Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-24

off your mustache, and go and find Mr..
Dobbs."
George was unwilling to go. He ran as
fast as he could, but it was growing very
warm, and his high boots did not make
running easy. At one crossing he was
obliged 10 stop for a hack to pass. A
| familiar face looked out Of the hack, which
came to d sudden stand-still.
George, said Uncle Zekel, what have
you got on your head :"
It's yours, said George. Twas in
your garnet
You are very conspicuous said Uncle
Ezekiel. Get in
George soon found himself riding to-
ward home.
"Oh, crackity!'' thought George. only
three blocks more.
Its awful hot said George aloud.
want some soda, uncle?
George knew his uncle's weakness Tor
soda water.
Driver. Rand's drug store" said Uncle
Zahel "If your clothing were less peculiar,
George, you might have some. But not
now, sir, not now.
II couldn't swaIler,' said George.
why not?''
81 couldn't. Did you get Rebecca' s let
ter?'
No sir; l got no letter. In what way
IS a letter connected with your sore
! throat?"
1T tells"
Upon my world"
Children are care, sir, - said Uncle
| Ezekiel addressing the druggist over his
glass Of soda.
HE, he! They have been a-goin. sir.
| Yes, they have so, burst out the druggist.
1T nature, Mr.. Wood
| Here the druggists attention became
absorbed out the window Uncle ZekeI,
| turning, saw a short young man in light
blue stockings and linnen buster stand
ing at the door of his hack ct was Mr.
| Dobbs) Uncle Zekel stepped out.
Thunder and Iightning!' he heard
the young man say, and the heavens i'm
medlately answered with a resounding
| peal of thunder. Now if there was one
thing that made Uncle Zekel nervous it
! was a thunder storm.
What do you mean he said to his
nephew, talking to a rascally, swearing
/ actor! You, sir stand out Of my way, ~
and Uncle Zekel slammed the carriage
door in Mr.. Dobbs's face and drove off.
George settled back in his corner. and
| fixed his eyes resi- gnedly on the curtain tas-
sci.
! Crash, bang went the thunder. and little
! dashes of wind, and little dashes of rain,
and tongues OF tightening came and went
until with a rush, the torrents descended,
and blotted out the world.
II hope the poodle is in, unused Uncle
Tekel. Il shall speak to your father,
George, about your peculiar conduct, an
the company in which | found you
AS he spoke he produced plated neck
scarf from his vallce. Put this around
your neck.
Il shan t. hlurted out George.
There some people at your house.
Just then the carriage drew up to Uncle
Zekel's door. 1t stood Hospitality open
and the hall was filled with gayer assem-
bly, than had ever graced its precincts be-
fore. Niolins were playing, there was
laughing, eXclamlng, a perfect hubbub in
the quiet old place.
I've saved the lemonade, George"
shouted the Indian. OH He dropped
the lemonade, punch bowl and all upon
the ground.
There was sudden hush.
Uncle Zektl looked about him. Pray
continue to enjoy yourselves he said
huskily, and selecting an umbrella from
the rack, he stepped into the rain.
''We'd better go, said one and an
other
"Wait till after the Storm" said Re
becca, calmly. How can we get the
carriage?'
Send George
Never! Haven't we sent him once?"
Rebecca burst into tears.
Darling Rebecca!' said the girls
George, how could you make her cry?'
at wos a detestibe trick, George"
''ro bring him in a hack!'
You are smart George, " said Ran
dolph. sternly but a college man would
scorn thing like that. ~"
You may say it if you like" hummed
George, as he turned to the back-door
There were tears in his eyes Even Amy
blamed him, and come to think of it. he
was always blamed. He looked hlandly
at the ruined decors tion in the garden, at
the dripping flags, the salad left out in the
rain, the plates, the forlorn lanterns He
heard Mr.. Dobbs's voice in the hall. "A
rascally, swearing actor" Mr.. Dobbs was
saying. A three. cornered smile squeezed
itself into George face Mr.. Dobbs was
so funny In his dripping blue satin, so
courageous, so gay. that had George turn
ed to look at him his anger must have
vanished. But be would not turn. He
sneaked down the cellar stairs and sat
down on a barrel facing the poodle.
Il wish was a poodle, sollloquized
George. mo brothers. No sisters. It's
easy easy, easy all the time"
The poodle whined.
Il say it 49, said George. Its easy,
easy. easy all the time.
George. said a voice from the dark
ness. come here
"Oh crackity!' murmured George.
He found his uncle seated on a broken
chair before the furnace door
George, there is a great change of tenn
perature. shall light fie.'
Yes, Sill"
Get the kindlers'
just then the music struck up over their
heads. and MIR. Doobs's voice could be
clearly heard.
Bow to partners, said Mr. Dobbs.
First couple forward and back. ~
There's paper in the ash-barrel,' said
Uncle 'ZekeI. Il have the Matches
| Ladies to the right"
! eff you were to exchange with the
poodle, George"
! (''Turn partners.
1T would be bad thing, Sinking
thing"
| (.'Gentlemen to the center.'')
''Is the actor upstairs?'
Hes Mr.. Dobbs, said George
("Uhassee all.
"Dobbs. Bobbs. Cobbs, he's rascal
sir" cried excited Uncle.
'.Sav If If Won like - said Georpe cts