Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-08-31
HER UNCLE'S PET.

Old Mr.. Brown stood in his private
office, with his back to the fire and his
coat-tails balanced in either hand.
He was bald-headed old gentleman
with a ruddy complexion, keen black
eyes, and leSof-mutton whiskers
which were as white rs snow. And
Miss Nelly Torrance sat looking tim
idly at him from the depths of the big
armchair in which he had beckoned
her to seat herself.
$50 you are my cousin Adrian's
daughter?' said he, after long pause.
Yes, said Nelly, wondering what
was in all those mysterious boxes, and
whether the monster iron safe was full
of gold and silver pieces.
And you want something to do?'
Yes, please =
"Humphr' said Mr.. Brown.
Nelly glanced shyly up into his face.
But she added with some spirit, Il am
not asking for charity. | am willing
To work for my bread!'
You mean that you would like to
daub canvass, or sew impossible vel
low sunflowers on green plush
screens satirically observed the old
gentleman. Il don't call that work.
Nor |, either retorted Nelly.
Then, what do you mean?' said
Mr.. Brown.
Il mean that | shall be glad to un-
dertake any sort of honest work by
which | can earn my own living
"Humph" again interjected Mr..
Brown. Can you cook?'
Yes" Nell answered.
Il don't believe it."
But | can"
Every WELL p" said Mr. Brown, releas-
ing his coat-tails and sitting down at
his desk as if the question were def
nitely disposed of My cook went
away this morning. / haven't en-
gagged any one in her place. You may
come this afternoon and see what you
can do for me-
Mr.. Brown fully expected that this
young cousin would recoil indignant
ly from this proposal, but she did
nothing of the sort. She simply said,
Yes, cousin John, and asked him for
his private address.
Mind you're punctual, my dear =
said he as he handed her the pencilled
card.
II am always punctual," calmly re-
sponded Nelly.
Mr.. Brown watched her out Of the
office with a quizzical twinkle in the
corners of his eyes.
"She won't come" he said TO him
self. I've seen the last of my fine re-
lation.
And Nelly Torrance went home to
little second-noor room, the cheap
est which the widow and her daugh-
ters could possibly find.
hTS. ANlIldll was vi tNStAl
in black, fair delicate piece of hu-
man china, who had been like the Ill
les of the field, in that she toiled not,
neither did she spin, and Lucetta the
elder daughter, was trying, unsuccess-
fully enough, to trim black crepe
bonnet by the window.
They had come up from the coun
try at Lucetta's suggestion TO appeal,
in their poverty, to this rich cousin of
the dead father and husband, but
none of them anticipated any very
satisfa ctory results from the expert
ment.
These rich people are always mi
serly," said Miss Lucetta
And I've understood" sighed the
gentle little widow, that he was not
pleased when poor dear Adrian mar
ried me instead of Miss Goldbags, the
rich pawnbroker' daughter
"Well.' cried Mrs. Torrance eager
ly, as Nelly entered.
What does he say?" questioned Lu-
cetta, dropping the crepe which she
was vainly endeavoring to fashion in
to what the fashion-plate called IAN
oblong bow"
Il have seen him, said Nelly, un-
tying her bonnet-strings. And I'm
going to his house in Grandover Park
this afternoon"
You don't mean cried Mrs Tor
rance, with spasmodic catching her
breath, that he is going to-adopt
your
Not in the least" said Nelly.
Now, mamma darling, don't jump at
conclusions. Just hear my plain, un-
vanished tale. VENT TO cousin John.
| told him l wanted something TO do.
He asked me il | could cook. Thanks
to that course of lessons / once took
of Signor Silverspoon, was able to
answer yes. Then he told me that his