The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-01-31

and his affairs. Cousin Parker-er-
won't you tell us how you are doing this
year,"
1t appeared that Cousin Parker swal-
lowed great swallow. and his Adams
apple rose and fell without any audible
response.
"Come forward" beamed Abram Tas-
kor, kindly; and, as if to suit action to
his words, Abram, who was huge.
kindly old soul, with an enormous
strength of arm, advanced, and, with
out intending it. lifted Cousin Parker
bodily out into the center of the Tasker
semicircle, and set him down. There
was subdued murmur among all the
Taskers, as to the proba bility, from his
shabby aud generally unkempt appear
ance, that the fund to be raised this
year would have to be unusually large.
IL feel very thankful-for the
past" was what Cousin Parker whis-
pered feebly, so that Abram, who stood
by him protectingly, leaned his great
ear down and alone heard him.
''He feels thankful for the past" roar
ed Abram, with a kindly, encouraging
smile for poor Cousin Parker.
'Oh. he feels thankful for the past,
does hep exclaimed Miss Perkins.
"Well, land! should think he ought.
Why, he's had money every year-alto-
gether, two or three thousand dollars at
least"
"He's expectin' change for the fu-
tur'!'' called out Abram. "A big change.
He's awful hopeful
A smile of pity went around among
all the Taskers present. Mrs. New
York Tasker. as it was a warm day,
held her vinaigrette to her nose, and
complained a little of feeling faint.
The dismal photographs hung about the
wall in black frames, She said, gave her
quite turn. They were photographs
of deceased Taskers, standing up, man
and wife together, very stiff and
straight. holding on to chairs for dear
life. or leaning an elbow upon romantic
Italian scenery, or Venetian balus-
trade. The hair-cloth sofas and chairs,
too. were rather awe-inspiring. Much
as Mrs. New York Tasker admired the
family into which she had married, she
admitted that they were, some of them.
very odd country-people. And this poor
Cousin Parker! What an oddity he was,
to be sure!
''He has tried next to every thing to
get on" went on Abram, the mouth
piece, after a prolonged listening to
Cousin Parkcr's whisper. HE went
West an tried to grow up with the
country. But be didn't stay long enough
to grow. he started a newspaper, but
he took the wrong side in politics. an
got fred. Then he fined the circus and
Figured as the hind legs of an eller-
phunt; but the folks got on to his dis
guise, he says, an they kinder fired
rocks at him. an so he cum back home
to Mis- Parker an the nine children
kinder hopeless. But his hope picked
up when we as a family cum forward an
let him have two hvndred dollars last
year. Thet started him up again inven-
tin, and he ulster sit up at nights he
says, hopin' an inventin'."
Miss Perkins gave sniff. Other
Taskers present probably rould have
shifted had not the prim New England
spinster kindly done it for them.
Then, again, there was whisper.
"He says he has at larst finally turned
inventor, an is goin' to make it his
business" roared Abram, still leaning
down to Cousin Parker. Immediately
there was a buzz of loud protestation
from every right-minded Tasker pres
ent.
HE says he again wishes to say that
in the past he has had very hard luck"
roared Abram again.
ASK him if he thinks if he should
turn to and do little work now and
then by accident his luck wouldn't
change" said Miss Perkins, sharply.
Cousin Parker gave her such a sad, be-
seeching look that she wished she had
kept quiet. Miss Perkins did not wish
it to he understood that she was heart
less: but it made her very impatient to
take hold of Cousin Parker and shake
him. Oh that she could have him under
her charge for time at Newburyport
She would get this inventor nonsense
out of him! Yes, indeed!
Abrams ear was SO long near Cousin
Parker's mouth that the Taskers knew
interesting was coming. At
last he roared: "He says he's got smart
partner. The smart partner has sold
one of his inventions for him. His
name is Ephraim Shouter. He comes
from family of lawyers"
depend upon it, then. the smart part
ner has got all the money. and Cousin
Parker has got the experience" said the
New York Tasker, with wise shake of
the head.
He says the invention was sold to the
Stannard lie Company, fer-ter 1kut,
Cousin Parker?"
A further inaudible whisper, after
which Cousin Parker looked more sheep
ish and more crestfallen than ever.
Every Tasker in the room leaned for
ward with interest.
''Fer-I can't believe it-fer two
hundred thousand dollars" roared
Abram.
A great sensation.
Two hundred thousand dollars: and
the smart partner took hundred an
an'-an' seventy-five thousand for his
fee, an'-gave him twenty-five. He says
he wants to pay up his debts to the Tas-
ker family"
For the space of two minutes there
was perfect silence. Not a Tasker
spoke or moved. Finally Miss Perkins
said:
II Railways believed that there was
great deal 10 Cousin Parker"
Cousin Parker SUNK back to his seat,
very much overcome with self-conscious-
ness, while the ladies fell to discussing
him before his face as if he were alb
sent.
HE has been greatly abused,' said