Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-07-18
Uncle Gilbert: or. irs Port at Last.

Some sweetness in the little girls
voice, selling flowers, caused Captain
Tracy TO stop and buy all she had. He
had some conversation with her and
found out her name was Sybil More,
and made note of the address in his
pocketbook.
There Is something familiar-in that
child's face, =" he said TO his companion
as they passed on "Sybll is one Cf
our family names. 1 wonder if there is
anything in IT."
- noticed a resemblance, too, to
some one.' said the younger man.
1--WE VIII call on her family later and
find some clew to the mystery"
In the meantime Sybil had returned
home well pleased with her first days
experience in selling flowers. Her
invalid father was asleep when she
came in, but the mother, who knew
how slender their store of saving had
become, WAS glad of the little money
the sale OF the flowers had brought.
She had had many doubts about letting
her little daughter sell flowers in the
streets, but SybiI was so anxious to do
something to help along that she had
reluctantly consented at last.
They were in the midst OF a conver
sation about the incidents of the days
when a rap interrupted them. Sybl
was confronted when she opened the
door by the two gentlemen who had
purchased her stock in the morning.
sis your mother in, little one?7
asked the captain, and when Mrs.
Moore stepped forward they stood for
some minutes regarding each other
steadily.
The captain was the first TO speak.
'tAlicel Don't you know me?''
His voice told her that her surmise
was indeed true.
"Gilbertl my brotherl Thank God
for this day! The sea has rendered vi
its deadI"
Even in the great joy which had
come to her the first thought of heI
heart was one of intense thankfulness
to her Creator. Tears also welled from
their crystal founts as she listened To
the beloved voice, bringing back the
happy memories or her sunny childhood.
Sybil stood like one IN a dreaml
Could it be the Uncle Gilbert OF whom
she had heard mother talk so often,
but whom all thought sleeping in an
ocean gravel
She was not long left in doubt, for
she was caught up in his strong arms
and kissed as though she had been a
baby instead of a well-grown girl oi
fourteen.
Uncle Gilbert had hungered too long
for the touch of kindred hand to
stand upon ceremony. At last lie re.
leased her; and as she stood crimson
with bushes, yet beaming with joy,
he put out "A hand and drew Roland
! forward.
Heres a cousin for you, my little
Sybil, though not blood relation. /
picked him up when little shaver,
and we've held company ever since.
Bad day for you, ehP" turning TO the
young man. "Nose out of Joint
Never mind. You'll have share of
old uncle's money"
The boy answered proudly:
I'm nearly of age, Uncle Gilbert,
and a man can take care OF himself.
Give all to Miss Sybil."
That's right, youngster; l like
your spirit. It's good to have head
piece capable of steering your own
ship, and I'll allow you have one.
Still, it's good to have port to anchor
in, too. What says my nIecep There's
enough for you both"
But Sybil was mute. She could not
have spoken a word to save her life,
for Roland's bright eyes were fixed
upon her with an expression that made
her heart futter like a frightened bird.
but, Gilbert, you have not seen my
husband. Come, It will do him good
TO See your cheerful face.''
So they went together TO his bedside,
and the warm-hearted captains SYM
pathy found vent in devislng plans
for the invalid's benefit, change of air
and scene beng among the first sug-
gestiODs.
I "For Pm a rich man, Ahce." he
said, "wIthout wife or child, and Pm
going to adopt your family. 1t was
that pretty face of yours, little Sybil,
that led your old uncle here"
"How, Uncle GIlbertI" she whis-
pered shyly. stealing a hand in one of
his.
Captain Tracy opened a locket at
tached to his watch chain. 1t contained
miniature in ivory of an exquisite
flower like face, as like to SyBil as
though it had been painted for her.
/ "By the guidance of One who rules
all, ;" said he reverently, this picture,
and Roland's notice of your singular
resemblance to 1t told me story of
hope once more and led me here. 70.
land knew that / had lost sight of
my only sister during the long interval
that elapsed after | was shipwrecked,
before J. was able TO send word home.
| He knew also that when l last saw
her she looked as though this portrait
might have been taken for a twin SIS
/ ter, instead or her mother. And ever
Since we came into port We have been
on the lookout for a clew. Thanks to
/ ROland's young eyes, we have found
/ it,"
! 1t was happy family that gathered
In the modest dwelling that evening,
and 1t was only the prelude TO the fu-
ture.
Captain Tracy carried out his IN
tentions towards the invalid. and
under the influence of such hearty
kindness he recovered, and was able
once more to attend to business.
In few years time there was a
quiet wedding in the family. Uncle
GiIbert's two pets-Sybil and Roland
from their first meeting, had COM
menced to con that s'old, old story
which is still so magically new 10
every student of Its lore; and, like all
other of loves votaries, they found
their dearest JOY in each others pres
ence.
So, after all, Uncle Gilbert's money
was not divided.
!
Cuba's Upper and Lower Ten.