Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-11-28
UNCLE AARON
Or
A WIFE REDEEMED.
A Pathetic Story OF a Woman's
Folly and a Mans Heroism.
BY MRS. IsOBEL III. FLOYD.
copyright. 1891
CHAPTER ".

you'd come. Oh, father, father, fatherp
sobbed out the strong young fellow, broken
ly.
"My boy-my boy, / coined as soon as
got your letter. Has-hasn't she come backl"
"Backl" flashed Jacob, ''no l wouldn't
mind so mucl. II it wasn't for our little
Alice She's left her, father-our little
child Ohr' groaned the young fellow,
pacing the room in his agony, 'oh, that
never had seen heri Oh, that
''Stop, jacob Don't say that. She is your
wife, and your child's mother, and alters that
Is something to remember. Tell me, ;" he said,
laying down his old fashioned carpet sack
on a chair, and taking of his hat, "tell ne
how long sence she left yet"
1.-TWO weeks yesterday" groaned Jacob.
"Shes pretty, We sayl"
"Yes," gritted Jacob through his teeth,
'as flower. But, OBJ what was the use
Of my bringing you here, father. 1 was
Q selfish fool Such a journey-you are
tired, take of your coat-let me-ohl I am
mad, i think" throwing himself into
chair, and shaking with dry sobs.
"Where is shei" said Uncle Aaron.
"At the Bowery Theater."
"Actin'p'
"Yes,n
"What does she cali herselfl'
"Rose Clark"
"And-if l go there now I would find
herl" said the old man, slowly.
"You, father!" cried Jacob, jumping up;
''no, you mustn't go there; no, nop'
my lad,n said his father, deliberately,
picking up his hat, "rm a-goin' I'll find
the place, never fear; and I'll find her"
'But she will laugh in your face, father;
you don't know her. She has no more soul
than doll No, you mustn't go there to be
laughed at by that crew.
"1'm a-goin'," said Uncle Aaron, simply;
'wait here for me, lad" and putting on his
hat, ne went out. In extremity any straw
seems plank. Jacob, overwhelmed by his
agony, let him go.
Uncle Aaron, with his straightforward
directness, found the place he was in search
Of with Quickness to one strange to the
city, and was soon in front of the box-ofice.
~ want ticket,n he said.
''rhe gallery's good place for SEEING"
said the ticket agent, glancing knowingly at
his country clothes.
NO." said Uncle Aaron, simply; II want
good seat"
"Oh," smiled the man, tone dollar and
fifty cents, then, passing out check.
Uncle Aaron paid his money, took the
ticket, and for the first time in his life was
in theater. He took his seat, took UP
the programme and waited. No one of that
crowded house dreamed Of the tragic errand
that brought that old man there. With
difficulty he spelled out the names of the
cast Edith, daughter of the Squire-Rose
Clark" he read. That's her, l must wait"
In the course Of time she came upon the
stage-Rose Clark. The old man drew his
breath hard and looked at her. Yes, she
was charming, no doubt about that-and
charming not only on account Of her pretty
face, but charming with bird-like sauci-
ness that was piquant to all her hearers.
The old man looked and listened, studying
her voice and tricks OF gesture; and then,
with acunniug very foreign to his nature,
made up his mind that he would win her over
by,a strategem. AZ the end of the first act he
turned to a gentleman seated at his left and
asked; "Can you tell me, sir, how body
could get to speak to one of them there
sfore they leave the theaterW
The young fellow stared, but answered
"Oh, yes; go to the green-room just before
the last act"
switch be the way there, please"
"What did you asks How to get to the
green rooms If you wish will take you
there Acquained"
y
want to speak to-Rose Clark"
81 see," nodded the young scamp at his
side. ''She is jolly. Merry as bobolink
always. Ever soc her beforel"
"No," said Uncle Aaron, mot before to-
night"
an introduce you," smiled the young
fellow; 'wait until the next act is over"
"Thankee," said Uncle Aaron, simply.
Towards the close Of the play the young
fellow leaned over to Uncle Aaron and said:
"Come, I'm going now.'
Uncle Aaron picked up his hat and fol-
lowed him. The young fellow stepped into
q sort of side corridor and said: Gwen
have to wait minute-they haven't rung
the curtain down yet"
II kin watt" said Uncle Aaron.
"What a curious old fellow you are"
thought the young man, cycling him inquisi-
lively. Soon the actors came troopiRg OF
the stage with the alacrity of school boys
just let out of school.
"Ahi" said the young man, "here she is.
Miss Clark, this way moment, please,h
catching her by the arm aud stopping her
ALLOW me to introduce to you my friend,
Mr.-(ahem) Smith. He's anxious to make
your acquaintance.
The twinkling glance Of understanding
between the two was not lost on Uncle
Aaron, but he said, with an awkward sort of
bow: "Good evenin'. would like to speak
TO you, please"
"If it's any thing of private nature per-
haps I'd better DEPART said the young
fellow, his eyes dancing.
Uncle Aaron said, gravely: "Yes, it bees
private. sir. must see this young woman
alone"
Excuse me, SIR" smiled Rose, pleas
antly," but l have an engagement this
evening, and"
Eye don't go til / speaks TO ye," said I'm
Gle Aaron, firmly.
"You can speak before this gentleman,
then-hes q friend of NINE" said Rose,
somewhat haughtily.
II must see ye by yerself," persisted IN
Gle Aaron, earnestly.
"Siri you really must excuse me-" said
Rose; ~ have an engagement"
II come from yer husbandp' cried Uncle
Aaron, forgetting his strategem and every
thing else in his fear of losing her.
my husbands An! And who may you
be, sirm
"His father,n said the old man, simply.
Paling a little in spite Of all her rouge,
she smiled and said THAT makes some
difference. Harry" turning TO the young
fellow, "Tll see you presently-will you ex-
cuse US for Few momentsE
The young man bowed, and Rose, lead
ing the way from the stage wing where
they had been standing to the dressing
room, said; This way, sir, there is no one
here. Now, what is il you wsntl'
II want veto 60 back 10 yer husband"
Rose threw herself down in chair and
laughed and laughed. "And he sent you
here as deputyI Ohi-but he was wise not
20 come again himself Back to hint No
never, never, neverl want 70 live, tell
you. This Is the life for mel Gay, merry,
free-and ike living. And you came here
70 ask me to 60 back TO that dull tread-mill
again, did you'll ! tell you that / have
chosen my life-I will not 60 back 70 HIM
A jealous, exacting, romantic fooi-that ex-
poets q woman TO be saintl No, sir; will
never go back TO him-there's no use in
yr-r talking" said Rose, pushing back her
wsvy hair and beating her little slippered
foot inpatiently. II won't do iti'
Uncle Aaron looked at her, and with that
wDndTous sympathy OF his said, gently: