The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-10-08

working, " said she. but I cou,dn',
stay here, away from you. Il you ell
go, why, 90 will II
Then, went on Saba, I've laid up
SIX dollars toward winter cloak.
Uncle John wants it more than I do.
Ill keep it for him.
There Is my ten dollars in the
savings bank, y added Helen. II did
want pair of thick boots and q warm
winter shawl. But If Uncle John is
really in need
II haven't saved any money!" said
little Kate, sOrr0wfully. How could
with my wages of two dollars q week.
But l will do all 1 can to help
'You are dear. generous girls, both
of you," said Saba. ut may be q
little hard just at first, but it is clearly
our duty to 60 to Uncle John. And |
will write and tell him so this very
night
500" said Helen. .Ill borrow
Miss Clitch's ink bottle, and there are
pen and two sheets of paper in the
washstand drawer. can buy q post.
age stamp at the druggists on the
corner"
Wouldn't postal-card be cheap.
er?' said wise little Kate.
But Saba shook her head.
''Would you put Uncle Johns
poverty on a postal-card, for all the
world to read?'' said she.
And little Kate answered, somewhat
abashed:
Il didn't think of that. only
thought of economizing q cent. ]
wonder if the time will ever come when
we don't have to think of saving?''
And little Kate put on her bonnet
and tripped around to the druggists
where one particular clerk put himself
out to wait upon her.
'She has got face like daisy
said the druggists clerk. "If ever ]
marry should like a wife like that
No, she is not much of customer Of
ours, but have seen her at church
meetings, and I walk home with bel
sometimes of an evening. She lives in
Timm's tenement house, with her sister
and cousin, and works in Gracey's
store. That's all know about her.
wild flowers
Uncle John Jaycox was sitting by his
Preside W. hen his niece's letter came.
The fire of birch logs blazed gloriously
up the chimney; pan of fat, home.
run candles glittered on the table. In
all the room there was no evidence Of
gripping poverty.
EYES," said Uncle John to a tall
young man who sat opposite, Il guess
I'll have you here to run the farm fol-
me, Israel Pentield. It's getting toe
much for me to manage alone. But as
for some woman to keep house for me-
now that Anastasia Grixon has been
fool enough to marry old Simpson
Eth? what?-a letter.? I'm obleeged tc
you, Mrs. Pinkney! Stop and take 8
warm while 1 read it, and I'll git you 6
basket of gillitlower apples to carr,
home afterward. They are jest spilin
to be eaten, them gilliflowers is.
But as he perused his letter curl
Gus expression stole over his rugged
features.
"Sakes alive!' said he, stamping hi!
foot on the floor. ''What in creation
does all this mean? I guess we'll hav,
enough housekeepers, Israel. Here
my three nieces from New York com
ing to live with me, because Mrs. Pink
ney here has writ 'em that I've lost M,
property. And they're goin' to tax,
care of me. Well, l swami.
II didn't write no sich!'' whinet
| Mrs. Pinkney, with rather an alarmed
air. ~ only said that you was dread
full poor. meant the lumbago ani
rheumatic. didn't say nothin abou
money!'
''Well, no matter what you said, ant
what you didn't say,' declared Uncl,
John, crumpling up the letter in hi
hand and staring at the fire. 9TH,
gals think l I'm poor, and they're comm
here to support me, and make HON,
for me in my old age-bless their hearts
don't know why they should do it, ,
he added, with conscience-stricke1
face. II never did nothin' for them
And Kate and Helen are my sister
James darters, and Saba is Hepsy'.
only child. And they're workin' for
hvin', and I've got more than 1 know
what to do with: It's shame, now
amt it: that things is so unevenly di
| vided?''
"Just exactly what I've always said, ;
quietly remarked Israel Penfeld.
Uncle John Jaycox looked at hin
with queer twinkle in his Opaque
blue eyes
II Declare" said he, ''them gals ha!
taught me a lesson! 1 don't need to b,
took care of in my old age; but I swar
to goodness! it would be kind of pleas
ant to have three gals around lookin
arter the old man. I'm mind to try
it,"
Il would if was you,' said Israe
Penfield.
So when Saba, Helen and little Kate
arrived, Uncle John received them with
a warm welcome.
"Nieces,' said he, 1 amt poor, mol
amt likely to be; but I'm glad tt
see you. I'm glad to know tha
there's any one in the world care!
enough for the old man to come anc
look arter him, without no expectation
of bein' paid for it. 1t sort O. shores
up my confidence in human natur'
Come in! come in! There's plenty O.
room for you all in the old farmhouse
Come in and welcome!'
The three girls looked at eacl
| other.
"Ought we to stay?'' they asked
each other.
"Yes," whispered little Kate
''There are two red COWS in the field
| / saw them!''
''And the air smells so SWEET sale
pale Helen.
"And Uncle John spoke as if he wa
really, really glad to see u.s. sale
Saba. '.Oh, yes, let us stay!'
Nor did any of the contracting
parties ever re- ret the misunderstood
ing which had brought them 81
curiously together.