Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-24
Gales a1rb Sketfbes.
CoSQuERIyG A HUSBAND.
Continued from yesterday. }


lady's iorse. Mrs. Dykes was perfectly
happy, and her heart began to warm to-
wards poor uncle Phil. When the retired
shipmaster came in from the meeting.
there we're dozen things she wanted to
DO for his comfort. The lady had beaten
her husband and his uncle, and she was
satisfied.
Before breakfast the next mOrnir E
SQUIRE Graves man led the horse over
and put him into the little stable. One of
the clerks was to t,ke care Of him. Uncle
Phil saw the purchase but he said nothing
unpleasant He looked the animal over.
and said he was sound and worth the hun
bred dollars to be paid for him in goods
from the store. Marian even thought ste
liked uncle Phil then. He did not prophesy
any evil or disaster.
After breakfast the lady thought she
would drive over to her fathers, in the
next town.
She returned in season for dinner.
But uncle Phil did not come down to
that meal. The lady rang the bell sec
ond time. but with no better result. Uncle
Phil evidently did not hear the bell. for he
never kept the table waiting for him.
Mrs. DYKES went up to his room to call him.
ne tDOr WAS Wiuc opCb, hhu Sh~ "N'e
in. The shipmaster was not there. His
trunk was not there; the picture Of the
Seabrd, in which he had sailed many
VOYAGE. had been taken from the wall.
Was il possible that uncle Phil had gone
without even saying good-by to them ?
There was letter on the table. Ii was
addressed to Mr.. and Mrs Charles
DYKES With the letter in her hand she
81. To
say that she was astonished and chagrined
would not half express her feeling.
Uncle Phil has gone ~ she exclaimed.
"He has left for good, bag and baggage"
She tossed the letter upon the table, for
she had not the courage to open it,
Then suppose you are quite satisfied,
Marian You have got the horse and got
rid of uncle Phil" said Mr.. Dykes. great
lv grieved to learn that the worthy man
had gone and he saw that he must have
heard the impulsive words OF Mrs. Dykes
the evening before.
Mrs Dykes dropped into her chair at
the table, and burst into tears. Just as
she had become reconciled TO the boarder.
he had fled without even a word of expla-
nation. She intended to treat him with
the utmost kindness and consideration, as
a noble warrior treats a fallen foe. Just
then she felt as though she would be will
ing TO lose the horse to regain uncle Phil.
Charles opened the letter. 1t was very
short, but there was not a particle OF bit
terness in it. He should still pray for
Them and desired to do all he could to
serve and make them happy.
III will go 10 him and beg him to come
back, Charles ~ exclaimed the weeping
wife. 'You will hate me for what have
done. You will never forgive me-
Il am very sorry he has gone, but !
will not hate you, Marian. We will call
upon him this evening at the hotel"
They did call. Uncle Phil was exactly
the same as he had been before. He was
glad to see them, and there was not
particle of change in his tone OF manner.
Both Charles and his wife tried to say
something about his leaving their house
but he headed them off every tine. He
would not permit the matter to be men,
toned. They went home. unable even to
get in an apology.
Both of them missed the kindly words
and wholesome advice of the good man,
though Mrs. Dykes would not acknowl
edge it. His good influence upon both
were lost. Even Charles became reck-
less IN his finances.
The closing of Tinkham's store brought
more business to the young merchant for
a time. though the bankrupt's successor
soon made things exciting for him. A
ruinous competition followed. No longer
restrained by uncle Pills prudent couns
sells Charles branched out, and grasped
more than he could handle.
At the end of the year the balance sheet
was not pleasant to look upon. Then
followed a reckless attempt to recover
lost ground. Notes at the Trippleton
Bank became troublesome. One of them
was given for a new piano. People said
Dykes was living too fast. The young
merchant was worried. He had Welded
TO one extravaganza and there was long
train behind it.
His next balance sheet showed that he
was three thousand dollars in debt. and
his stock was not worth halt that sum.
He saw that he must fail. After supper.
one evening. he told his wife all about it.
1t would be terrible humiliation to tail
as Tinkham had; and poor Marian wept
as though her heart would break
In the midst of this scene. uncle Phi
walked into The room. as he always did.
Nuu'ut Tue vi hHcthHS- It
often called.
Uncle Phil, am going to fail. for !
cannot pay note of four hundred dollars
that falls due tomorrow, said Charles
bitterly, when ne saw he could not conceal
the facts from the good man.
"How much do yon owe in all,
Charles ?" asked uncle Phil.
about three thousand dollars ~
groaned Charles.
"Will $4,000 put you on your feet,
solid ~
"Yes. sir but can't raise $500"
IL will give You check for $4,000 in
the morning. | will be at the store a;
eight O'Clock. | noticed that you have
looked worried lately; but you said moth
ing to me-
Il could not say anythingto you. uncle.
and cannot take your money after what
has happened"
Nothing has happened yet, and with
the blessing of God. nothing shall hap
pen"
Uncle Phil would not understand him
You may help me on one condition. -
added Charles. after some discussion
And that is. that you will come back and
live with u.s."