The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-04
A SITUATION.

panes and the poor little dafodils III the
borders shook aud shiYered as IL they would
fain hide their golden heads once more in
abe mother soil. Ny mother, Eleanor and l.
Uatle Barnabas Bsrkelin sat in the middle
of the circle, erect, stiff and grim. He was
stout and short with grizzled mustache,
little round bald spot on the crown of his
head, and two Rlittering black eyes that
we're always sending their dusky lightnings
in the direction least expected.
Uncle Barnahas was rich and we were
poor. Uucle Barnabas was wise in the ways
Of the world. and we were inexperienced.
Uncle Bsrnabas was prosperous IN all he did,
while, II there was bad bargain TO be made,
we were pretty sure to be the oaes to make
il. Consequently. and % a matter of course,
We looked up to Uncle Barnabas and reyer-
eDced his opinions.
What do we propose to do about it,
Eleanor slowly repeated, lifting her beauti-
full jetty brsws.
Yes hats exactly It," said my mother
nervously; because. Brother Barnabas, We
don't pretend TO be business women, and its
certain We can't live comfortably on our
present income. Something has got to be
DONE"
Il surpose your girls are educated" said
Uncle Bsrnabap. II knos found enough
old school bills when l WAS looking over my
brothers papers"
"oi course," taid rny mother with evident
pride their education has been most
expensive. Music. drawing, use OF the
Eyes, yes; Of course" interrupted Uncle
Baruabaa "But Is II practical2 Gan they
tesohr'
Eleanor looked dubious was quite Ger.
tain that 1 could not. Madame Lenoir,
amid all her list OF mpithments had
not included the ART of prsctioal tuition.
"HumphW grunted Unole Barnabas.
queer things, this modern idea OF eduea.
surely do something. What DO you say,
Elcabor, 10 n situation9'
"A situntionf'
The color nuttered In Eleanor's cheeks
like pink and white apple blossoms.
81 spoke plain enough, didn't II" said
Uncle liafnabas. dryly. Yes a situation
basg"
"well. / can hardly uay. Part servant.
part companion TO an elderly lady" ex'
planned the cid gentleman,
30. Uncle Barnahaa, | cGuldn't do that
go 3ou went take the situation, oh 2"
said unela Hnrnahaa, starting up az wahy.
washy little water color drawing OF Cupid
aud ps3ule. IN eexhibiti1n pieten OF poor
Eleanof's. which hung above the chimney
piece,
II couldn't inesd, air.
"eorry," rald he, Blister Rachel, 10 my
ne her what do YOU az
My mother drew her pfntty little agurs up
n ifins more erect than usual,
II lhlhk my dhnehief Eleanor Ia quite
right said che The heIkelna have al
Ways been ladies'
Had sat quite silent with my CHA In my
hands, dnFine all this family diseusaon, but
now l 1859 up aud came 10 unela liaFnabaa'
flde.
well, little Ausy,n said the old gentle.
man, LAYING his hand kindly on my wrist
what Is it|
III you please unole Barnshas. +" said /,
with Fapdly'throbbing heart, ~ would like
90 take the situation
Bravo" cried Uncla Rarnabas,
My dear ehlldw exclaimed my mother.
''susannahn uttered Eleanor, In accents
Yes" said /. twenty-five dollars a
month Is great deal OF money, aud never
was afraid of work. think will 20 TO the
Old lady, Uncle Barnabas I'm sure | could
send home at least $50 9 month 10 mother
and Eleanor, and then the two weeks, spring
and fall, would be so nice Please, Uncle
Bsrnabas. I'll go back with you when you
20. What Is the old lady's namer
"Hez name" Raid Uncle Barnabas.
Didn't tell youl It's Pfudence-Mrs.
What nice namel" said /. II know /
shall like her."
We'll, think ycu will" said Uncle Bar.
nabGs. Iooklrg kin dly at me. "And think
y
o'clock train tomorrow morning.
YES" answered, stoutly, taking care not
to look IN the direction of my mother and
Eleanor.
But after he had gone TO bed In the best
chamber. where the RULED pillow cases were,
and the chintz covered easy chair, the full
strength OF the family tongue broke on my
devoted head.
So the next morning I set out for the IN
known bourn of New York life.
We took hack at the depot aud drove
through so many streets that my head spun
around and around like teetotum before
we stopped at pretty brown stone mansion
lit looked like palace TO my unaccustomed
eyes-snd Uncle Barnabas helped me out.
Here is where Mrs. Prudence lives" sai6
he with q chuckle.
A neat little maid, with q frilled white
apron and rose colored ribbons in her hair
opened the door with q courtesy, and wa
conducted into an elegant apartment al
gliding. exotics and blue satin damask, wheI
plump old lady dressed In black silk, witt
the loveIiest Valenciennss lace at her throa
and wrists, came smiling forward like |
sixty yesr-old sunbeam.
$50 you've come back, Barnabas, have
yeuy' said she. And brought one OF thu
dear girls with you Come and kss me- my
DEAR"
"Yes. Sissy. kiss your aunt" said Unc
Barnsoas. fiDging his hat one way and his
gloves another. as be sat c3mplacently dowr
on the sofa.
MY aunt?' 1 echoed
why. Of course" said tho plump Ole
Lady. Don't you know9 I'm your Aun
Pru depce"
But | thought" I gasped in Dswilder