Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1880-01-01
. Can't be-, said Uncle David.

Elgin by name. Now, is it likely
they'd be livin' in palace like thatP'
"Don't know anything about that, )
said the policeman. "But it's No. 99.'
And he went on slapping himself
more Vindictively than ever.
Uncle David stood staring at the tai
house few moments more, and ther
he assembled the steps and rang the bell
"It can't do no harm to inquire, any
how" said he to himself,
A maid in a Auted muslin cap
trimmed with myrtle green ribbons, and
bounced merino dress, answered the
far-ot tinkle of the bell.
"Does Mrs. Evelyn Elgin live herep
said Mr.. Duty.
"Guess you've mistook the door,
mister" said the damsel, sHpercilious-
ly, glancing at the basket and bag.
Does Mrs. Evelyn Elgin live hereP'
repeated Mr.. Doty.
Yes, she lives here, but she's re-
eeiving."
"Doing whatP' said Uncle David.
" Amt it New Years dayP" said the
girl, with a pert toss of the myrtle rib
bons. " Receiving calls, stupidp'
every WELL" said Uncle David, star
ing past the girls head at vista Of
gas-lighted hall, paneled in pink and
gold, and decorated with stands of
flowers. "Then I'll call"
"She's receiving her gentlemen
Friends" demonstrated the maid.
Very well-Pm a gentleman friend
of hers"
And he pushed unceremoniously past.
"Your card, sir, if you please said
the maid, holding out her hand in some
CONSERVATION.
81 haven't any card" said Uncle
David.
And he walked, basket, bag, shaggy
great-coat and all, into an elegant suite
of parlors, where the velvet carpets,
mirrored walls, gilded furniture, and
great, glittering chandeliers, all seemed
to glisten and sparkle together. In a
bay window at the end refreshment
table was set out, with q goodly show
of cut glass decanters, silver coffee urn,
and piled-up tropical fruit, while near
by, chatting gaily TO group of gentle
men, stood lady in trailing pink silk
dress, with flowers in her hair. and
jewels sparkling at her throat. Uncle
David Doty could scarcely believe his
eyes.
"Niece Evelyn" said he slowly, sis
it possible that this is-yOuP"
Mrs. Elgin uttered a little terrified
scream, ana then covered her face with
her hands.
"Uncle Davidv' she gasped.
The old man looked dryly around
him.
"Poor!' commented he. every
poor-utmost economy-denying your
selves every luxury. Yes, I see! l see!'
"But, Uncle David
Don't trouble yourself to explain,
Niece Evelyn" he interposed. cit
isn't worth while. Do you see this?"
holding up a narrow slip of paper.
"It's check for thousand dollars
which was bringing you. But as l
see you have no need for it, may as
well destroy it."
And he tore it into strips, which he
scattered on the low sea-coal fire, and
then walked out of the room.
When Mr.. Septimus Elgin came
home at night, not much the better for
the champagne which he had contrived
to absorb during the day, his wife met
him with a pale, scared face, which
sobered him at once.
"Unole David has been here" said
she.
Chow much did he give you, my
dear~ quickly demanded her lord and
master.
Nothing; and he is estranged for
ever"
"Then,'' said Mr.. Septimus Eigin,
slapping one hand vehemently upon his
knee "we're ruined!'
Mr.. and Mrs. Elgin sat looking at
each other, with the faded flowers ex-
haling a sickly perfume around them,
and the gaslights flickering overhead.
Nor is it asserting too much to say that
they were not happy.
1t was scarcely month afterward
that Uncle David and Aunt Pandora
we're sitting by their blazing fire of
pine logs, with its resinous "drip,
drip" bubbling down into the ashes
below, when there was a low click to
the latch, and slight, yelled figure
came hurrying in.
"WhyP' cried Uncle David, rising to
his feet in breathless amazement, " it
aint never-our Evelynr'
She threw herself, sobbing, into Aunt
Pandora's kindly arms.
80, take me back, take me back"
she sobbed, for l have no other home
left"
And then she explained to them that
the brilliant Septimus having forged his
name to a check, had been
to flee the country, and that
Sheriff officers were even then in pos
session of the handsome house in East
Barron street.
"My dear, let bygones be bygones,"
said Uncle David, kindly. oven blot
out the past, now and forever. You
are our little Evelyn again-and now
let's say no more about it."
And sothe good old farmer forgot and
forgave it all; but If Evelyn lives 20 the
age of a feminine Methuselah, she
never can forget that New Years day.
-An1y Randolph