Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-09


until trembled for her nerves, while
my wife, careful aud troubled, like Mar.
tina of old, with many things, looked
ready to drop with the hospitable exer'
tions she had made, aud l. sitting a
mere cipher at the head of the table. felt
as if was keeping boarding house
without any of the pecuniary emolument
therefrom.
@"My trunks will be up in the FIVE
o'clock train, ;" said the Rev Mr.. Speak
well; III trouble you, Cousin Poyntz,
to send an expressman to the depot for
'em. And if there's any department in
this domicile, Cousin Poyntz, that could
be fitted up rs study for my temporary
use, it would greatly facilitate my intel
lectual occupation during my soiourn in
the suburbs of this great city. And
hope the children will be kept still
during the hours which | devote to stu
dy."
Here my wife looked at me aghast,
thinking of little Johnny, and the baby.
"Never mind, my dear" remarked,
sotto voice, "we can easily get 'em boar
ded out somewhere"
"And." went OIL Rev Mr.. Speakwell,
al should esteem it favor ii horse
and buggy could be procured for my
daily use when going to DIR. Dosem. in
the city, as the motion of the train disa-
grees with my nervous system"
81 don't happen to own carriage but
l might buy one."
Thank you, thank you. Cousin
Poyntz," said Rev. Mr.. Speakwell,
blandly.
"And if there's any other little thing
you should happen to want, pray don't
be backward in mentioning 1t, i" l add
ed.
''No won't, Cousin Poyntz," said
the reverend gentleman, with the utmost
gravity.
And I am bound to say that he kept
his word.
For three days l endured the swarm
of visitors which literally infested my
home, and then I made up my mind
that patience had ceased to be a vir-
tue
'Tll put stop to this thing" said
I.
Icame home one night with a tragical
expression on my face.
Katharine, l said to my wife, 81
made a sad mistake in buying those
shares i'll the Western Union. More
than that, am sorry to say, the owner
is ruined p
"Whaty" cried all the company at
once.
"Those shares of Western Union, you
know" said |, with heavy sigh.
Eyes, dear" gasped poor Kitty.
"They have gone down." said l.
"Oh John"
81 wish 1 had taken your advice, and
let 'em alone, said /.
I looked beamlngly around at my
wifs's relations. They returned the
glance by the blandest of stares.
IF 1 borrow two hundred dollars a
piece from all these dear kindred" said
l, with obtrusive cheerfuIness, "and
request Uncle Silas to indorse my busi-
ness notes"
Il couldn't think of such a thing"
hurriedly interrupted that gentleman.
81 should be most happy to oblige,
but l am quite cut of funds at present,
said Cousin Joab.
"And L, said the Rev Mr.. Speak
well, pushing back his chair, ''must
save what little share 1 posses of the
worlds filthy lucre to pay my passage
and that of my family back to Minneso-
ta."
Surely" cried I, ''you would not go
away nd1eave me in such pecuniary
straits as these"
The Rev. Mr.. Speakwell significantly
buttoned up his pockets.
cit is every mans business to look
after himself, Cousin Poyntz," said he;
"and I don't seruple to say that it is
downright dishonesty for business man
like yourself to get into such financial
difficulties.
And IN fifteen minutes every cousin
in the lot had. upon one excuse or an
other, vanished from the room, to
pack and prepare for immediate depart
ure.
Hooked at my wife; my wife looked
at me. l burst out laughing; Kitty be-
gan to cry.
"My DEAR" said I, ''it's an easier job
than l thought it would be. 1 didn't
know but that it would be necessary for
me to catch the small -pox before / could
gef rid of your relations"
"But are we very poor, John? And
must we give up this dear little cottage2
Oh, how cruel it is of Uncle Joab, and
Mr.. Speakwell, and Uncle Silas, and all
of them, not to help you know Ma
riana Wilmerding has five thousand dol
lars that she wants to put out at inte-
rest, for she told me only yesterday,
and"
eyes. exactly" said GCRut nrohs-