Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-06-01
UNCLE JACKS IDEA.

the eUu Vi lue NIlldSe, lle lTUuG u
which in the summer time, with its
two windows above the door and
narrow porch beneath, and the vines
overhanging the roof, looked not un-
like the face of an old woman in a
green bonnet.
Here the flowers bloomed, bees
hummed and Dame Nature. as if
pleased with her surroundings, SEEM
ed to do her best.
Uncle Jacks vegetables, pigs and
chickens thrived and nothing came to
mar his enjoyment until the sad day
when his sister Debby, who for many
years had been his housekeeper, was
laid under the turf in the church.
yard.
For two months Uncle Jack lived
alone; but, one evening, after thought
fully smoking his pipe, he jumped up
with the sudden exclamation, "I'Ye
got an idea !" Having performed an
extra ablution, be donned a clean
shirt, combed the side locks over the
bald place on the top of his head, put
Oh his Sunday coat and hat, locked
the kitchen door, and started for the
other side of the village.
Here had lived DR.. Bell, an old
physician, who had retired from prac-
tice, and had moved to the city.
With him had lived for several years,
as housekeeper, Barbara Fleury, who,
on account of a certain infrmity of
temper, had been nicknamed "Barba-
ra Fury" and the name had fitted
her so well, that many persons who
knew her were not aware that it was
not her real name. With the excep-
tion of this one fault, she was q model
in looks, neatness and industry, and
was also most excellent cook
Barbara, who had come to look
upon the DOCTORS house as her home,
sat wondering with many misgivings
on this particular evening, what sort
of life she would be likely to lead in
the next town, at her sisters house,
where the rooms and accommoda-
tions were small, and the children
numerous Hearing rap, she open
ed the door and found Uncle Jack.
Good evening, Miss Fury.
my name is Fleury," she respond
ed in icy tones
"Why, so it is." said Uncle Jack,
rather shaken, but smiling blaudly.
"It's quite nice evening, Miss
Fluery."
cit will do" she said coolly stand
ing to hear his business, and not in
yiting him to sit down.
II was feeling" he said with lit
tie hesitation, sort Of lonely, and
thinkin' you might be feelin' the
same, thought maybe you'd think
it no harm for me to offer you little
of my company"
The possibilities of the situation
struck Miss Barbara at once, and its
superiority to anything else that was
likely to offer was equally clear, and
in moment she had decided in the
affirmative.
"Take a chair and sit down." she
said in a tone greatly modified.
Il don't care if do" replied I'm
Gle Jack. "The truth is, Barbara" !"
he said, boiling into. the subject
which he had previously thought
might take him an hour or two to ar
rive at, Il was thinkin' if you was
willin', we might as we'll join hearts
and hands, and let one roof cover u.s.
I've a comfortable home as you
know, Pye pen full of as pretty
pigs as you'd see in a days ride, I've
been lucky with nv chickens"
"And reckon they scratch and
make more dirt than pays for their
keeping" she said.
"Well, ifyou come and take charge
you can do as you like with them.
Sister Debbie always got the chicken
money, and l reckon I'll not be less
generous to my wife, ha! ha! hs."
"I'm able to keep myself, and need
be no mans wife to get livin', even
if never do another stroke of work, F"
she said tartly.
"Of course, of course" said Uncle
Jack, II meant no reflections, but if
l take wife keep and pay for her,
and if she has money of her own, she
may bury it in a vault, give it to the
heather, or buy silver mine; it's all
one to me. l thought as | couldn't
get along alone, maybe I'd take a
partner, and concluded to give you
the first chance. Now, what do you
say?"
II amt use to maxim up my mind
in minute, and like to turn things
round little before | make q bar
gain. | won't say yes to night, but
if you are of the same mind to-mor.
row, and come around about this
time, you'll get your answer"
Uncle Jack took this as dismissal
for the present, and with a smiling
good night departed. rather encour-
aged than depressed, for, thought he,
"if she did not think well of il, she'd
have said no, and done with it at
once"
Uncle Jack was as punctual as the
clock the next night at the appointed
place, and after having the subject
sifted from one side to the other, bis
Dulcinea finally gave in by saying
"She supposed she might as well
make up her mind to it; livin' with
him wouldn't likely be much worse
than some others she knew Of"
81 suppose, Barbara, you wouldn't
be willin' to go to the parsons to
night?"
Not much!" she replied, with 6
perceptible sniff. ''I'm not in such {
hurry as that to make fool of my
self"
"How about to morrow them" b,
asked snxiously.
"This time next week and no soon
er l don't see anyhow what started
you on this track at your time o
life"
I Uncle Jack smoothed down hi
heard .'Tbere were several thing