The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-08
A SITUATION.
IPhi,scelnbia CALL


''Well, girls'' said my Uncle Barnabas,
land now what do you propose to do about
itr'
We sat around the fire in : disconsols'e
semi-circle that dreary, drilling May night,
when the rain battered against the window
panes and the poor little dsfodils in the
borders shook and shlyered as IL they would
fain hide their golden heads once moro in
the mother soil. Ny mother, Eleanor and l.
Uncle Barnabas Berkelin sat in the middle
of the circle, erect, stiff and grim. He was
stout and short, with grizzled mustache, a
little round bald spot on the crown OF HE
head, and two differing black eyes that
were always sending their dusky lightnlngs
in the direction least expected.
Uncle Barnabas was rich aud 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, If there was bad bar ain to be made,
We we're pretty sure to be the ones to make
ii. Consequently. and a. q matter OF course,
we looked up to Uncle Barnabas and rever-
enced his opinions.
what do we propose to do about it?r
Eleanor slowly repeated, lifting her besui-
full ielty br0ws.
"Yes, that's exactly it. said my mother
nervously; because, Brother BRrnabas, We
don't pretend 10 be business WON sn, aud its
certain we can't live comfortably on our
present income. Something has got TO be
cone"
at suppose your girls are educated" said
Uncle Barnsbes. ~ know l found enough
old school pills when 1 WAS looking over my
| brothers papers"
"Of course" said my mother, with evident
pride; "their education has bsen most
expensive. Music, drawing, use Of the
| globes"
Eyes, yes; of course" interrupted Uac'e
FsInabas. But is it practical? Gan they
| teRchP'
Eleanor looked dubious. was quite Ger.
| tain that l could not. Madame Lenoir,
amid all her list OF accomplishments, had
not included the art of prsctical tuition.
"Humphr' gIunted Uncle Barnabas.
Queer things, this modern idea Of educa-
ton. Well, well, il you can't teach you can
surely do something. What DO you say,
Eleanor, 10 q situationY
- situation2p
The color futtered in Elesnor's cheeks
like pink and white apple blossoms.
81 spoke plain enough, didn't I?' said
| Uncle BArnsbss dTyly. Eyes, situation"
"What sort Of situation, Uncle Barna'
bas?"
"Wen. I can hardly say. Part servant
part companion to an elderly LADY" ex-
planned the old gentleman.
80. Uncle Barnsbas, I couldn't do that"
$50 you went take the situation, eh?'
said Uncle BaTnabas, starting up at wisby-
wsshy little water color drawing o. Clpid
aud Psyche, an exhibition piece" OF poor
E,esnors, which hung above the chimney
piece.
II couldn't ineed, sir"
Sorry" said he. Sister Rachel 10 my
mother, ''Thst do You ssy?r
Ny mother drew her pretty little figure up
8 trife more erect than ususl.
II think my daughter Eleanor is quite
right" said she. "The Berkelins have al.
ways been ladies'"
had sat quite silent, with my chin in my
hands, during all this family discussion, but
now rose up and came 70 Uncle Barnabas'
well, little susy," said the cid gentle.
man, laying his hand kindly On my wrist,
what is it,"
"If YOU please, Uncle Barnsbas." said I,
with q rapidly thr0bhiug heart, ~ would Ike
to take the situation"
Bravo" cried Uncle Bsrnabas.
my dear chid!" exclaimed my mother.
"Susannahl" uttered Eleanor, in accents
by u means laudetory.
Yes" said I. twenty-five dollars 3
month is great deal OF money, and 1 never
IVES afraid of work I think | will 20 to the
old lady, Uncle Barnabss. I'm sure I could
send home at least $40 a month to mother
and Eleanor and then the two weeks spring
and fsll, would be so NIGEL Please, Uncle
Barnsbss, I'll 60 back with you when you
20. What is the old lady's nsmsH
"Her name?" said Uncle Barnsbas
didn't I tell you? It's Prudence-Mrs,
Prudence"
What nice name!n said I. 81 know !
shall like her"
We'll, think you will" said Uncle Bar
nabss, looking kindly at me. "And think
she v i'll like you. Is it q bargain for the
o'clock train tomorrow morniDg2"
'Yes," l answered, stcutly, taking care not
| -. =, l. s,.t h. ct ~ Il
But after he had g1ns to bed in the bss
chamber, where the rufflsd pillow cafes were.
and the ohintz covered easy chair, the full
strength Of the family tongue broke on my
devoted head.
So the next morning set out for the IN.
known bourn Of New York life.
We took q hack at the depot and drove
through so many streets that my head spun
| around and around like teetotum before
We stopped at pretty brown stone mansion
1t looked like q pslsce to my unaccustomed
eyes-snd Uncle Bsrnsbas helped me out.
Here is where Mrs. Prudence lives" said
be with q chuckle.
A neat little maid, with frilled white
apron and rose colored ribbons in her hair,
opened the door with a courtesy, and was
conducted into an elegant apartment al
gliding exotics snd blue satin damask, when
| q plump old lady dressed in black silk with
l
and wrists, came smiling forward like 9
s;xty year-old sunbeam.
$50 you've come back, Barnabas, have
yeu?' said she. ''And brought one OF the
dear girls with you. Come and kiss me, my
dear"
Yes, Susy. kiss your aunt" said Uncle
BaTnabas, finging his hat one way and his
gloves another, as he sst c3mplacsntly down
on the sofa.
MY sunt?" ! echoed.
why, of course" said the plump old
lsdy. Don't you know? I'm your Aunt
Pru dence."
"But I thought" / gssped in pewilder
ment that was coming to situation"
well, so you are" Ietorted Uncle Barns
bss. "The situation of adopted daughter in
my family. Twenty-Five dollars a month
pocket money, the care OF Aunt Prudence
cat and canary, and TO make yourself gsner.
ally useful"