quite deaf and
foolish. He doesn't know half be says.
IL don't think much Of the other half
whichever il may be-" said Tom doubt
fully. "He's never particularly amisble
but this evening be does seem to hsv'
his knife into me uncommon"
"Never mind, DEAR" replied Bessie
tive don't take any notice OF what b.
says. and you mustn't either. Have
little OF mothers homemade raspberry