News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1890-07-31
The Woods Garden Party.

The young Woods and their friend,
Mr.. Dobbs, were sitting, some on rus
tic garden seats, some on the thick
turf, in a pretty garden. The garden
belonged to uncle Ezekiel Wood.
These children 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 judgment.
Uncle 'Zekel was a bachelor, and
very particular Uncle Zekel wanted
Rebecca to have painting lessons,
wanted Sallie to cultivate her voice,
wanted Randolph 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 pecul-
lar old gentleman had left his trim
white house and his white poodle in
charge of the housekeeper and gone
on a journey.
"You children must not bring your
traps in here" said Rebecca. ''Oh,
Randolph Need Bob and George tag
round? Amy. darling, don't be a nui
sance"
"The fact is, Miss Rebecca," struck
in young Mr.. Dobbs, "your uncle is
not my ideal of perfection. Is this
the way he wants fellow to walk ?"
Mr.. Dobbs tiptoed over the grass in
the most gingerly fashion, finally
seating himself at Rebecca's feet Il
won't sit hard, he said, sOlemnly
"You wouldn't sitIong if uncle was
here, cried George. "We don sit on
unele,s grass when he's this side of the
Connecticut"
g Hush Nonsensel Uponmy word,
Georgel'
Georges elder brother and sister
looked their disapproval of his
speech.
"But it's the place for a garden
party" said Mr.. Dobbs. "On the
Fourth, now! Would the old gentle
man mind
"Of course not, )" said Randolph.
You may say it if you like, but
you can't make it true" said George
This was "a favorite saying with
George.
George, / will write to uncle my
SELF" said Rebecca, "and ask him.
But we may not get the answer be-
fore the Fourth, so we won't wait. y
Lets have a minuet and cos
tumes,' 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 re-
hearsed.
"Would the old gentleman mind Z"
was a question often asked by Mr.,
Dobbs during the next week.
Young Mr.. Dobbs and Rebecca! !!
What wonders did they effect in uncle
'Zekels garden
First q place for rcroquet was found !;
then Mr.. Dobbs' attention was turn
ed to the need of different arrange
ment of the potted plants. Really,
Miss Rebecca," cried he. eve cannot
have this stiff effect. VIII the old
gentleman mind ~
Next came hammpcks, then little
stand knocked pfor 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 gardner, was first astOniShed, then
pleased, then troubled, until on the
morning of the Fourth, he had reach
ed state of nervous terror which he
dared not disclose 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 blame," said George
"They want to fill the foot-tub.'
"Raskill!" shouted the infuriated
James, shaking his spade.
1t was decided to fill the foot-tub
with daisies.
"What shall weever do with George
this afternoon?" cried the young la
dies.
Let him pass plates said Mr..
| Dobbs.
"Neverl"
"Help the lemonade"
Dreadful He's just a sieve, Mr..
Dobbs Every tiresome little detail,
out it pops. He's going to be Capt.
John Smith, and he's sure to talk. F"
George provided himself with a
huge mustache, a pair of high
boots, broad -brimmed hat, two old
pistols and some firecrackers. He
was pleased with these arrangements
and arrayed himself a full hour before
the time,
"Now, George, do not let off those
crackers on uncle's grass" said Re
| beccR,
Haven't we been sitting on 1t,
eating peanuts, for a week?" cried
George. Here comes the fiddles.'
George conducted the musicians to
their stand.
"Uncle 'Zekel would be mad if he
were here" he explained. But he
isn't you see. Come and see the lem
onade. You may drink over the
edge, but don't use a glass. Rebecca
says she won't wash glasses for me
Uncle's poodle is hiding in the cellar
Oh, ginger!"
This exclamation was caused by
the appearance of Mr.. Dobbs. Mr.
Dobbs wore an air of unconcern, but
he did not wear his cooked hat. His
coat collar would notpermit its rest
ing on his head.