Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-26
UNCLE AARON !;
A WIFE REDEEMED.
= Pathetic Story Of . Woman's
Folly and Mans Heroasm.
BY MRS. IsOBEL II. FLOYD.
copyright, 1891
CHAPTER VI


Rose glanced up at him, shivered little,
ana he went on nervously punching holes
In the soft green moss. "See that calf
down there trying to poke ita nose through
into that other field? He don't see why
that fence is there-he can't see why. But
he wants to get on the 'tother side Of it.
the foolish critteri The field he's in now
has better fodder in tot, but he sees other
critters feeding over there and thinks
they're havin' better time than he il.
Human critters are very like him." went
on Uncle Aaron, half smiling; s'never salts
hed-never satisfied Now, child-ten me
the truth; are you satisfied with your life
nowP'
Rose flushed little but answered: "So,
lhave often been very lonely"
ssMy poor child,' said Uncle Aaron, SYM
pathetically, his big hand seeking hers, and
patting it gently. s'Go on, tell me Of tn
ell don't know what to tel, !" stammered
Rose. 81 am praised and fattered and ad-
mired, and at first it was delightful, but l
suppose I've either got used to it or some
thing-but now it don't seem to please me
as 1t used to do"
eyes," assented Uncle Aaron, Eye are too
good a woman to be happy away from yer
husband"
ST don't think that's it," said Rose, rails
ing her eyes at last and looking at him; 81
think the reason that am not happy is be-
cause want SOm0LuluS ucW.'
emo" said Uncle Aaron. shaking his
head. ssyou don't It's DUH thing to say,
child, but you want something Old. Old as
those hills yonder, and as strongi Obi
that was a scollard. and had the words in
my head for ye. Ye want to give more of
yerself away and then yen feel rich.
Some things grow by beng used. Ye want
to use the heart that's in ye-"
t'StopI" cried Rose, strangely stirred.
s'There's no heart in me. Pm not like you.
I've lived in the cities. Pm old and hard.
You judge me by yourself. You are wrong"
rising quickly to her feet and walking a few
steps away.
..Child,'' said Uncle Aaron, following her,
and placing two hands upon her shoulders,
<sgive, and We will be blessed"
Her beautiful eyes flashed back sudden
comprehension of his thought, and she felt
for the moment uplifted-inspired-w
to do what he wished, but in another
moment the reaction came, and she whis-
pered family: 81 would-but have nothing
to give"
Then Uncle Aaron smiled such a sweet
smile Of strong faith in her that she felt as
If an arm of strength had suddenly been
put about her. That smile said more than
words could Of sure hope and loving conf
dence. eye will trya" he said.
eyes," very slowly and very humbly,
shut am afraid. And besides, am 80
tired, so very tiredi I want some one-some
ONE bursting out suddenly into great
sobs, ''some one like you to comfort me-"
The light Of love upon Uncle Aaron's face
deepened. ''There, there, child I'll never
leave ye again; We shall have me to comfort
ye. All mel" signing with deep Joy, show
happy ber'
Rose raised her head up from the grass,
whereon she had thrown herself in her
abandonment, and looked at him. ''Happya"
she cried
eyes," he answered, smiling down at
her, s'for know that ye and my boy will
be happy once more"
"But perhaps" began Rose, with trem-
bling lips.
"Come," said Uncle Aaron, picking up
his hat and holding out his hand. "Coner'
They walked along hand In hand for some
Instance, and through Roses mind the
cords, sour Father which art in Heaven.
Our Father which art in Heaven" kept re-
peating themselves over continually. For
q few dazed moments she felt as if it was
He who had her by the hand. Then glanc-
ing up and seeing Uncle Aaron's great, but
very human form, a trembling realization
Of what she had agreed to do came over her.
sE'm afraid,'' she whispered.
Uncle Aaron grasped her hand still
tighter and answered: aye need not be,
child. Jacob has loved ye all this time"
Very humbly the beautiful head dropped
, again and a penitence that was complete
aled her soul.
They finally came into the town, and Rose
said gently: Twill you come to the
Mansion House and wait for mea''
t'No," said Uncle Aaron; II have to do
something for Matthew, ye know. I'll
,tend to that first, and send him word that
Fam going to New York to see Jacob.
He'd be wonderin,' ye see, If I didn't
come back"
This small but practical detail again
made Rose realize what a change was COM
ing to her life, and she trembled again. 81
forget every thing but my own miserable
SELF" she said, humbly. 81 will see my man
ager and resign my position. get my things
together. and whenever you are ready come
to the hotel and you will find me-"
every vel" said Uncle Aaron. 81 will
come by noon for ye, child"
He went his way and she went hers.
About twelve o'clock he called for her, and
they took the small boat across the river
to Rhinebecls, where the steamer awaited
them. Here Uncle Aaron sent telegram
to Jacob: "Rose and I are coming to you !;
0eet US in the city"
CHAPTER VII
Ghe clerk in the small office looked in
wonder at the old man who asked him to
Gen the message for Inn, saying, simply:
81 can not write, will ye send it to him2''
lucy usSu aOOub Two uOuTS W wall Oo1Or0
Vhe boat would start, and this same clerk
in about an hours time came out Of his
Office briskly hunting around with con-
siderable excitement for Uncle Aaron.
s'AhI here you are. Here's an answer" he
said, handing it to him.
eRead it, Rose" said Uncle Aaron. 81
can make out print, but not letter writing"
Rose took it, looking very white, but one
glance, after she had unfolded it, was
enough. She gave q low cry and burst
into tears. This astonished the brisk clerk
very much, who, knowing what was in the
telegram, didn't see any thing in it to cry
about. He stood wondering at her, until
Uncle Aaron. taking the crumpled paper
from her fingers, said to him: ssRead it to
me-"
cit says" said the clerk, in q business
like way: Thank God; win meet you
without fall Shall get the lady glass Of
water, sir1"
mo, thank ye," answered Uncle Aaron,
quitting his arm into that Of Rose, and
leading her down the slope towards the
boat; much obliged to ye.'
Queer old Dick" unused the brisk clerk,
looking after them. 81 suppose she's his
daughter. Shed be good looking il she
DIDN'T cry 80" Then. being Q practical