Iron County register., 1881-11-17

then, while l do stay We'll enjoy it,,
won't we?''
81 enjoy myself very well at any
time.''
Kate understood all this. She knew
just what her uncle was, and she had
come prepared to meet all his peculiari-
ties. She kept the same smile on her
face, and in the same sweet tones did
she address the old miser under all cir
cumstances. Ere long she asked her
uncle where she should find the mate
rials for supper, for she confessed that
she was hungry.
g I eat some bread and cheese when l
am hungry" he told her.
''But haven't you any tea, or flour,
or butter?''
"There may be little butter," said
the old man, reluctantly; but don't
think there's any -four, and tea is some
thing don't use.''
"But you like it, uncle?'
"Why, yes-but it costs too much: -"
s'And sugar, have you any of that? ?''
"No. l get along very well without
"Then you wait a few minutes, and
I'll run out and get some. l saw store
as came by, only few rods back from
here.''
And as she spoke she put on her bon
net and shawl.
"But don't have any account at the
store," uttered the old man, fearfuliy.
"They won't trust me-"
"Never mind. I have the money. Just
you see to the fire, and mind the tea
kettle boils.''
And thus speaking, Kate ran out. In
about fifteen minutes she returned, and
in her arms she bore quite little heap
of packages. A little bundle of flour, a
package of tea, some sugar, a small
new tin pail full of milk, and so on.
Her next movement was to hunt up
the bread. She found loaf of bakers
bread, and having cut it up into slices,
she placed it near the fire to toast.
Then she moved out the old table, and
after the leaves were raised she inquired
for table-cloth, but the old man had
none.
But she was prepared for this, and
more, too. In her trunk she not only
found cloth, but also cream-pitcher,
sugar-bowl, and a few articles of like
description which she kept as remem-
brances of her mother. The snow
white cloth was spread, the dishes put
on, and then Kate hunted up stew
pan.
This she cleaned, and having fixed it
on the fire she proceeded to make dip
for the toast.
She found Absalom's dishes hidden
away in various places, as though stuck
away from the sight of assessors and tax
gatherers But there were more of them
than she had imagined, though they all
were put on the table.
Finally the toast was done, the tea
was made, and Uncle Absalom was in
formed that supper was ready.
"Now, UNCLE" spoke Kate, as they
were about to rise from the table, isn't
this better than cold bread and water?"
"Why, yes, it tastes little better,
but it costs more, Kate.''
"No, no, uncle, it doesn't cost SO
much. 1t may take little more money,
but look at the comfort and satisfaction
it affords, which would be lost without
it. What is money good for, if we can
not purchase comfort with it? Who so
poor as he who has no comfort and no
joys? But 1 know what you mean.
You would be prudent and saving and
so we will be; and yet we will have some
comfort, too.'
The table was soon cleared away,
and then Kate proceeded to her dishes.
After this, she sat down and conversed
with her uncle, and for two hours she
entertained him with accounts of her
own and her parents experience.
When bedtime came, she found her
cot ready for her, and though she saw
plainly how she could better it, she said
nothing.
In the morning he was aroused by
the notes of blithe, sweet song. He
started up and listened, and he heard
the same song which his mother used to
sing in her happiest moments.
He arose and dressed himself, and
shortly afterwards Kate came in. She
had built a fire in the old fireplace out
in the porch, and coffee was already
made. She greeted the old man with a
smile, and another kiss. Her fair cheeks
were all aglow, and her face presented
the very picture of health and happiness.
"A breakfast of dry toast and butter,
coffee, and a few warm biscuits, was
soon on the table, and as the old man
sat down, that shade upon his face grew
softer still. After breakfast, Kate came
and put her arms around his neck, and
said:
"Now, uncle, that you have woman
in the house you ought to slick up lit
tle-enough for comfort, at any rate. In
the first place, we want just seven panes
of glass set. Now 60 to the glazier and
have this done at once.''
Yes-well-I have been thinking of
this for some time, Kate; but it costs SO
much.'
"Never mind that, Uncle Absalom.
Let us first have those things which are
absolutely necessary to our health and
comfort, and then we will examine the
state of our funds, and if we are likely
to fall short, we can economic in some
thing else.''
IS So we can," said the old man; and
thus speaking, he left the house. In
half an hour afterward the glazier came,
and before noon the windows were per-
feet.
And all that forenoon Kate worked
briskly about the house, with mop and