The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-07-24
THE WOODS, GARDEN PARTY.

RdIuen SeduS, bOlllS Ou bllo OiiiOh euiA -
a pretty garden. The garden belonge'
to uncle Ezekiel Wood. These chiidreI
had always lived in the small bricl
house next door to their uncle. The,
had lost their mother, and their fathe
depended much on uncle 'Zekers judg
ment.
Uncle 'Zekel was bachelor and yer,
particular Uncle 'Zekel wanted Re
becca to have painting lessons, wante'
Sallie to cultivate her voice, wante'
Randolph to 90 to college, wanted thos
youngsters, Bob and George, to hav
bicycles; but t,co things uncle 'Zekel di'
not want-sticks and children in hi
grass.
At the time of our story this neculia
old gentleman had left his trim whit
house and his white poodle in charge o
the housekeeper and had gone on
journey.
"You children must not bring you
traps in here" said Rebecca. "Oh
Randolph! Need Bob and George taI
around? Amy, darling, don't be nui
sance."
'The fact is, Miss Rebecca," struck il
young MI. Dobbs, your uncle is not my
ideal of perfection. Is this the way you
uncle wants a fellow to walk!"
Mr.. Dobbs tiptOed over the grass in the
most gingerly fashion, finally seating
himself at Rebecca's feet. II won't sit
hard,n he said, solemnly.
'You wouldn't sit long if uncle was
here" cried George. We don't sit OF
uncles grass when he's this side of the
Connecticut"
"Hush, nonsense! Upon my word
Georger'
Georges elder brother and sister
looked their disapproval of his speech.
"But it's the place fora garden party, "
said Mr.. Dobbs. son the Fourth, now.
Would the old gentleman mind?''
"Of course not" said Randolph.
"You may say it if you like, but you
can't make it true" said George.
This was favorite saying with
George.
George, l will write to uncle my
self" said Rebecca, "and ask him. But
we may not get the answer before the
Fourth, so we won't wait"
Lets have minuet and costumes" "
said young Mr.. Dobbs. Couldn't we
write the invitations now?"
That night the invitations were sent,
fathers objections silenced, the costumes
arranged, the minuets rehearsed.
"Would the old gentleman mind?" was
question often asked by Mr.. Dobbs
during the next week.
Young Mr.. Dobbs and Rebecca! What
wonders did they effect in uncle 'Zeke's
gardenl
First place for croquet was found |;
then Mr.. Dobb's attention was turned
to the need of a different arrangement
of the potted plants. REALLY, Miss
Rebecca," )" cried he, 1--WE cannot have
this stiff effect. Will the old gentleman
mind?n
Next came hammocks, then little
stand knocked up for the fiddles, then
the little stand to be decorated. In and
out, in and out of the gate went Bob and
George and Amy, watched ever by the
uneasy poodle. James, the gardener
was first astonishcd, then pleased, then
troubled, until, on the morning of the
Fourth, he had reached state of
nervous terror which he dared not dis
close TO Mr.. Dobbs and so vented on the
unlucky George.
Here, you there, sir! Not another
posy," he cried, as George stopped over
his best geraniums,
"'Tain't my fault" said George,
"They want to ill the foot-tub."
"Raskillm shouted the infuriated
James, shaking his spade.
1t was decided to fill the foot-tub with
daisies.
"What shall we ever do with
George this afternoon" cried the young
ladies.
Let him pass plates" said Mr.
Dobbs.
''Neverl"
"Help the lemonade"
"Dreadful! He's just a sieve, Mr.
Dobbs. Every tiresome little detail, ou
it pops. He going to be Capt. John
Smith, and he's sure to talk"
George provided hiyself with huge
mustache, pair of high boots, a broad.
brimmed hat, two old pistols and som,
firecrackeTs. He was pleased with thes'
arrangements, and arrayed himself {
full hour beforeEhe time.
'Now, George, do not let off thOsC
crackers on uncle's grass" said Re
: IIbeoca.
Haven't we been sitting on it, eating
peanuts, for week?" cried George
There come the fiddles."
George conducted the musicians Il
the stand.
"Uncle 'Zekel Would be mad if h
WIS HeIe, Hc eApldllCu' DuJ III
isn't, you see. Come and ee.the lemon
ade. You may drink over the edge, bu
don't use a glass. Rebecca says sh
won't wash glasses for me. Uncle
poodle is hiding in the cellar. Oh
ginger!"
This exclamation was caused by tn
entrance of Mr.. DObbs. Mr.. Dobbs wor
an air of unconcern, but he did not wea
he nanlrnl hot Iig n,llar xuA,tl
not permit its resting on his head.
cts jolly and shiny" said George
! alphabetically. Get Rebecca to tax
a tuck SOS you can move your neck"
I "Hush docs it look like fury? II
going down t. blow up that jew fellow
clear Outl'
4 This last remark was addressed, wit
4 a movement of the foot, to the poodl,
II who had ventured from the cellar. III
Il poodle retreated but not without pr,
Il test which continued at regular int
u walls during the afternoon. 1t SCENE
L best to admit the guests through uncle
}. house, and Bob, dressed as auIndial
and painted by Mr.. DObbs himself, WI
stationed in the front street to show I'll
way.
Z The first to arrive were ladies, an
they demanded dressing room. TIL;
had been forgotten. There was no dres
ing room. But Bob was equal to Il
occasion. He threw open his uncle
study. Soon uncle 'Iekers study WI
full OF old-fashioned yOungladies and II
dining-room full of ancient your
gentlemen, music struck up
his garden, while an Indii
stood guard at his front door,
Rebecca received her guests as Lad
Washington. Randolph was the gener;
Amy. representing Pocahontas, sto,
beneath a. bower of flowers, holdil
bows and arrows for the archers. Sail
was to superintend the croquet. b
where was the inventor of all this? ri
minuet could not 90 on without hiI
Where was Mr.. Dobbs?''
"Its his coat" explained Georg
sit fitted clear over his head"
George" said Rebecca, ,sternly, "tal
off your mustache and go and find NJ
Dobbs."
George was unwilling TO go. He II
as fast as he could, but it was growil
very warm and his high boots did n
make running easy. At one crossi
he was obliged TO stop for a hack
pass. A familiar face looked out of t
hack, which came to a sudden stan
; still.
n, George" said uncle 'Zekel, ''wh
have you got on your head2"
"It's yours" said George, "Twas
your garret,"
"Youare very conspicuous" said unt
-O Ezekiel "Get in"
10 George soon found himself ridi
,v towards home.
~ "Oh, crackityl thought Geor,
"Only three blocks more"
Nd cts awful hot" said George alou
IN "Want some soda, uncle2i
George knew his uncles weakness I
. soda water.
"Driver. Rand's drug store - "a