Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-07-25
UNCLE AND NEPHEW.
BY ROSE HARTWICK THORPE.

Well, girls, Oak Lawn has q new
owner at last"
Mr.. Fairfax impaired this piece Of
interesting news as he reached for the
huge carving knife, and began vigor-
GUS assault upon a mammoth turkey.
whose brown body sent forth an appe.
tizing odor.
"Oh, how perfectly splendid that will
be!' cried Miss Agnes, gushing]y, as
she clasped her white hands in rapture.
"Of course they are very rich, or they
could not afford to purchase Oak Lawn.
Mamma, we must call on them as soon
as it is proper"
"Certainly, my love-" said mamma
YEARLY.
"Do you suppose there will be any
young gentlemen, papa ?" asked Mabel,
with counterfeit shyness.
"Or girls?" questioned Lille, before
MIR. Fairfax could answer Mable's ques-
ton. II do so dote on dear girl
friends, and there are none in the vii
lage whom care to become intimate
with"
"Humph!" said Mr.. Fairfax, unfeel.
ingly: ~ guess it wouldn't hurt you if
Swell, l think it's downright
shame!" cried Pet, tossing her brown
head Indignantly. "We've taken such
comfort at Oak Lawn-Rover and l. and
now it's sold just as spring is coming
on. Papa, If we're so much better and
richer than other folks about here, WHY
don't we have lawn OF our own q"
eve are not rich, puss," said Mr..
Fairfax, fondly. GIN fact it is hard
struggle for us to keep up appearances,
as mother calls it."
"Philip, I'm surprised that you have
the indiscretion to speak in such 4 way
in the presence Of your daughters" said
Mrs. Fairfax severely.
81 know it's bitter pill. mother. but
they IL have to take it down one of these
days, and they may as we'll be prepared
for it..
Mot necessarily" answered Mrs.
Fairfax. ':They may be all settled in
beautiful homes of theirown in less than
a year"
You'll have to be more successful
than you have ever been yet if they
are, he returned, good-naturedly. II
believe that you have been trying for
the last thirty years to get one of your
daughters married to fortune, and -"
"Oh, papa, how cruel Of you'll"
eobbed Miss Agnes. "One would think
l was so old to hear you talk, and I am
sure / won't be thirty for ever go many
years."
If you can not keep track of the
children g ages, wish you would keep
silent about them," said Mrs. Fairfax,
sternly.
Mr.. Fairfax fdgeted aneasily in his
chair; he was always getting into trouble
about the girls agee; but Pet usually
came to his assistance.
"You say that Oak Lawn has been
sold, papa? "she said. s'Tell us some
thing about the people who have bought
it."
"The gentleman's name is Dunlap.
He is bachelor, and he writes that his
nephew will accompany him to Oak
Lawn"
"a bachelor, did you say ?" asked
Mrs. Fairfax, quickly, the cloud lifting
from her face and sudden, hopeful ex-
preston coming in its place.
"Yes," said Mr.. Fairfax, smiling:
and the nephew is bachelor, too.
At least, he is unmarried!"
"Oh, who cares for the nephew!" ex.
claimed Mabel. "He doesn't own Oak
Lawn"
Girls finish your dinner as soon az
possible and come into the back parlor."
said Mrs. Fairfax, excitedly. II want
to talk over the matter with you and plan
some new spring suits for you. Every
thing depends on a favorable first i'm
preston, you know"
MI: Fairfax groaned audibly at the
prospect OF three or four new spring Co.'S
tunes and the attendant expenses.
He hoped in his inmost heart. that his
wife would be more fortunate this time
than in her former schemes. and he was
wicked enough to mutter that he wish ed
Mr.. Dunlap was q Mormon. and wonlG
marry the whole pack, with the excep-
ton OF little Pet. He would like to keep
her himself.
Meanwhile, Pet-who had once had
another name; but everybody, even
herself, seemed to have FORGOTTEN
!t-called Rover, and away they went to
have one last good time in the beautiful
lawn before those "horrid men " came
to spoil the fun.
At length Mr.. Dunlap and his nephev
arrived, and were duly introduced to;
Mrs. Fairfaxs charming circle of mar
riageable daughters. .. 81 -
They clustered about the elder Mr.:
dunlap in most bew;ldering manner.
mat Is, three of the Misses Fairfax did:
tne fourth, Miss Pet, was thoroughly
Disguised with her sisters apparent fack
OF courtesy and good breeding. IA leay-
ing the younger, and by far the most
gentlemanly appearing Mr.. Dunlap to
entertain himself as best he might,
" Wouldnt you like to zee my roses ~
asked Pet, Of this forlorn gentleman,