Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-12-08

come 10 3u emu now - NJ any Otuct
time. curled down into little bunch
behind the curtains and cried till her
handkerchief was soaked. -'sa'
Late in the evening. . little. old gen.
tleman, in tall. woOlly cap and pair
of painfully brilliant spectacles, stood
on the step Of the Sparkler residence
and rang the bell violently; and when
the door wss opened BY the girl. Mrs.
Sparkler. who. was peering down the
staircase in the dim light, exclaimed to
the two Misses Sparkler behind her:
"Oh, it's Uncle Ephraimp' 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 ramble about the world
and cut his relations.
His pet popularity had long been
keeping himself secluded in veil Of
mystery from all his kindred and friends,
and the last tidings the Sparklers had
received Of him had been waited from
Brazil. 49,
Having concluded to show himself at
last. his relations could do no less than
be grateful therefor.
"And these arc your girls. hey"'
said Uncle Ephraim. surveying Cassan-
dra and Theodore through the brilliant
spectacles; "and not married yet, hey?
That won't do. Angelina-that won't
do at all,''
Uncle Ephraim shook his head. and
evidently losing his temper at such q
state of affairs, he continued with q
frown gathering above his nose.
at won't do. 1t won't do, Angelina!
They must get married" i {
"But you see. uncle" began Mrs
Sparklcr. 1--WE know nobody now. Ow-
ing TO our fortunes having fallen"
Bother your f0rtunes" cried Uncle
Ephraim. WHO cares for fortunesl l
know q nice young man splendid
young man. I'll fetch him to see you
line young man; sure to make a for
tune some day; saved my life once, I'll
fetch him to see you-fine young man!
He's only gardener no-y-head gar
dener over yonder-"
GOOD gracious! don't bring gar.
dener," shrieked the ladies. l.io
"Uncle, how can you" sobbed Mrs.
Sparkler weeping with the disappoint-
ment Of having had her hopes raised
only to be knocked Over-''a man that
digs-a man that raises vegetables s.
..What Of that?'' cried Uncle Eph-
rain. bouncing ont of his chair in a
rage, and growing angrier and redder
with every word. Il don't care if he
does. don't care If he's q vegetable
himself. don't care if he's q cucum-
Der, or case-knife bean, or fai
Dutch cabbage. or a guDabo-he's q
fine young man. Sure to make his for
tune tell you. Harley is. I'll fetch him
to see YOU" 9s
.-Oh, deari oh, mer' wept Mrs. Spark
Ter. It'll upset everything to bring
him here. Coral wants to marry him
bad enough now. and"
..Hey, hey, hey" shouted Uncle Eph-
rain. "Does Coral want to marry
him?" And Coral that minute enter.
ing the room. he caught her by the arm
without waiting for an introduction.
thus terrifying her half to death. and
whirled her around so he could see her
face. Needn't be scared" he vocif.
Grated II amt no ogre; I'm Uncle
Ephraim. And who is it you want Ia
marry. hey. hey? Is it Laurence Har.
ley. heyg"
And in his excitement the little man
shook Coral about so she could only
gasp:
"Y-yes. it's Laurence Harley"
Mrs Sparkler and Cassandra and
Theodore instantly set up vail.
"And. oh. dearr' said Cassandra,
despairingly, 'what'n the rich old
bachelor think when he comes backF'
"What rich old bachelor-what rich
old bachel0rT' demanded Uncle Eph.
raim. squaFing his elbows and transiix'
ing Cassandra with his shiny spectacles.
Z" Do you mean the old bachelor who
owns the house across the hedge-hcy.