The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-11-15
KATE'S POCKET-MONEY.

hA LIE GUUkb l-MUNhY I
"lt's all very fine to be adopted, =" saiC
Kate kaswcll, running her fingers des
pcratcly through her short, brown curl,
and Il rich uncle reads delightfully."-
in newspaper story, or at the eud of d
novel; but what is girl to do for q
little pocket moncy?'
"Ask your uncle for it, miss, dear
suggested Cleo. the old housekeeper.
"Not that he'd give it to you-the mas.
ter is dreadful close in his calcu ations.
But there's nothing like trying Now, is
there"
Kate fixed her great sea blue eyes full
on tlco's wrInklcd face, and considered
the question i.passionatcly.
'Ivc heard OF marching up to the can.
mons mouth said she. al would almost
rather do that than ask Uncle kaswcll
for Il dollar. But you are right, Cleo
there's nothing ike trying"
heeyed herself in the glass-a bright,
audaciOus faced little brunette, with a
crop of short, brown curls parted en-
PLAT cally on one 5 de, cheeks flushed
with rosy health, and captivating dim
pie in her chin-shc pulled her sailor
collar straight, and threw away cluster
of marigolds which had wilted in her
bosom.
Cleo said she, "shall do1r
The old woman looked lovingly at
her.
''lf the Major hadn't heart of stone,
Miss said She, ''he couldn't refuse a
thing you asked of him!"
Kate laughed.
81 wish every one was of the same
mind as you, Cleo" she said.
And then she marched out to the
stone toored portico, where her uncle,
seated in n huge basket-chalr, was read
ing his mornings letters through pair
Of stccl-bound spectaclcs.
Major Kaswell looked up, with a smile.
He most always smiled when Kate ap 70
peared before him, but it was cold,
not ar encourag ng, smile.
"Wel, my DEAR said he.
"Uncle,' stammcred Kate, 81 should
like little II little pocket. money!
"What for" said the Ma or, still with
the immovabc smile widening his mouth.
Kate hcsitltcl
Sht had wanted yard Of Smyrna
lace. II pint of peanuts, two postage
stamps and bottle of cough mixture
for one If her protcges in the village :,
but all these things seemed SO pitifully
ins significant in the cold light Of Major
KaSweIl's frigd blue eyes and stony
smile, that she lacked courage to
cnumcratc them.
"Oh, various things" said she, fcebly.
"\ arious things, ch;" said the Major.
"He', ! dare say! But that isn't the way
/ do business, Katharine. Any reasonable
bills that YOU may contract may be sent
to me, and will pay for them by check.
] always like to know where / stand,
But, uncle, little ready money in
ones pocket"
"ls the most wasteful system in the
world, my dear"
NO bc oil about your business, or
I'll have you arrested Cto swart- faced
ltal an organ grinder, who, accompanied
by his tattcrcl wife and monkey, were
Siding up the broad carriage drive.
And hatc shank back, almost as
nervou'ly as il the stern rebuff were
addressed to her own Individual self
No, there was no use to protest.
Uncle kaswell was an autocrat in his
way. She could only retire as grace.
fully as possible from the field of action
and confess to old Cleo that she had been
defeated.
"lt makes me feel so helpless? ?" said
she, clcnching her hands. "Oh, Cleo,
isn't there any one in the village that
wants little sewing done, or bit
of house cleaning doue, or something
that represents money value2"
n think you're going crazy, miss! ~
said Cleo, with gasp.
''Moncy | must have" assyeratcd
Kate. "DoCs Uncle kaswcll think | am
like the savage tribes of Africa, who
live on bits of colorcd glass and wax
beads: And money | mean to earn,
some way or other. Else ight us well
be pauper! Checks, indeed! A check
for paper of pins, or a package of
cream chocolates wonder how Uncle
KaswelI would like it hlmself"
For a minute Kate hesilated whether
to laugh or to cry. And in default of
either, she caught up her hat and went
out into the garden to hunt butterflies
for her collection.
''BlesS and save us, miss !" said John,
the knotty-faced man who oftciated in
the double capacity of gardener and
stableman. "Why, you nearly knocked
me over"
"pm very sorry. John," said Kate,
picking up her butterfly net. "But if
it had not been for you, should have
caught that lovely terra. Gotta specimen.
What were YOU staring atl One would
think you might have gotten out of the
way"
ats the boat, miss" said John.
at isn't running away, supposel"
(sarcasticallyD
"No, miss; but it might" John
answered, in rather nettled fashion,
'ff l didn't keep my eye on it. It's