The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-01-06

though always kind, sometimes SLOW
to answer the thousand questions of
childhood. But Uncle Charlie was al
wayslight and CHEEKY: Henever looked
perplexed, for nothing could puzzle
him. Oh no! And rs to the questions,
he always answered them, even the
most difficult, though candor compels
the confession that his replies would
not always bear veriiication under
oath or affirmation.
Mother, Geordie was compelled to
believe, was somewhst helpless, like
himself, but Uncle Charlie conld do
everything. Geordie could only hint
his wishes, and if his uncle could not
quite accomplish them, he could sug-
gest something else which he main-
tained, and the chiltl believed, was a
great deal better. Geordie longed, Q,
how much, for q live pony. Uncle
Charlie brought him rocking-horsc,
which would neither kick nor run
away. Beside, it wou Id eat nothing,
and Geordie was easily convinced that
the wooden pony's moderate appc-
tite was q great recommendation. He
could make believe feed it, you know,
and q horse that only makes believe
eat is very profitable animal.
"Will Uncle Charlie come to.day?"
The mother sighed as she said, IL
hope so, Gcordie."
20, mother, know he will, for he
always came on New Years when fa.
ther was at home"
Mrs. Merrill could no longer stay
her tears. 1t was q sad New Years
day to her; for she had no assurance
scarce q hope that the husband and
father, who, a year ago was the light
of tho household, was longer an ong
the living. Early in the year just
closed he had left her for I'll Dorado.
the wanderful land which once carried
away all our restless population; the
land fruitful i'll gold to few, in ankle
ties and tears to all the friends who
were lett behind. Months had pass,
ed, and no tidinss We're received from
him. 1t was sud Wintry day to the
hearts Of those who sighed for the ab-
sent. And yet tho streets were full
of promenaders, people OF light heart
and cheerful demeanor, who passed
the window where the deserted wife
and mother sat. The thought was
forced upon her, whether through the
year lust opened she should strive to
keep together her husbands home
comforts, or whether she must not re.
linquish all, and thus confess that she
hoped no more for his return.
She bad almost forgotten Uncle
Charlie, when she caught glimpse OF
his familiar face.
81 knew he would come-I knew he
would conie!" shouted little Geordie,
and before his mother could reach the
| door, tho happy boy was tusgins Mt
the latch. We need not describe with
what Joy Uncle Charlie was welcomed,
| or how before his pleasant smile
| pleasant, though sad for he could feel
| the gloomy thoughts Of Mrs. Merrill
gave her respite. Wonderful were the
stores of toys and bon-bons which
came out OF Uncle Charlie's pockets
for his little nephew. Deep was the
blush with which Mrs. Merrill received
a sealed envelope which Uncle Charlie
bade her to put in her pocket and
to hold her peace.
"Charlcs, you are robbing yourself. /"
"NIe! and n bachelor, without q
wife, or chick. or child. Beside, it's
all charged; nnd will be paid when
your husband comes home"
Mrs. Merrill sadly shook her head.
Uncle Charlie knew her forebodings.
Perhaps he shared them. But Uncle
Charlie wns always child. In the
darkest day he could see sunlight. II
he had been @ broker he could have
carried the most forlorn stock, and,
when forced to give away, drop
his load and rejoice that he
was released from q burden
Tho mans confidence was rs ada
mant aud his spirits ns q perennial
fountain. lie was determined to be,
} lievc that his brother would return
and if the absentee never came back,
, SO much the more was he bound to
| keep up for the happiness OF his widow
and child.
"Why, Uncle Charlie!" said George
as he surveyed his presents, "you did
not bring me one book"
"No more did, said Uncle Charlie
"But l will give you Ill my books
when you are IL man, and you shal
be q lawyer like me. You might lool
at Jack the Giant Killer, which
gave you last year, you had not
torn 1t all to pieces"
"Oh haven't, you naughty uncle
l said the child. as he produ ced in tri
8 umph the well-kept classic.
/, ''l3y the way, sister," said Uncle
Q Charlie, whose thoughts now reverted
;. to his mornings adventure, 81 wanl
!. you to shock all the prophecies, anG
Y brighten Mrs. Grundy out OF her wits
\ this afternoon"
< Little Geortlie looked up, wonder
v ing what kind OF q New Years gam,
e this might portend.
r 81 met little witch this morning.
Q Geordie's eyes were ready to burs
!, from his head. and his mother dl
vided her smiles between the lively
uncle and the astonished nephew.
: "And wish you to call and see he
: with me-"
y "0h, should so like o see witch!'
J, cried Gaordie. ais it in the nenag
y erie?"
G "Never you mind. Geordie. You'll
see the witch soon enough"
$50 lie did; but l must not get be
l fore mv story. He is looking ut he
!, | now, over IHe wy VI uio SfCihtoeiiii
newspaper.
! Mrs. Merrill was not hard to per
t suade to accompany her brother. sh
l was accustomed to his cratic move
t ments, and never thwarted them; 10
whatever conventional rules might b
laughingly broken, the man was al
ways right, Tor his heart was kind
and his head was sound. So littl
Geordie was left, with Jack the Clan
Killer in charge OF the house, and Tn
| lie Charlie took his sister with him t
\ eep his appointment with the littl
Q, lgma and her mother.
We need not go with him on his Sec
I'D call, for the result OF the inter
II. will develop itself. When Uncl
~. ~ lie and his sister returned, n ne,
tut. tat'ia, LUX met their eyes in the parlol
t"'.s. aa.sa lger, with huge mustache an
bea I'd d to give =. an uph,olst,ere pI,'l ere
and mn o".nI cnz;e. 1t chair; and Geordi'
a s.io eoz'e. n., er's knees, was compal
Em in ,s ,;s ssians h;sH4ta visage with that {