Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-10-12
UNCLE BLACKS HEIREss.

choruscd the three other Miss Dark
ridges m unison.
Uncle Black was the parsonage Of
whom they spoke-a Grabbed, I, i'll
tempered. little old man-who lived
IN n superb old country sea. among
the tatskllls
lie had money 10 leave. but his
nisce. aud nsphcw- secretly believed
that II wound lee deal easier to 90 to
California or Golconda. or some OF
those fabulous places. and dig fort
unes ont, nugget 10y nugget. than to
stay at home and earn them by max
ing themselves acceptable to an old
gentleman who had IA many angles
IA rose diamond. and NJ many
prickly spikes u temper and dispo-
sition M n porcupine.
Naomi Darkridge Ind tried it first
Naomi was n soft voiced, slender girl,
with head which reminded one Of n
dropping lily.
mo ono can help loving Naomi"
said Mrs. Darkridge, as she kissed her
daughter good bye.
But in three weeks Naomi came
back. half frightened ont Of her wits.
"He scolds so dreadfully." said
Naomi. And he looks ut mo as The
wolf must have looked at Little Red
Riding Hood. Oh. mamma, couldn't
stay there, not il I was to be made
richer than Miss Burdstt Coutts her
selfr
Magdalen Darkridge went next;
but Magdalen. although n fine, tall
girl. with spirit Of her own, was
covered by Uncle Blacks savage eyes
in less than week.
I'D sooner sweep crossings for a
living" said she. than to be Uncle
Blacks beiress"
And 40 she came home without loss
Of time
Rhoda Darkridge. in no wise
abashed by tho successive failures OF
her sisters, was the third one to try
BLACK Grange and its possibilities.
But she also succumbed before the
terrible scourge Of Uncle Blacks
tongue.
ITS scold. snarl, snarl, scold. from
morning I'LL night!' said .Rhoda, as
in three days time she tearfully re-
lated her experience to her parents.
"Oh, yen don't know nobody can
know--what dreadful man Uncle
Black isl
'Oh, hang the old scamp said
Mr.. Darkridge, who was OF a free
and easy nature, and thought his
girls a great deal too sweet and nice
10 be snarled ut 10y any rich old
miser. "Let him alone. My daugh-
ter needn't go begging for any mans
money"
But here Joscelind, the youngest,
tallest and prittiest Of the four girls,
spoke up:
"rll co. said she.
"You don't know what you are I'M
dertaking," said Naomi. with shud-
der
He'd wear out stone;" said Mag
dalen.
Hes ghoulv' shuddered Rhoda.
II can get along with him, I am
very sure" said Joscelind, brightly.
And she packed up her little trunk,
and went TO Black Grange.
II was sunset-a red, flaming sun
set, like one OF Giiford's pictures
when she came up the terraced flight
OF steps that led 10 the old house
Everything blushed blood red in the
deep light, and Joscelind could see
how lovely was the scenery; how sub
stantial this old gray house. with its
square towers and semi circular, col
onnaded porch. Uncle Black stood
on the steps, in wig and black silk
stockings, surmounted by huge silver
kneebuckles.
80 you are Joscelindi' said Uncle
Black, surveying her with little twink
ling eyes. like black beads.
"Yes. / am Joscelindr' said the
bright-cheeked girl, giving him a
kiss.
You're latew said Uncle Black.
II am late" said Joscelind. Il
thought the old thing Of stage never
would have got here. The horses
fairly cr~pt and the rosds were
horrid."
Its a dreadfully warm day."
growled Uncle Black.
"l'n almost roasted" sighed Josce-
lind.
THE whole summer has been in
tolarably warm" said the old gentle
man.
Ave might m well be in the tropics
and done with it, retorted Joscelind,
hinging of her shawl and tanning
herself vehemently
Uncle Black gave her tho keys that
night, just RS he had three times be-
fore given them 10 her three sisters.
II shall expect you TO take charge
81 tho whole establishment" said he
The servants are miserable"
NO more than one might expect"
interrupted Joscelind. with n depre
catory motion OF the hand 'Serv
ants are mere frauds. nowadays"
And nothing goes right about the
place"
Nothing ever does" said Josce-
lind.
Uncle Black eyed her queerly
This WAS quite different from the de
iermincd chcerfulness and systematic
good spirits ~ her three sisters.
At breakfast, the next morning,
Uncle Black began To scold. a. usual.
Fish again" said he This
makes four mornings in the week
we've had fish"
II detest fish, said ,Ioscelind,
pushing away her plate with II gri
mace
And the rolls heavy again
growled Uncle Black. breaking one
open
please give me the plate, Uncle
Black" said Joscelind. ana she rang
the table bell sharply
Betty. the cook, stout, good
hundred Irishwoman, made her ap
pesrance