The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-10-23
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.


"Confound it all! This is a pretty
piece Of business. ] must say. Here /
am, just on the eve of my departure,
called upon to meet Jacks wife, escort
her to the Willows and see that she
enjoys herself during the summer
months. II Jack wasn't such q good
hearted fellow, and my favorite nephew
to boot. wouldn't do it. But, we'll
there; suppose I'll have 10 go down
to the city, make myself known to the
charming creature and do the gallant
for Jacks sake. Hang il all! Why
did the scamp marry some one ! did
not know? I'll give him piece of my
mind when he returns from Europe
for getting his bald-headed uncle into
this scrape."
The partly audible meditation from
the flaxen-haired chap was more forci-
BILE than choice. But then, it was only
one of John Harney's peculiar streaks.
If anyone had overheard him, that is,
one wholly acquainted with him. they
would not have paid overdue atten-
ton.
If there was one thing he delighted
in above all others, it was to pass for a
bald-headed adviser of youth. He took
every possible occasion to call himself
bald-headed; when, be the fact known.
the slight spot upon his bump of self
esteem was barely discernible, still, it
gave him deal of Importance to be
looked on as an ''old man." Strange,
too! His associates were all young
people. He was not favorite among
old people; yet, he called himself "old
and bald-headed.
1t was great shock to him when he
heard that Jack had gone and married
an opera singer, not because of any
disparity of social positions. He was
a sensible person in this wise, but be-
cause he had, in his mind, drawn up a
plan for Jack TO follow and abide by in
the future. His plans were all broken
and scattered when Jack married; his
plans are now all changed by Jacks
sudden departure. thereby necessitating
his, Johns, taking charge of the lady
for the summer. After some further
meditation over the subject, of course,
assisted by the fragrant aroma of CT
gar, he retired with his mind made up
to go 10 the city, introduce himself to
Jacks wife and bring her back to the
Willows.
1t was wonderful to note John Har.
ney's air of age-given Importance as
he stepped forward to greet the pretty
figure in travelling dress. lie had seen
many handsome women; they mad Gre
ated more or less of an impression
upon his heart. Yet. as he clasped the
tiny hand and ioohed down into the
honest blue eyes upturned to his, he
thought he had never met u more love-
ly woman in his life: and lie mentally
added, that Jack had shown rare
choice in loving ami wedding such a
paragon of female loneliness. Jack
writes me that am to escort you to
the Willows; take sole charge of you
and make your stay there rs pleasant
us possible" said John. beaming q
most uncle-like protection from every
feature of his fine face.
..D-did he say all thatp" softly asked
the little woman.
Eyes; and more too, the rattle
Drained scamp--but there; pardon me.
| forgot that l was speaking to the
lady of his preferment."
.'Preferment. fell like an echo from
the rcd lips.
Yes; lucky dog" responded John.
The latter part, however was softly
and aside according to stage parlance.
al shall be around with a cab at five.
Trust you will be ready" lie moved
by impulse and before the lady could
speak he was out of the room and
down the front steps.
Jack never said anything to me
about going to the Willows for the
season. The Willowsp Oh, yes. the
place where Jack was brought up. !
well, l will 60. He is very hand
some. But who is hep" This last
self-put question brought sudden
stop to the charming creatures mu-
sings. III he Is so Wei acquainted
with Jack his picture will. no doubt,
be in the album"
She went to the album. The second
face she gazed on was the gentleman's
in question. She slipped the card
from the page. Upon the back, writ
ten in plain. business hand she read:
Your Bald-Headed Uncle"
"Bald-headed! 1t must be Joke
He isn't SO old as all that. jack
uncle! I'll 60 to the Willows. Per-
haps it will not be such prosy season
after all. But why did he speak of
me as the lady of Jacks preferment,
wonderp'
When John Harvey called at five
with a cab. the lady's trunk was ready,
and she stood in the parlor with hat
already adjusted, pulling on her
gloves.
II beg your pardon" said she, turn
ing her bright face toward John, ''but
a person generally likes to know the
name of a fellow travelling compan-
ion"
"Why, what have been thinking of
all this timer TO be sure; you are
quite right. | am your uncle" fell
blandly from his lips.
"Oh, you areP"
Eyes. Are you quite ready" asked
he.
Quite ready" she replied as she
followed John to the cab. The trunk
was put in place, and the pair were
soon whirled to the depot. The ride
by rail was so pleasant. the lady,
Jacks wife. was such an agreeable
companion, that John Harvey would
have extended the journey il he could.
The prosy. country depot was reached,
where plain, democrat wagon await
ed them. Then the drive followed; q
delightful five miles along sweet. scent-
cd clover fields and moonlighted
streams. Finally the Willows is reach
ed, o rambling farmhouse upon the
bank OF smoothly flowing river with
long double rows of willows ranged up
and down the stream.
''There. that JOB Is over and of my
hands," muttored John Harvey as he
lgntsd cigar and fell back In his easy
chair.