The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-03-05

old man, and draw O pitcher o. cider, and
I'll go up stairs for some o. them butternuts,
and we'll have good, old-fashioned even.
mr.
But presently the old man came down
stairs with a face as gray as ashes.
Malyiny," said he, in a voice that shook
strangely, where where's the little wood
stove that used to set in the northeast cor
Ger of the garnet ?"
% What, that old useless consarn ~ said
the Widow Watkins, who had been bring
ing some blown-gla tumblers for the cider.
why, sold it for old iron to man With
junk wagon. got twenty-seven cents foi
it-and Elsie said il wasn't no more use,
since its foundation cracked clean across,
and the pipe rusted through in holes
But-but there was some papers stuffed
inside it," stammered Mr.. Rossiter
"Oh yes" said Mrs. Watkins, !" burn
ed EN- to kindle FIRE under the wash-ket-
tie" HN
Burned them" Uncle Reuben let his
head fall hopelessly between his hands on
the table. Malviny, Malviay, you've
burned up everything Pye got in the
world |"
Reuben, what on earth do yeu mean 2"
screamed her sister, nearly upsetting tie
cider pitcher in her panic.
But all that the old man could utter WAS
My bonds My bonds! My ten
thousand dollars All burned up-all
gone,"
When Elsie came home from Squire Por-
trays, at eleven o'clock, (people out in these
quiet country regions did not follow the
example of their dissipated city friends),
che found Uncle Reuben stamping about
the floor and tearing his hair like Edwin
Forrest in g King Lear" while Mrs. Wat
kins sat helplessly weeping in the corner,
and the cider was unquafed, neither were
the.brown- jacketed butternuts cracked.
Dear me! Uncle and aunt, what's the
matter ?" said Elsie, looking in amazement
from one to the other.
!" Pm ruined I" shouted Uncle Reuben
"That's what's the matter ~
I've be-been and bu-burned up your
uncle's bo-bonds !" faltered Aunt Watkins
ututuQ ucf Ohf
dear oh, dear what shall ever do ?"
For q minute Elsie looked uneompre-
hendingly at them, and then she understood
the state of affairs all in fash
Don't fret, Uncle Reuben said she,
consolingly. 1.-THE bonds aren't burned ut
ALL Don't cry, Aunt Watkins. There isn't
any harm donen
What ?'' beloved Uncle Reuben, more
in the King Lear strain than ever Tit
bonds not burned ?"
No. said Elsie, IS found them when
was cleaning out ths old stove. And put
them safely in the top drawer of the old
mahogany bureau in the spare room. But
If hadn't been there, Aunt Watkins would
most certainly have burned them, without
knowing what they were. Uncle, dear, do
promise me that, hereafter, you viii deposit
them in the bank
"I will, said Uncle Reuben, hoarsely,
'tyes, will, Elsie. Come here and kiss
me, child. You've saved my little all; l
declare, you've got more sense than ever l
gave you credit for"
"Come here and kiss me, Elsie croaked
Aunt Watkins. 81 never should ha' held
up my head again if I'd burned your uncles
bonds into dust and ashes"
The next morning, just as soon Ms the
sun rose redly above the frozen hills, Uncle
Reuben ate his breakfast, harnessed up old
Dobbin, and, with the government bonds
safely buttoned under his coat pocket, drove
over to the nearest county bank and formal
ly deposited them. When he came home
Elsie was chopping apples for mince meat
in the kitchen He threw bundle towards
her. Eg
Catch !" said he, with chuckle.
What is it, uncle ?" said Elsie, unrolling
the parcel. "Oh 1 declare IA garnet
cashmere dress Oh, uncle what lovely
color And how good it is of You to buy it
for me !" ss.a w sfrsfsf .rl.f
you've saved me more than that, my
lear said Uncle Reuben; "and l only
wish I'd taken your advice before"
Which was good deal for Uncle Reuben
fsosster to say for the man never yet lived
who likes to confess that he has been in the
wrong.-Amy Randolph.
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