The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-12-22
A LITTLE JOKE.


Uncle Jack and NintY Have Some Fun
with JnhpnY-What the Little Girl
DIDN'T Know.
Uncle Jack, hanging up his over
coat in the hall, heard a queer little
noise in the parlOr. 1t sounded like
Minty, crying. 1t wasn't really the
noise that was queer, for, to tell the
truth, Minty cried good deal, about
Que thing and another; but that she
should be crying Christmas afternoon,
of all timo5! Dear me! Uncle Jack
could scarcely believe his ears.
He opened the door and looked in.
Sure enough, there was Minty curled
up in corner OF the sofa, with NAM
mas new crazy quilt over her head.
Uncle JACK lrowned q little; he never
did like to see a little girl cry.
my eyes and earsn said he
''What're you about, Minty?"
Crying" sobbed Minty, lifting one
edge of the quilt to peep out slyly,
"'cause mamma won't let me eat any
more candy; and I've got a lot, and
haven't eat but just the leastest tiny bit
of mite, Uncle Jack, truly"
Jpn warrant you haven't" laughed
Uncle Jack, walking across the room
to the bay-window. The sofa was
close by the bay-window. Come
here, Minty," said he. IT'S pretty
hard, isn't it, dear?"
"What?n demanded Minty, sitting
bolt upright
ITO have 80 much candy in .he
house, when you can't eat it."
''Ye-es," said Minty, getting ready
TO dive under the quilt again. But l
can eat it, if just only mama'll let
me.
II know" said Uncle Jack, looking
out of the window. See here, Minty
Who's this?"
Minty looked too.
why, it's stopped snowing!" cried
she. ''And that-why, that's Mrs.
Kelly's little BOY, named Johnny,
Uncle Jack. Didn't you know? He
always shovels out our front steps and
path, and papa pays him.
"Of course" said Uncle Jack. Now,
Minty, do you suppose that little chap
out there has had five cents worth OF
candy all winterP"
a don't thinks likely he has, -
answered Minty, wondering what
would come next. She thought she
could guess pretty we'll, and she looked
sober Uncle Jack laughed
What say we have some fun, Min
typ"
"How?" asked Minty, Frightening
up.
OVEN put lotof that candy you
can't eat"
But can," interrupted Minty, 'il
mamma1l lot mo-" ,.
''Ho! ho!'' Uncle Jack laughed in
earnest this time. well, then, we'll
put some of that candy mamma won't
let you eat in a paper bag, and tie a
long string to it, and I'll go up on the
balcony and let it down on Johnny 8
head; and you shall stand and watch.
low IL butLb 10 IOf luuV
pretty WE'LL" answered Minty.
She didn't quite like the idea yet; but
Uncle Jack went right ahead, as if he
didn't notice, and by the time he had
the paper bag and the long string
ready, Minty began to think there was
fun in it, after all, and scampered to
fetch the candy-a whole boXful of it.
wen put in a lot" said she. And
so they did; more than a pound.
should say. Minty was in dreadful
furry, for fear Johnny would get his
shoveiing done and get away. 1t
seemed long time after she heard
Uncle Jack open the balcony door,
before she saw the plump paper-bag
being lowered slowly, slowly down.
"Oh, what fun! Minty wanted tc
scream, Johnny didn't look up. but
kept working and whistling away, witt
his funny knit cap on the back OF hi.
head, until the bag hit him square anC
fair on his back. You MAJ be sure he
looked up then, and all around besides
He couldn't see any body, though, be.
cause Uncle Jack had lodged out o
sight and Minty was behind the cur
tains.
And there hung the bag, swinging
to and fro. Johnny forgot TO whistle
and his eyes grow large and larger, a
no looked ct it Minty had to stut