Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-07-25

our relative. 1 saw at once, by certain
infalllble signs, that he was In one OF
his most aggressive moods. He swore
at the hyman; contradIcted me fatty
and rudely when mentioned the usual
fare, and snubbed poor Ella 30 viciously
on the subject OF a new velvet dress
she wore that 1 saw the tears spring to
her eyes with modification, and 1
myself crimsoned with rage. However,
We pressed him to take some refresh
ment-sherry. l think it was, and after
Two large glasses OF the same he be-
came somewhat Modified.
At this point a telegram was handed
Id. Ii was from my uncle, saying we
might expect him by the $50.
"Wouldn't you like to get ready for
dinner now, uncle?" Ella said after
some time, with a nervous glance at
the timepiece. u had shown her the
telegram.) 1t was a quarter to 6, and
Uncle Simon's train was due in five
minutes.
''Plenty OF time. plenty of timep'
said the old gentleman, helping him
self to another glass of sherry. "You
don't dine TIL 6, do you?n
saw that Ella was quite pale.
| Pray, don't hurry" 1 observed
calmly. AS L spoke, the whistle of
Uncle Simon's tram was heard In the
distance. Ella disappeared from the
loom, and in another moment the din
ner bell sounded vigorously.
| Old Carper rose-after imbibIng a
final glass OF sherry.
II hope you have something decent
for dinner" he growled. 'I'm as
hungry as hunter. Hadn't time for
more than bite at lunch"
1 smiled q painful smile and muir
INJURED something to the effect that
hoped he would have something he
could enjoy.
The old fellow plodded heavily up
stairs, where Ella was waiting to usher
him into the fateful pink room. In
another moment my wife, flushed and
breathless, Joined me at the foot of the
stairs.
"Havs you don itP" 1 asked
gloomily. feeling as imagine Macbeth
must have done.
Yes" she answered, showing me
the key, preparatory to slipping it into
her pocket. And, Charley, L took
down the bellrope to-day, so all is
safe. But. oh dearl how very unfortu-
nate that Uncle Simon didn't come
first. 1 suppose he will be here dI.
rectly."
Just then the doorbell rang loudly.
| II was Uncle Simon.
1t CHANGED that Mr. Finicker was
| not in the most amicable frame OF
mind, either. He had lost his UNI
brella, it appeared, and was even more
aggravatingly nervous and fldgety than
usual
Just as dinner was served, a loud
banging was heard from the room
above. U don't think have mentioned
that the pink room was situated just
above the dining room.) L fastened
upstairs, and hypocritically turned the
handle of the pink room doo-, having
previously knocked.
"Are you not coming down to din
, neT, Mt. Carperr" l inquired, feeling,
1 confess, rather ashamed of myself
Coming downI' thundered my
wife's uncle Indignantly from within.
"Ot course I'm coming down; but L
can't get the door openl"
"No?" 1 returned, with a careful
accent OF surprise. 81 trust this con-
founded lock has not caught again.
We intended having it repaired, but
the locksmith has unfortunately not
arrived" (Which, as he had not been
sent for, was not to be Wondered at.)
"Shake the handle from the inside"
I continued.
He shook the handle. butt need
hardly say-without effect. shook 1t
also.
"Perhaps you have locked itP" 1
suggested, allowing faint amount OF
anxiety to appear in my tone.
Locked t2 Rubbishl'' was the
irate reply. "What should lock 1t
| for? I'm not woman. Besides,
there's no key"
"r am exceedingly annoyed" went
on, in a voice full of vexed solicitude;
but 1 fear we can do nothing until
the locksmIth comes-s'It is most un-
fortunatsl He shall be sent for again
at once; but of course 1t Will take some
little time, as We are so far from the
village"
whereupon followed fearful and
ungovernable language from Mr.. Car.
per. He shook the door violently.
stamped about the room, and "went
on" generally in a most alarming way,
I pacifled him as well as I could, or,
rather, 1 tried to pacify him, but he
continued to storm and swear without
apparently listening to my lies-they
were nothing less-and at last l went
down stairs again. and took my place
at the head of the table in a furious
passion. Our previous deceptions had
never gone so far as this, and felt
myself a sneak from the tips OF my
fingers to the toes of my boots. This
was a most preposterous and outrage
Gus plan of Elias, reflected savagely.
We could never carry it out. Why
had listened to her?
As we devoured our soup we could
hear footsteps tramping about oxcitedly
and irregularly overhead. Then there
was a sudden silence. 1t was the lull
before the storm
Scarcely had the fish been removed
than a series of loud bangs resounded
on the panels up stairs. Uncle Simon
started nervously. Ella becams GRIM
son and mut.ered something about
s.rousing baby" 1 took no notice, but
went on grimly carving the fowl be-
fore me.
"will you take leg, or a wing,
uncle?" said shortly.
"a leg, boy" Indignantly. "What
are you thinking OFF IN take wing
l hastily apologized and said l was
thinking OF something else. $50 was
i was thinking OF Uncle Grogory.)
Bangl bangl bangl from above
GOOD graciousI What is that?"
exclaimed Uncle Simon, in a tone eX-
pressiye of alarm and amazement-
s.What Is what?" 1 asked coldly,
without raising my eyes from the plate.
ssThat most extraordinary noise,
CharlesI'' went on my uncle, in much
agitation. "Is 1t possible you do not
hear it?"
"I hear the wind rising" / replied
calmly. "I fear we shall have
storm. (Happily, the wind was blowing
by this time, and was blowing pretty
r continued; ..I think you will find it
good"
broken by the walls Of the baby. who
had reused up at last Ella fed up
stairs, and engaged my uncle In easy
conversation.
Suddenly, Just as Mr.. Finicker was
r---.hed on a leu0thy TRADE upOu the