Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-09-02
THE WOODS GARDEN PARTY

garden SeaUS, some on the tllCk tuiAs III
q pretty garden. The garden belonged
to Uncle Ezekiel Wood. These chill
dren had always lived in the small brick
house next door to their uncle. They
had lost their mother, and their father
depended much on Uncle 'Zekel's judg-
ment.
Uncle 'Zekel was bachelor. and very
particular. Uncle 'Zekel wanted Re
becca to have painting lessons, wanted
Sallie to cultivate her voice, wanted Ram
dolph to go to college, wanted those
youngsters, Bob and George, to have
bicycles; but two things Uncle 'Zekel
did not want--sticks and children in his
grass.
At the time of our story this peculiar
old gentleman had left his trim white
house and his white poodle in charge of
the housekeeper and had gone on jour
ney.
"You children must not bring your
traps in here, said Rsbecca. @Oh, Ram
dolphl Need Bob and George tag round?
Amy, darling. don't be nuisance.
"The fact is, Miss Rebecca, struck in
young Mr. Dobbs, "your uncle is not my
ideal of perfection. Is this the way your
uncle wants fellow to walk?"
Mr.. Dobbs tiptoed over the grass in
the most gingerly fashion, finally seat
ing himself at Rebecca's feet Il won't
sit hard, /" he said solemnly.
"You wouldn't sit long if uncle was
here, cried George. @We don't sit on
uncle's grass when he's this side of the
Connecticut.
@Hushi Nonsensel Upon my word,
Georgel"
Georges elder brother and sister
looked their disapproval of his speech.
"But it's the place fora garden party,
said Mr. Dobbs. "On the Fourth, nowl
would the old gentleman mind?"
sOf course not, said Randolph.
@You may say il if you like, but you
can't make it true, said George.
This was favorite saying with George.
George, will write to uncle my
self, +" said Rebecca, sand 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 minuet rehearsed.
would the old gentleman mind?" was
q question often asked by Mr.. Dobbs
during the next week.
Young Mr.. Dobbs and Rebeccal What
wonders did they effect in Uncle 'Zekers
gardenI
First, place for croquet was found;
then Mr.. Dobbs's attention was turned
to the need of different arrangement
of the potted plants. Really, Miss Re-
becca, cried he, 1--WE can not have this
stiff effect. Will the old gentleman
mindS"
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 gar
dener, was first astonished, then pleased,
then troubled, until, on the morning of
the Fourth, he had reached a state Of
nervous terror which he dared not dis
close to Mr.. Dobbs and so vented on the
unlucky George.
aHere, you there, sirl Not another
posy, he cried, as George stopped over
his best geraniums.
@'Tain't my bIame," said George.
.They want to fill the foot tub.
"Raskilll" shouted the infuriated
James, shaking his spade.
1t was decided to fill the foot tub with
daisies
@What shall we ever do VITA George
this afternoon?" cried the young ladies.
@Let him pass plates, said Mr.. Dobbs
sNeverl"
@Help the lemonade.
Dreadful He's Just a sieve, Mr..
Dobbs. Every tiresome little detail out
it pops. He's going to be Captain John
Smith, and he's sure to talk.
George provided himself with huge
mustache, pair Of high boots, broad
brimmed hat, two old pistols, and some
firecrackerz He was pleased with these
arrangements and arrayed himself full
hour before the time.
@Now, George, do not let of those
crackers on uncle's grass, said Rebecca.
Haven't we been sitting on it, eating
peanuts, for a weekS" cried George.
Here come the fiddles.
George conducted the musicians to their
stand
@Uncle 'Zelxel would be mad If he
were here, he explained. But he isn't,
you see. Come and see the lemonade.
You may drink over the edge, but don't
use a glass Kebecca says sne won't
wash glasses for me. UncIe's poodle is
hiding IN the cellar. Oh, gingerl"
J. This exclamation was caused by the
appearance Of Mr.. Dobbs- Mr.. Dobbs
wore an air of unconcern, but lie did
not wear his cooked hat His coat collar
would not permit its resting on his head.
It's jolly and shiny. said George. SYM
pathetically. Get Rebecca to take
tuck SOS you can move your neck
-Hush docs it look like fury? I'm
going down to blow up that jew fellow
IL Ts4x.-~ x.r.fg@