The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-10-09
LEARNING a LESSON.


Uncle Black was the parsonage of whom
they spoke-a Grabbed, ill-tempered, little
old man-who lived in suburban old coun-
try seat among the Catskils.
He had money to leave, but his nieces
and nephews secretly believed that it
would be a good deal easier to 90 to
California or Golconda, or some OF the
fabulous places, and dig fortunes out.
nugget by nugget, than TO stay AZ home
and earn them by making themselves ac-
ceptable to an old gentleman who had as
many angles as Il rose diamond, and as
many prickly spikes of temper as a porcn-
pine.
Naomi Darkridge bad tried it first.
Naomi was a solt-voiced, slender girl
with a head which reminded one of
dropping lily.
No one can help loving Naomi" said
Mrs. Darkridge, as she kissed her daugh-
ter goodbye.
But in three weeks Naomi came back,
half frightened out of her wits
$ he scold> so dreadtully," said Naomi
"And he looks at me as the wolf must
have looked at Little Red Riding Hood
ON, mamma, | couldn't stay there not if
| was to be made richer than Miss Bur
dett-Coutts herself
Magdalena Darkridge went next; but
Madalena, although fine, tall girl, with
spirit OF her own, was cowed by Uncle
Blacks savage eyes in less than a week.
I'D sooner sweep crossings for a liv
ing said she, than to be Uncle Black
helress.'
And so she came home without loss Of
time.
Rhoda Darkridge, in no wise abashed
by the successful failures of her sisters
was the third one to try Black Grange
and its possibilities. But she also sue
cumbed before the terrible scourge OF
Uncle Blacks savage tongue.
Its scold, snarl, snarl, scold, from
morning till night" said Rhoda, as in
three days time she tearfully related her
experience to her parents "Oh, you
don't know-nobody can know-what a
dreadful man Tnclc Black is:
"Oh, hang the old scamp" said Mr..
Darkridge, who was OF tree and easy
nature, and thought his girls great deal
too sweet and nice to be snarled at by
anv rich old mser " Let him alone. Ny
daughters needn't 90 begging for any
mans money"
But here Joscelind, the Youngest, tall
est, and prettiest of the four girls, spoke
up:
"rll go said she
Ion don't know what you are under
taking" said Naomi, with a shudder
"He'd wear out stone, said Magda-
lena.
He's ghoul :" shuddered Rhoda.
6 can get along with him, am very
sure" said Joscelind, blithely
And she packed up her little trunk, and
went to Black Grange.
1t was sunset-a red, flaming sunset,
like one of Gitford's pictures-when she
came up the terraced flight of steps that
led to the house. Everything blushed
blood-red in the deep light, and Joscelind
could see how lovely was the scenery;
how substantial this old gray house, with
its square towers and semi-circular, colon
naded porch. Uncle Black stood on the
steps, in wig and black silk stockings,
surmounted by huge silver buckles.
$50 YOU are Joscelind 2" said Uncle
Black, surveying her with little twinkling
eyes, like glass beads.
" Yes, am Joscelind," )" said the bright
checked girl, giving him a kiss.
"You're late !" said Uncle Black
II am late" said Joscelind. Il thought
the old beast of stage never would have
got here The horses fairly crept and the
roads were horrid."
Its a dreadtully warm dav," growled
Uncle Black.
'sI'm almost roasted" sighed Joscelind.
"The whole summer has been lntOlera-
bly, warm said the old gentleman.
"We might as well be in the tropics
and be done with it, retorted Joscelind,
finging off her shawl, and tanning her
self vehemently.
Uuce Black gave her the keys that
night, just as he had three times before
given them to her three sisters.
81 shall expect you to take charge of
the whole establishment, said he. "The
servants are miserable
"No more than one might expect" in
terrupted Josceind, with depreciatory
motion of the hand Servants are mere
frauds nowadays
"And nothing goes right about the
place"
Nothing ever does " said Joscelind.
Uncle Black eyed her queerly. This
was quite different from the determined
cheerfulness and systematic good spirits
of her three sisters.
At breakfast, next morning, Uncle
Black began to scold, as usual.
"Fish again !" said he. "This makes
four mornings this week we've had fish,"
"I detest fish, said Joscelind, push
ing away her plate with a grimace.
SsAnd the rolls heavy again !" growled
Uncle Black, breaking one open.
"Please give me the plate, Uncle
Black" said Joscelind, and she rang the
table bell sharply.
Betty, the cook, stout, good hu-
mored Irish woman, made her appearance.
"Betty," said Miss Darkridge, be so
good as to throw these rolls out of the
window"
Betty started.
"Do you hear what l tell you ?" said
Miss Darkridge, with emphasis.
And Betty flung the rolls out among
the rose bushes, where they were speed
ily deyoured by Cato, the Newfoundland
Al.