Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-02-26
A STITCH IN TIME.


1.-THE Chemist" and | asked uncle
what he thought of it. l had been
working down at the School of Mines
myself for the past month, but had said
nothing about it to Uncle Mark.
81 hate the sight of all Of them"
cried the old gentleman, irascibly.
"Since my aunt eloped with "a young
wnipper- r-snapper of al apothecary's
clerk, thirty years ago, and brought dis
grace to our family. 1 feel my fingers
itch to destroy all their drugs and viii
ainous compounds. heard you talk
ing last summer about taking mp somc-
thing of the kind, Mark, and if you had
you'd have been ten thousand dollars
poorer than you will he now. I'd not
have left you a cent, sir-not a penny,
sir. The Hepworths have always been
gentlemen, and should be sorry, sir,
to see one Of them become asyrup-mix-
er."
"But, uncle, there is a great deal of
difference between a chemist and a
drug store clerk. Every great scientif-
ic man must understand chemistry, and
even if-'
'Don't you tell me, sir. 1 know 'eln
all, sir. These chemists are all alike,
sir 10
"Well," replied, meekly giving in,
"why didn't you say something to me
about it at the time" Then, fearful
lest he might find me out, / added j: 81
might have gone on and become a
chemist for all you said about it
them"
ST don't want to influence you,
Mark. You can go and do as you
please for anything L shall say. have
no authority over you, and don't want
any. Only. didn't intend to leave my
money to any apothecary, SIR"
This was pleasant, to say the least !
firmly resolved to leave the school of
mines instanter. / had taken it up on
the sly, intending to surprise my
friends by the discovery of a new met
al or some such exploit. l always
washed my hands in weak acid tefore
leaving the laboratory, and changed my
clothes and had hitherto gone on un.-
detected. So felt was safe If stop
ped.
''By the way, Uncle" I said, &c
think I shall 90 into business. Can
you recommend me to any one of your
business acquaintances ? Ishould like
to commence as soon as possible"
Uncle Mark looked very much pleas
ed.
"That's right, my boy that's right.
I'll see what can do for you. Mean
while, see pretty Miss McGregor over
there, and would be cruel to keep you
away from her any longer, so, au revoir,
Mark. Come and dine with me this
evening"" and the kind old gentleman
slipped off in moment.
I instantly shot into the next room to
Miss McGregor's sids. She also was
standing there looking at 1.-THE Chem
ist.''
"Well. Miss Flora" l said "what
do you think of it ?"
She turned quickly and stretched out
her hand.
"Good- morning, Hepworth,'' she
cried smiling.
"You were not at all startled ?" /
said. holding her hand-such sweet
little hand, that it was positive pain
to let go-''and yet you did not hear
me come up ?''
NO." said SIZE, letting her hand
still lie in mine ; "but it seemed so
natural to have you standing there"
and then she suddenly blushed, and
drew her hand out of my vigorous
grasp. 'That is" sue added, II mean
that that L"
"She was growing rosily red, so 1
came to her rescue.
"You mean, Miss Flora" said, with
a faint attempt at jocoseness, "that 1
have inflicted myself on you so much
lately that you have come to look on
me as an inevitable, although tiresome
incubus. Well, I admit that I have
haunted your STEPS very much lately,
and if it annoys you,you must send me
packing. Idon't wonder that you be-
come awfully bored"
81 did not mean that, Mr.. Hep
WORTH" she said. hastily.
"Miss Flora, my name is not Mr..
Hepworth," }" interrupted.
She looked at me little astonish
ed.
Your name is not Mr.. Hepworth p,
mo. That is, not to you. My
name is Mark, Miss Flora, if you
please.''
"But l don't please" she said, with
a pleasant little laugh. 'That is-not
yet. Why, have only known you for
a balf-year !! But to change the sub,
\ - An