Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-08-28
UNCLE PHILO.

"From Uncle Philow said Jenny San
ford, in tone of CONSERVATION, staring
at the signature of the letter she held.
"By Jove" her brother Tom eiacu-
lated, and emitted long whistle, ex-
pressive of deep astonishment.
Whats up?" said John Barry, from
the doorway.
John was not one of the household,
but being engaged to Jenny, he was
nearly always on hand.
Hes coming" said Jenny, sinking
into chair despairingly.
ooh, by Jove!" said Tom again, with
a horritied intonation.
"You don't seem fond of himn John
observed.
Fond of him2" Jenny repeated.
1--WE detest him! Haven't we ever told
you about him? He's the bane of our
lives. You know when grandfather
died, he left most of his property
to father-this house among the rest.
10 Uncle Philo Che lives away off in
Dalton; Tom and l have never seen
him)-to Uncle Philo, who is worth.
nobody knows how much-father saws
he is the richest man in the countv-he
left only thousand dollars, Just a me-
mento. Of course he was right: Uncle
Phllo didn't need the money, and father
did. But Uncle Philo wasn't satisfied. +"
Jenny's blue eyes burned with indipna-
tion. Gle wouldn't touch the thous-
and dollars; he wouldn't even come to
poor grandfather's funeral; he declared
ne was going to contest the will. Why
he didn't was mystery to us. Father
says he is dreadfully determined man.
But this explains it." Jenny turned to
the letter with quivering lips. "He's
simply been taking his time about it.
and settling his affairs so he can leave
them safely; and now he's coming out
here-he states it boldly-to look at the
place, and see whether it will be worth
his while to contest the will. He's a
wretch!"
Jenny's feelings overpowered her.
She pulled dainty handkerchief from
her pocket and sobbed into it-Tom and
her fancee looking on compassionately.
She was not given to such outbursts -
she, who had been dignifed little wo-
man ever since she was fourteen, filing
her dead mothers place with absolute
perfection.
'Tm glad poor fathers away" she
said at last, raising her blonde head.
He'd be dreadfully worried"
'1t's a plagued shame!' said John,
nergetically-restraining desire to use
a stronger adjective.
"Ill thrash him within an inch of his
life if he comes here!" Tom declared. !.
"No; watt" he added, with something
of a grin-'I'll introduce him to Mr..
Dobbin. That will settle himm
'Mr Dobbin2" said Jenny.
"He's man that's selling lightning
rods in town." Tom explained. 'He
button-holcd me yesterday, and got an
order out of me before l knew it, He's
got the longest tongue of any man
ever saw. You can't get away from him.
I'll present our beloved Uncle Philo, and
he'll go back to Dalton on the next train
Dobbin's coming this afternoon to put
up the rods, Jenny. Don't get him
started to talk, warn you
Jenny smiled through her tears.
iOu II o'uJ W ulHuClJ JOuuE hil0
said, more cheerfully, and vanished into
the kitchen.
So absorbing was the preparation of
dinner so entire her success-Jenny was
born cook-and so gratifying were the
praises which Tom and her future lord
had showered upon it. that Uncle Philo
and the danger which threatened them
were almost forpotten
But as she stood in the doorway and
watched their departure together-Tom
and his prospective brother-in law were
clerks in the same oiice-she felt her in
dignation returning.
How contemplate, in the hardness OF
his mercenary heart, and the meanness
of his motives, was this man who pro-
posed to rob them of their homel
He, with his houses and his lands, his
stocks and his bonds; while her fathers
struggle through life had always been a
hard one, and her grandiather's bequest
had been unspeakably welcome to him.
Was not the difference great enough
now2
Jenny went back to her dishes, with
one small hand unconsciously clenched.