St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-08
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE,


rer OF a Eilliner's shop on the Bowery; and
little Kate-the youngest of the three-was
packer in fancy store, and could do I'D
more neat paper parcels in given time
than you would believe possible.
They lived together in this one room
with little alcove running out of it. be-
cause 1t was the cheapest mode of existence.
and because their scant earnings, dubbed
together, could be laid out to better adj
vantage than if eXpeaded sngly.
don't feel hungry" said Helen, with a
grimace.
Il am so tired of bread and butterr'
sighed little Kate. ooh, if could have
some of the stewed grapes that mother
used to make!'
''Oh! that reminds me-" said Saba, tax
ing letter off the mantel. ''Pve heard
from old Mrs. Pinkney. She wants us to
buy fashionable bonnet for her-garnet
velvet with long pllme-if we can get it
for S1.50; and look out for a bargain in
crimson merinO for Louisa James winter
frock. She wants the very best quality.
and can't go higher than 81 cents ward.
And she wishes to know if we are ac-
quanted with anybody in the business who
Will dye her over her pea-greer> silk skirt at
half price,"
IlSlcH SllIuSSou her SnOulQ6lS.
''She must think we have plenty of time
to execute her commissions" said she.
"MerinO for 81 cents yardr' cried little
Kate. And a hat of velvet for 81. so.
Does the women expect impossibilities?n
But that isn't ALL" said Saba. ''Uncle
John is very poor. She thinks his rela-
lions should look after him.
''Uncle John!' said Kate.
"POOr?" echoed Helen
'But what has become of his money?"
said little Kate, intently knitting her
brows.
Pm sure l don't know" said Saba.
Mrs. Pinkney does not go into particulars.
What are we to do?"
Precisely what has been done to us.
said Helen, "let him alone"
mo, no. Helen!" pleaded little Kate.
Don't talk so. Remember, he is the only
uncle we have got. He is our mothers
brother"
''And what has he ever done for us?n re.
torted Helen bitterly.
That doesn't signify" reasoned Saba.
HE is old and feeble. He needs our care.
That is enough. I've been considering it,
l can do the Homework for Uncle John,
Helen could make bonnets for the wives OF
the farmers. And little Kate could 90 out
to plain sewing by the day among the
neighbors. added Saba, Cor help around
in soap-making. or preserving times. There
are good many who would pay so cents
day and board for good, intelligent help.
And that is a deal more than she earns here.
1t may be little hard just at first, but il
is clearly our duty to go to Uncle John.
And | will write and tell him so this very
night"
DO" said Helen. "I'll borrow Miss
Clitch's INK bottle, and there is pen and
two sheets OF paper in the washstand
drawer. can buy postage stamp at the
druggists on the cOrner.'
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 a face like daisy, said
the druggists clerk. IF ever | marry
should like a wife like that"
Uncle John Jaycox was sitting by his
fireside when his niece's letter came. The
fire of birch logs blazed gloriously up the
chimney; pair of fat, home-run candles
glittercd OH the table. In all the room
there was no evidence of gripping poverty.
YES" said Uncle John to a tall young
man who sat opposite, Il guess I'll have
you here to run the farm for me- IsraeI
Pentield. It's gettin' too much for me tt
manage alone. But as for some woman to
keep house for me, now that Anastatis
Grixon has been fool enough to marry oil.
Smpson-eh? what? letter? Pm obliged
to you. Mrs. Pnkneyr'
But as he peruSed his letter a curious ex.
preston stole over his rugged features
''Sakes alive!" said he, stamping one foof
on the floor. 'What in creation does al
this mean? [ guess we Will have enough
houSekeepers, Israel. Here's my three
nieces from New York a-comn' to live with
me because Mrs. Pinkney here has writ ZEN
that L nave lost my property. And they're
going to take care of me. Well, [ swami
Il didn't write no sich!" whined Mrs
Pinkney, with rather an alarmed air. ~
only said you were dreadful poor in health
L meant the lumbago and rheumatic.
didntsay nothin' about moneyr'
well, NO matter what you said and what
you didn't say" declared Uncle John,
crumpling up the letter in his hand and
staring at the fac. The gals think Pm
poor and they are comm here to support
me and make home for me in my old age,
bless their hearts! l don't know why they
shauld do it." he added with conscience
stricken safe. II never did nothin' fol
them. And Kate and Helen are my sister
James darters and Saba is Hepsy's only
child. And they're workin' for Twin and
I've got more than l know wnat to do with.
It's shame, now amt it, that things is SO
unevenly dividedr'
Just exactly what I've always said"
quietly remarked Israel PentieId.
So when Saba, Helen, and little Kate ar
rived Uncle John received them with q
warm welcome.
'Nleces," said he, 81 amt poor, nor
amt likely to be; but Pm glad to see you.
I'm glad to know there's any one in the
world cares enough for the old man to come
and look arter him without no expectation
OF being paid for it. 1t sort O. shores up
my confidence i'll human natur'. Come in,
come in! There's plenty OF room for you
all in the old farmhouse. Come in, and
welcome!'
The three girls looked at each other.
fought we to stay?" they asked each
other.
Yes" whispered little Kate. "There
are two red COWS in the field. saw themv
''And the air smells so sweet" said pale
Helen.
And Uncle John spoke as if he wa,
really glad to see u.s." said Saba. "Oh.
yes, let US stayF"
Nor did any of the contracting partie.
ever regret the misunderstanding which haG
brought them so curiousIy together.
Little Kate went back to the civ. after
two or three years. to marry the druggists
clerk, who was now setting up in small
way Tor himself, and had come down to the
country after the daisy-faced girl who had
once attracted his attention.
AND Saba-quiet Saba-is to stay with
Uncle John, to read the paper to him and
cheer up the long, lonely evenings.
For couldn't get along without the
girl, nohoWP' says Uncle John, jovially.