The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-01-07


they will agree solemnly TO leave me
IN peace for the rest Of my life, whereso-
Ver may set up my family tent"
"Nonsense," said my wife. "Do 90
upstairs and change your things, and
brush your hair and get ready for tea.
They're all waiting in the best parlor,
and was expecting your return to see
shout hiring some cot beds from the viii
lage hotel to put up In the attic for those
four little Sparkwell children. You see,
Aunt Louise has the blue bedroom, and
tohlsin Joab sleeps in the little wing
chamber, and Mr.. and Mrs. SparBwell
will have our room, and"
"Indeedw said !, land we are TO
sleep in the barn, supposeP"
Don't be cross, john" said my wife,
nppealingly; lone must be hospitsble,
you know; and l can easily make up
the sofa bed in the back parlor for our
use for q week or two"
said nothing, but ground my teeth
in silent despair; and / Isprang upstairs,
two steps at time, to make what
changes could in my toilet by the aid
of ten by twelve glass, hung over the
washstand of a snutfy ittle bathroom.
The Rev. Mr.. Sparkwell was big
man, with still bigger voice, and II
limp, faded little wife, whose sole
earthly interest seemed centered in the
four white-eyed, freckle-faced children.
Uncle Silas and Aunt Milicent were a
silent pair, with excellent appetites,
and two tall boys who giggled and
snickered at each other in the intervals
Of the conversation.
Cousin Joab talked necessarily with
his mouth full, and the two Miss Viii.
merdings served as general echoes of the
rest; while Aunt Louise devoured lob
ster salad nd libitum, and kept on send
ing up her cup for more green tea, until
l trembled for her nerves.
While my wife, careful and troubled,
ike Martha of old, with many things,
looked ready to drop with the hospitable
exertions she had made, and /, sitting u
mere cipher at the head of my table,
felt as if were keeping boarding
house without any of the pecuniary
emoluments therefrom.
"My trunks will be up in the six
o'clock train" said the Rev. Mr.. Spark
well. I'll trouble you, Cousin Poyntz, to
send an expressman to the depot for 'em.
And if there's any apartment in this
domicile, Cousin Poyntz, that could be
fitted up as a study for my temporary
use, it would greatly facilitate my intel
lectual occupation during my sojourn in
the suburbs of this great city. And ]
must beg that you will keep the house
very still during the hours which l de-
vote to my study"
Here my wife looked at me aghast,
thinking of little Johnnie and the baby.
"Never mind, my dear" remarked,
soto voice. "We can easily get 'em
boarded somewhere"
"And," went on the Rev. Mr.. Spark
well, 81 should deem it favor if
horse and buggy could be procured for
my daily use when going to DR.. Dosem,
in the city, as the motion of the train
disagrees with my nervous system"
81 don't happen to own carriage"
said /. "But might buy one"
"Thank you, thank you, Cousin
Poyntz," said Mr.. Sparkwell, blandly.
"And if there's any other little thing
you should happen to want" ! added,
"pray don't be backward in mentioning
it,"
"No, won't, Cousin PoYntz," said
the reverend gentleman, with the ut
most gravity imaginable.
And am bound to say that he kept
his word.
For three days endured the swarm
of visitors which literally infested my
home, and Imade up my mind that pa
thence had ceased to bea virtue.
"I'll put stop to this thing" said l.
came home one night with tragical
expression on my face.
Katherine" said / to my wife,
'!I'm ruined"
"Whatr cried all the company at
once.
"Those shares in the Western Union,
you know. said |, shifting my fore.
head
"Yes, DEAR" gloaned poor Kitty.
"They have gone down." said l,
"Not worth penny"
"Oh, Johnr'
I" ! wish had taken your advice and
let 'em alone,"I said. "But after all
it doesn't so much matter, as if had |
no friends, you know"
l looked beaming around at my wife's |
relations. They returned the glance by |
the blankest of stares,
III l yould borrow $500 apiece of all |
these kindred said l, with obstrusive
cheerfulness, land request Uncle Silas
to indorse my business notes"
al couldn't think of such thing"
nurricdly interrupted that gentleman.
81 should be quite happy to oblige,"
said Cousin Joab, "but l am quite out |
of funds at present"
"And l." said the Rev. Mr.. S park
well, pushing back his chair must
save what little share ! possess of the
worlds filthy lucre to pay my passage
and that of my family back to Mime
sofa"
Surely" cried l, "you will not 90
away and leave me in such pecuniary |
straits us theseP"
The Rev. Mr.. SparkWell significantly |