The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-08-28
UNCLE PIIILO.

"From Uncle Philo. :" said Jenny San
ford, in a tone of CONSERVATION, staring
at the signature of the letter she held.
''By Jove.' her brother Tom ejacu-
lated, and emitted a long whistle, cx-
pressive of deep establishment.
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.
Giles coming" said Jenny, sinking
into a chair despairingly.
"Oh, by Jove!" said Tom again, with
a horritcd information.
"You don't seem fond of him :" John
observed.
"Fond of him7" Jenny repeated.
eve detcst him. Haven't we ever told
you about him. He's the banc of our
lives. You know when grandfather
died, he left most of his property
20 fathcr-this house among the rest.
To 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 says
he is the richest man in the county-hc
left only a thousand dollars, Just a me
mento. OF course he was right; Uncle
Philo didn't need the money, and father
did. But Uncle Philo wasn't satisfied. -
Jenny's blue eyes burned with indigna-
ton. ole wouldn't touch the thous-
and dollars; he wouldn't even come to
poor grandfathcr's funeral; he declared
he was going to contest the will. Why
he didn't was a mystery to US. Father
q u ho is a 1roolfnl1v Intorroi.,ol -
But this explains it," Jenny turned to
the letter with quivering lips. Giles
simply been taking his time about it,
and settling his affairs so he can leave
them safely; and now he's coming out
hcre-hc 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.'
J%enny's feelings ovcrpowcrcd her.
She pulled a dainty handkerchief from
her pocket and sobbed into it-Tom and
her tiaucce looking on compassionately.
She was not given to such outbursts-
she, who had been a dignified little wo-
man ever since she was fourteen, filling
her dead mothers place with absolute
perfection.
Pm glad poor fathers away" she
said at last, raising her blonde head.
He'd be dreadfully worried"
'Its a plagued shame!" said John,
encrgetically-restraining a desire to use
a stronger adjective.
'Ill thrash him within an inch of his
life if he comes here! 7" Tom declared
ono; wait, " he added, with something
of a grin-"Ill introduce him to Mr..
Dobbin. That will settle himn'
"Mr. Dobbin?" said Jenny.
Giles a man that's selling lightning
rods in town." Tom explained. ale
~button-holed me yesterday, and got ar
order out of me before | knew it. He'
got the longest tongue of any man
ever saw You cant get away from him
I'll present our beloved Uncle Philo, anC
he'll go back to Dalton on the train
Dobbin's coming this afternoon to pu
up the rods, Jenny. Don't get hin
started to talk, / warn you"
Jenny smiled through her tears.
''Youll stay to dinner, John2" sh,
said, more cheerfully, and vanished int,
the kitchen.
So absorbing was the preparation o
dinner, so entire her success-Jenny wa
a born cook-and so gratifying were tn
praises which Tom and her future lor,
had showercd upon it, that Uncle Phil
and the danger which threatened then
were almost forgotten.
But os she stood in the doorway an,
watched their departure together-Tor
and his prospective brother-in law wer
clerks in the same otlice-she felt her in
dignation returning.
How contemplate, in the hardness @
his m%ercenary heart, and the meannes
of his motives, was this man who pre-
posed to rob them of their home!
lie, with his houses and his lands, h
stocks and his bonds; while her father
struggle through life had always been
hard one, and her grandfather's beque'
had been unspeakably welcome to hin
Was not the difference great enoug
now2
Jenny wen back to her dishes, wit
one small hand unconsciously clencheC