The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-09-19
takes sides with YOU against me-"

In the evening Squire Graves made a
friendly call. Mrs. Dykes was very glad to
see him, for he had lady's horse TO sell 1t
was just the animal she wanted, and as she
had conquered her husband once that day,
she intended to have the horse trade settled
that evening
"Glad to see you, Squire; anything new ?'
the young merchant began, doing the usual
common. places
There is news, but suppose you have
heard it," replied the visitor.
II haven't heard anything; what is it?"
Haven't you heard that Tinkham has been
attached ?"
"Tinkham Is it possible ?" exclaimed Mr..
Dykes, glancing at his wife.
tits fact; n keeper was put in his store
this afternoon, and an attachment put on
his horses and carriages"
THAT was all because he kept two horses
when one was enough for him." interposed
Mrs, Dykes.
With her the moral was between two
horses and one.
Before the squire left he had sold his lady s
horse. Mrs Dykes was perfectly happy, and
her heart began to warm even toward poor
Uncle Phil. When the retired shipmaster
came in from the meeting, there were 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 morning Squire
Graves man led the horse over and put him
in the stable One of the clerks was to take
care of him. Uncle Phil saw the purchase
but he said nothing unpleasant. He looked
the animal over, said he was worth the hum
dred dollars to be paid for him in goods from
the store Marian even thought she liked
Uncle Phil then He did not prophecy 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 second time,
but with no better result. Uncle Phil evil
| IDENTIFY did not hear the bell tor he never kept
| the table waiting for him. The door was
wide open, and she went in The shipmaster
| was not there. His trunk was not there; the
picture of the Seabird, in which he had sailed
| many voyage, had been taken from the
wall.
Was it possible that Uncle Phil had gone
without even saying goodbye to them
There was letter on the table. 1t was ad-
dressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dykes"
With the letter in her hand she FASTENED down
to the dinner-room. To say that she was as
tonshed and chagrincd, would not half ex-
press her feeling
OuCIc L iii HAS gone she eACldll1leu.
"He has left for good, bag and baggage" She
tossed the letter upon the table, for she had
not the courage to open it.
"Ihen l suppose you are quite satisfied,
Marian. You have got the horse, and got rid
of Uncle Phil" said Mr.. Dykes, greatly grev-
ed to learn that the worthy man had gone
and he saw that he must have heard the inn
pulsive words of Mrs Dykes the evening be.
fore.
Mrs Dykes dropped into her chair at the
table, and burst into tears. Just as she had
become reconciled to the boarder, he had fed
without even aword of explanation. She in
tended to treat him with the utmost kindness
and consideration, as noble warrior treats a
fallen foe. Just then she felt as though she
would be willing to lose the horse to regain
Uncle Phil.
Charles opened the letter. 1t was very
short, but there was not u particle of bitter.
ness in it. He should still pray for them, and
desired to do all he could to serve and make
them happy.
81 will go to him and beg him to come
back, Charles p exclaimed the weeping wife.
"You will never forgive me-"
81 am very sorry he has gone, but l 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 10
see them, and there was not particle of
change in his tone or manner. Both Charles
and his wife tried TO say something about his
leaving their house but he headed them off
every time. He would not permit the matter
to be mentioned. 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 acknowledge it. His |
good influence upon both was lost. Even
Charles became reckless in his finances
The close of Tinkham's store brought more
business to the young merchant for time,
though the bankrupt's successor soon made |
things exciting for him. A ruinous competi- |
ton followed. No longer restrained by I'm |
Gle Pills prudent counsels, Charles branched |
out and grasped more than he could handle. |
At the end of the year the balance sheet |
was not pleasing to look upon. Then fol- |
lowed reckless attempt to recover lost |
ground. Notes at the Tripleton Bank be. |
came very troublesome. One of them was |
given for new piano. People said Dykes |
was living too fast The young merchant was |
worried. He had yielded 10 one extrava-
gance and there was long train behind it,
His next balance-shcet showed that he was |
three thousand dollars in debt, and his stock |
was not worth half the sum. He saw that he |
his wife all about it. 1t would be terrible |
humiliation to fail, as Tinkham had and |
poor Marian wept as though her heart would |
break.
In the midst of the scene Uncle Phil walked |
into the room, as he always did, without the |
ceremony of knocking. He often called
"Uncle Phil, am going to fail, for cannot |
pay note of four hundred dollars that falls |
due to. morrow" said Charles, bitterly, when
he saw that he could not conceal the facts |
from the good man.
How much do you owe in all, Charles ?"
asked Uncle Phil.
about three thousand dollars" groaned
Charles.
will three thousand put you on your feet,
solid?"
Yes, sir; but can't raise three hundred" |
81 will give you check for three thousand |
in the morning | will be at the store at |
eight O'Clock. notice that you have looked |
worried lately; but you said nothing TO me-"
81 could not say anything to you, uncle
and cannot take your money, after what
has happened"
Nothing has happened yet. and with the
blessing of God, nothing shall happen"
Uncle Phil would not understand him.
"You may help me on one condition" add.
ed Charles, after some discussion. "And |
that is that you will come back and live with
u.s."
Marian Joined in insisting upon this con-
dition, and the good man yielded He used
no reproaches; he would not even say, ~
told you So" The note was paid the nextday.
and in the evening Uncle Phil was domiciled
in his old apartment, quite as happy as the
young people.
Charles sold the lady's horse, the buggy,
the piano, and other extras, and reduced all