The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-09-30
UNCLE PIIIL0.

"F'rom Uncle Philo!" said Jenny San
ford, in tone of CONSERVATION, STARING
at the signature of the letter she held.
''By Joyc!" 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.
"He's coming" said Jenny, sinking
into chair despairingly.
"Oh, by Jovep said Tom again, with
horriied ntonation.
'You don't seem fond of him :" John
observed.
'Fond of himp Jenny repeated.
"We detest him Haven't we ever told
you about him2 He's the bane of our
lives. You know when grandfather
died, he left most of his property
to father-this houae among the rest.
To Uncle Philo Che lives away off in
Dalton; Tom and have never seen
him)-to Uncle Philo, who is worth.
nobody knows how much-father saws
he Is the richest man in the county-he
left only thousand dollars, just q me-
mento. or 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 indigna-
tion. ''He wouldn't touch the thous-
and dollars; he wouldn't even come to
poor grandfather's funeral; he declared
he was going to contest the will. Why
he didn't was mystery to us. Father
says he is a 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
wretchl"
Jenny's feelings overpowered her.
She pulled dainty handkerchief frcm
her pocket and sobbed into it-Tom and
her tiancee looking on compassionately.
She was not given to such outbursts-
she, who had been digniied little wo-
man ever since she was fourteen, filling
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"
''It's a plagued shame!" said John,
energetically-restraining desire to use
a stronger adjective.
'I'll thrash him within an inch of his
life if he comes here % Tom declared.
''No; wait" he added, with something
of a grin-"I'll introduce him to Mr.,
Dobbin. That will settle himn
''Mr. Dobbin2" said Jenny.
'He's man that's selling lightning
rods in town." Tom explained. ale
button-holed me yesterday, and got an
order out of me before 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.
you'll stay to dinner, John9" she
said, more cheerfully and vanished into
the kitchen.
So absorbing was the preparation of
dinner, so entire her success-Jenny was
a born cook-and so gratifying We're the
praises which Tom and her future lord
had showered upon it. that Uncle Philo
and the danger which threatened them
were almost forgotten.
But as she stood in the doorway and
watched their departure together-Tom