The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-11-26

saving money. He says he will do bet-
ter in time"
"For mercy sake, hush" groaned Mrs.
Sparkltr, II hope you didn't ask him to
call, Coral7"
If she did, / trust he'll have better
seuse than TO do it." said Cassandra,
holding her head very high in the air.
ut would be fine thing when the
owner of that house comes homes, to
fud us on intimate terms with his head
gardener"
1 dare say he asked her il he couldn't
come" put in Theodore. "He always
was as impudent as the mischief. Now
didn't he ask if he couldn't call Coral2"
"Not only that" retorted Coral, "but
he asked me il be oould't marry me as
we'll He meant to ask me the last
night before he moved, but he got in
terrupted, and the next day we were
gone. Aud bis folks got into trouble
right away after-so he thought he'd
wait until he was in better position be-
fore hunting us up. But now that he
found me, he said he must tell me, any
way, and"
"The saints preserve us, " choked Mrs,
Sparkler, on the verge of fainting.
"What-oh, what did he say2"
"Well, kind of said yes, if you did
not all object too strongly"
The exclamation that interrupted her
convinced Coral pretty thoroughly that
they all did object pretty strongly, and
made her wish devoutly, for a minute,
that she had been born without any ears.
You will never have my consent as
long as the world spins" wound up Mrs.
Sparkler.
Nor mine!' echoed Cassandra and
Theodore
And Coral, qnite persuaded in her own
mind that the world might as we'll come
to an end now as auy other time, curled
down into little bunch behind the cur
tains and cried until her handkerchief
was soaked.
Late in the evening, little old man.
in tall wololy cap, and pair of pain
fully brilliant spectacles, stood on the
step of the Sparkler residence, and rang
tho bell violently; and when the door
was opened by the girl, ,Irs. Sparkler,
who was peering down the staircase in
the dim light. exclaimed to the two Miss
es Sparkler behind her, "Ob, its Uncle
Ephraimi'' and ran down stairs into his
arms, with the two young ladies at her
heels. In state of great curiosity; for
though they had heard great deal of
Uncle Ephraim, they had never seen him
owing to a streak Of eccentricity which
led that gentleman to wander about the
world and cut his relations
His pet popularity had long been kee p-
ing himself secluded in veil of myste-
ry from all his kindred and friends. and
the lasttidings the Sparklers had receiv-
ed of him had been waited from Brazil.
Having concluded to show himself at
last bis relations could do no less than
be grateful therefor.
"And these Hre the girls, hey?' said
Uncle Ephraim, looking at Theo-
dora through the brilliant spectacles;
"and not married yet, hey? That won't
do, Angelina--thnt won't do at ALI"
Uncle Ephraim shook his head, and
evidently losing his temper at such
state of affairs, he continued with
frown gathering above his nose
ut won't dot won't do Angelinal
They must get married"
"But Uncle" began Mrs. Sparkler,
1--WE know nobody now, owing to our for
tunes having fallen"
Bother your fortunesi cried Uncle
Bphraim. who cares for fortunes? r.
know \ nice young mana splendid fel-
low. Ill fetch him to sea you-fne
young man sure TO make fortune SOME
day-sOved my life once. I'll fetch him
to zee you fine young mani He's only
a gardener now-head gardener over yon-
der"
Good gracious, don't bring garden
er" shrieked the ladies.
''Uncle, how can You, sobbed Mrs.
Sparkler, weeping with the disappoint-
ment of having had her hopes raised only
to be knocked oyer-''a man that digs
a man that raises vegetables2"
"What of that?' cried Uncle Ephraim,
bouncing out of his chair in rage, and
growing angrier and redder with every
word. Il don't care if he does. / don't
care if he's vegetable himself. i don't
care if he's cucumber, ora case-knife,
bean, or fiat Dutch cabbage, or gum
bo-he's fine young man. Sure to
make his fortune, tell you, Harley is.
Ill fetch him TO see you"
'oh, dearl oh, mei' wept Mrs Spark
ler' It'll upset everything to bring him
here. Coral wants TO marry him bad
enough. now"
Hey, hey, heyi' shouted Uncle Eph-
rain. docs Coral want to marry him?"
And Coral that minute entering the
room. be caught her 10y the arm without
waiting for an introduction. thus terri.
flying her half TO death, and whirled her
around so he could see her face. You
neel not be scared he vocirerated. II
amt no ogrei I'm Uncle Ephraim. And
who is you want to marry, hey2 Is it
Laurence Harley, hey2'
And in his excitement he shook Coral
so she could only gasp'
"Y-yes, it's L-Laurance Harley"
Mrs. sparkler, Cassapdra and Theo-
dora instantly set up vail.
"And, oh, dear !" said Cassandrn, des-
pairingly, "whatl the rich old bachelor
think when he comes bAck2 2"
"What rich old bachelor. what rich
old bachelor" demandedUncle Ephraim,
squaring his elbows and transfxiDg Cas-