The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-01-05

youf Well, / had secretary who was
like son TO me, and he had TO up and
die with consumption !" and down
came the cane again, while he winked
the tears out Of his little, sunny, blue
eyes. "And / said to myself, 'Podham,
you're a helpless old hulk, too restless
to rot out in port, but must needs keep
afoat, and you've got to have strong
hand at the helm So, like an inspira-
tion, you came to my mind, hadn't
seen one of you for ten years and l
said to myself, Edmund must be seven
nd-twenty; and if he hasn't been a
fool and fallen in love, or married, he's
my boy 7"
"You-are very-kind, unclel" STAN
mered Latimer, with genuine blush
of shame dyeing his cheeks.
"Now cant abide any fiddle-de-dee,
lovesick nonsense, my lad and as we
travel about from Dan to Beersheba,
you'll see lots of them giggling young
critters, and you're to steer clear Of
'em !"
Edmund forced laugh, as he repli-
ed:
"Trust me, uncle am dead to all
that kind of weakness !"
"Been bit, have you, hey chuckled
the old man.
81 am free to confess l have, and
am done with the sex called fair"
"Give us your hand on that, boy"
and down came the cane with unusual
emphasis.
The next outward bound steamer
conveyed away old Jeptha Podham and
his nephew, Edmund Latimer.
"As we haven't anybody to wave
handkerchiefs to, Ned, if you'll help
me down below, I'll turn in and get
some rest |" said the old man, as they
steamed out of the harbor.
Accordingly the old gentleman did
not zee any Of the passengers until the
next day. Then, as he was taking a
turn on the deck, leaning upon the arm
of his nephew, he ran against tall,
gaunt man, in an invalid chair, whose
servant was attempting to make him
comfortable by winding him up in in.
Vulnerable wraps
"Zounds my foot !" exclaimed Pod
ham. "Why, bless my soul, if it isn't
Martin Dinsmore !" and the next in
stant the two were shaking hands, amid
CALCULATIONS and questions without
number.
"Are you alone, Martin 7" was asked
"No, Jeptha: Rosa and her maid
are with me"
"You don't say little Rosa is here
she and l are old lovers !" laughed
Podham.
eyes; / wanted her to come on
deck but she is seasick, and wouldn't" !"
"But she must !" exclaimed Padham.
"Here, Edmund, you 60 down and
bring the child up!"
His nephew at once went below, and
to his amazement, found a lovely young
lady, heavy eyed and pale, curled up
on a sofa, her maid bathing her golden
head with cologne. The situation was
extremely awkward for Edmund but
he managed to introduce himself; and,
with the assistance of her fathers valet,
soon made her comprehend the state Of
affairs on deck, and the mandate of her
old friend Podham.
She signified her willingness to be
transported; and robed in soft furs
and shawls, she leaned upon the arm of
Latimer and assembled to the deck
the valet and maid following with arm
fuls of cushions.
"Bless my SOUL" exclaimed Podham ;
"this isn't the child that sailed with ME
down the Nile four years ago? Why
didn't you stay little? you know I hate
young ladiesl'
Nevertheless you won't hate me for
the sake of auld lang syne,' she an.
swered, with a pretty laugh and smil
ing blue eyes. "But you must put me
down somewhere, for my poor head
Iswims about like top"
| The old fellow gallantly placed hel
in sheltered position, amid her cush
ions, and sat down beside her, to gos
sip of old times, with his friend Martin
in close proximity, where he could now
and then put in word between his
paroxisms of coughing while Edmund
lounged at little distance, in grace
full attitude, smoking his cigar and
musing
The two old men, Podham and Dins
more, talked of their boyhood days
OF their early manhood and their
plans for the future-while the sun
tipped lashes dropped over the azure
eyes, as the golden head rested upor
the soft cushions in unconscious slum
ber and as Edmund sauntered b,
them, he took in the pictured lovelines.
of the girl, as one would gem o.
some art collection.
"Five years ago" he thought, SIN,
heart would have warmed at the sigh
OF such innocence and beauty; bu
now | can safely say, that, even if i
were honorable in me to think of sucl
thing, am proof against ever,
charm
After long discussion of their plans
it was agreed by the old gentlemen
that their parties should travel together
and, for the sake of the consumptiv
Dinsmore,spend the summer in France
winter in Egypt, and again try tn
boat life on the Nile.
| Accordingly Edmund found enough
of care to occupy his entire time an,
attention--the helplessness of the tw,
old men, a delicate female, the tw,
Wallets, and the lady's maid,
| AS they journed from point to point
Edmund frequently received dispatche
from home, and Rosa noticed that, in
stead of cheering him, they produces
fits of melancholy, which old Podhau
designated as ''the dumps"
Upon one occasion, while waiting a
Alexandria for the proper outfit 70
their journey, a letter came; and to
the remainder OF the day Edmund wa
silent and sad and though he pilote
the party upon round of sightseeing
: aud bore patiently the irritability {
his nncle, and the delays caused by tn
feebleness of Mr.. Dinsmore, yet he wa
preoccupied and reserved His manne
toward Rosa was courteous and ofte
genial, but seemingly devoid of a
sentiment much to the delight of uncl