Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-09-23
know what women are.

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and drawing on his gloves, whereof
uncle James gave him mocking bow
and then turned to Griffith, who stood
by in perfect silence.
Il don't offer you any rdvice. You
are capable of giving 1t to yourself
But bid you both listen to this:
will not leave anything to the one who
malries; I'd rather give my money to
be spent in-in fireworks! I've never
married myself, and l don't see why
l should leave my hard earnings to be
spent by silly girls and sillier boys.
Now you know my mind, and under
handedness, mark; break off your en-
gagements or carry them out, then I'll
know what to do. Now be off the
pair Of ye!
With this courteous leave-taking,
the old gentleman Quilted the room,
and his nephews soon after returned
to the station, speaking very little on
the way thither
About two months after the above
interview had taken place, uncle
James received couple of letters, the
first from his elder nephew:
MY DEAR UNCLE
After mature consideration of your
wise and prudent counsel, after much
reflection on your words. [ have de-
cided to be guided by your judg-
ment, and therefore have broken off
my engagement entirely and com
pletely, with no intention of renew
ing it. l do not think shall ever
marry; the single state appears to me
the wiser and the better. Trusting
you are in the best of health. L remain
my dear uncle, your obliged and
grateful nephew,
GRIFFITH
The old gentleman put this careful
lv aside and then read the second:
DEAR UNCLE JAMES
Yesterday was married to Miss
Carrie West. l thought you would
like to know, and hope you'll wish
me joy. My last novel is likely to be
success, and the next shall be even
more meritorious, if possible. If you
like to call on US any time, my wife
it looks funny, but 1t is awfully nice
to write Tiny wife will make you
welcome. So will your afectionate
nephew,
GABRIEL
"A pair of fools, said uncle James,
with queer laugh, and he did not
condescend to reply to the misguided
youths communication; he wrote a
long letter of approval to Griffith in
stead.
Twelve months passed, and one night
Griffith was startled by visit from his
most important relative.
The young lawyer was absorbed in
the study of a book as dingy as the
room he inhabited, and for a moment
stared at uncle James as at an apparl-
tion.
'Oh, 1 am not ghost, observed
that genial old soul: 4 came down
just 10 see what you were after. So
here's where you live? You must be
saving, eh? No mad marriage here
Saving, eh?'
'Yes;I live very economically, my
dear uncle
Good lad-wise fellow. You know
better than make stupid of yourself.
I say, what became of the girl2 How
did you get out Of it?'
Il wrote and told her that our ac-
quaintance must end, as my circum-
stances did not allow me to marry
4 hope she took it quietly?'
She wrote once or twice, but | did
not reply, so the affair died out
'And did she die out too? Artful
creatures, woman. Very likely she
got up broken hearted AFFAIR."
Something of that sort. She was
ill for time, but she got over it, and
the next time we met acted as if she
did not know me-
Uncle James chuckled, and patted
his own hand.
where's the other idiot, your cous-
in Gabriel?'
He is living near London some
where, uncle. l should think they are
badly off,
80? In debt perhaps. Do they
owe you anything2'
Nothing. have never seen Ca
briel since his marriage. l remon-
strated with him, for not obeying you,
my dear uncle, and the result was
GOODNESS which has not passed away
Yes, I should think he had to work
hard enough to keep himself, wife and
child.
ooh, it has come to that, has it?'
Yes, ] believe he has son. Ahl
f he had only taken your advice,
1ncle There is such thing as re.
,ribution.'
Il haven't the slightest doubt of it'll
agreed uncle James, with much hearth :
ness; "a pretty kettle of fish he has
made of his affairs
Some days after this, uncle James,
having obtained the address of his ,
'ebellious nephew, paid a secret visit
o that domicile, inspecting its exterior
With much disparagement. r.
fT