Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-04-28

y
Aunt Clarice's wedding present-w which
had been laid out to bleach, had disap-
peared bodily, ali but futterng end
careered about the yard or it was one
of Jacks dress boots chewed to a pulp,
and grave enough Master Jack looked
that time. / only wished his belongings
had suffered oftener but unluckily he
took precious good care to keep them
out Of the way
Jack and l were poor enough, but we
had rich relations Jack had an uncle,
Mr.. Philip Phelps, and an aunt, Clar-
ice Vaughan, both of whom had de-
clared their intention of leaving us their
respective heirs. Aunt Clarice was
childless widow, and Uncle Philip a
bachelor Both Of them were peculiar
in their wavs, and full of whims and
fads. We had never been able to en-
terrain them hitherto, but as soon as
we were settled in our own house each
Of them bad promised Us visit 1t
was time for Uncle Philips arrival soon
after Jack brought home that wretched
dog. Uncle Philip bad always seemed
very fond of me, and | resolved to APP
peal to him privately to induce Jack to
Danish the horrid thing from the
house.
Uncle Philip was stout and rubicund,
with bald pink head fringed with
white hair, and laughing blue eye
two of them, in fact. Unluckily for
my private plans, he took most kindly
to Hero from the first; and as | watch
ed the softening of his eye over the
pups clumsy gambols, realized that
any attempt to influence him as | de-
sired would be utterly in vain We
were all collected in the black parlor
on the night of his arrival, he sitting
in a large easy-chair in the window
He was just giving us a graphic de-
scription of recent visit to New Mexi-
co, when he started, and clapped his
hand to his head with a sudden ejacu-
latlon.
81 thought you told me you had no
mosquitoes here" he said, with puZ-
zled air.
Neither had we, as Jack and both
assured him, and after moment he
took up the thread of his narrative
Crack another slap at his bald head,
and another break in his tale. Crack,
crack crack,
"What do you mean by denying
mosquitoes" he cried, Indignantly. 81
know that mosquitoes and malaria are
two things that the inhabitants Of n
swamp will never confess to; but
thought that you two were above such
weaknesses"
Our earnest "But, indeed, dear
uncle" was suddenly interrupted by a
sudden futter of wings, and a douche
of cold water exactly on the center of
Uncle Philips head. Jack sprang to
| his feet.
'lts those beastly birds, Madge,"
he said. They've been chucking their
seeds at Uncle Philip, and now they've
finished up with shower-bath. TAX
ing their bath in their drinking-cup,
too, the little brutesl It's too bad, l
VOW
Uncle Philip was silent, but his face,
rs he glared at the cage overhead, was
study Iapologized, eagerly, AFFECT
ly, and, hoped to some purpose
Then we adjourned to the front parlor,
ana finished the evening pleasantly.
Uncle Philip was up bright and early
the next morning. | was surprised to
find him in the dining-room when |
went down, before the bell rang, to see
that the table was properly set. Hero
was beside him, blinking up with his
great stupid eyes, one big paw laid up
on Uncle Philips knee, and his red
tongue lolling out idiotically. Uncle
Philip greeted me atfectionately, tho
| fancied, with an air of restraint.
did you sleep well, uncle Philip
| asked Uncle Philip hesitated.
ut was quiet enough most of the
night" he said, but l was somewhat
! disturbed toward morning"
Not used to the city noises ~ | ask
ed; but Jack who had come in behind
me, laughed.
Nonsense, Madgew he said. you
forget that Uncle Philip lives in Chi
cago, which is not exactly country. 1t
was those birds of yours again. Uncle
Philips room is directly over my study,
and the things tuned up at daylight a.
usual. Nobody could sleep in such n
COMPOUNDED racket. Now confess, UNI
Gle Philip, was not that the trouble?'
why Jack !" | sand, half-csying.
at is too bad of you The little dar-
lings couldn't disturb anybody with
their singing, and you know there is
not another window in the house where
they can hang. Uncle Philips : the
only other east room, and they must
| have the morning sun.
"Oh, pray don't disturb your arrange
ments on my account" said uncle
Philip. rather grimly, mo doubt
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