Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-06-19
HIS UNCLE MARTIN.
BY EMMA A. oPPER.

"No," said Willis, 81 can't go, Min
ME. I've got to take my Uncle Martin
driving in the park. My father asked me
tor
"Can't go to the orchid show9" cried
Minnie. Being Willis betrothed and a
lively girl, she had invited him to take
her, since he had not offered. "Willis
Starrl'
"Can't help it," said Willis, ruefully.
'I'm in for a drive with Uncle Martin"
Minnie pouted.
swell, she said, in her pretty, spoiled
tones, Il can go with papa, suppose.
/ shan't see you till to morrow afternoon,
then, at Mrs. Bradley's crush-tea9"
Willis closed his eyes in humorous
despair.
Minnie" he said, ''I can't go to it.
Uncle Martin wants to see the Statue of
Liberty tomorrow afternoon, and I've
got to take him. Father doesn't feel
equal to snch iaunt."
''Willisp cried Minnie. She was more
than pouting now; her black eyes looked
angry. "Devoting all your time to him
For mercy's sake, what's he likee
Where's he from9
She was haughtily frowning.
Willis quaked, but his sense of humor
helped him through.
He responded mildly:
t'My Uncle Martin Starr is from West
Montville, Hill County-a village of some
eight hundred inhabitants. He has a
large property, and is a good-hearted,
intelligent and agreeable old gentleman.
But he wears cowhide boots and a rather
battered soft felt hat. He says, wal,
you don't say2' or, 4 want to know9'
and he eats lettuce with fork, and
doesn't know what his fnger-bowl is
for"
Minnie rose with sharp little laugh,
which was mirthless.
'.Thc bare ideal' she cried, indig-
nantly. 'How dreadful! And to think
of your having to give yourself up to him
in this wayl It's too exasperating!"
''We want him to enjoy himself, YOU
know" said Willis, with his pleasant
smile.
Willis Starr was not all selfshness.
every well; if you wish, stay away
from me altogether for the sake of q
ridiculous old man from the country !''
Minnie snapped.
Naturally she was ashamed of herself
after this speech, and truce was estab-
lished after fashion.
He promised to send her bunch of
datfodils to wear to the orchid show, and
a box OF bon-bons the bargain.
When he went away, Minnie took him
to the door, and was all smiles once more
and brilliantly pretty.
Nevertheless Willis walked away
thoughtfully, whistling soberly.
He wondered how Grace Hallam would
have taken those little disappointments
---how she would have looked upon his
Uncle Martin-how she would have
behaved altogether in such case!
Grace Hallam and Minnie Coles had
two points in common, and two only
both were charmingly pretty, and both
were rich girls. Otherwise they were
such different Styles that everybody
had marvelcd when Willis Starr had,
upon his recent return from abroad and
his entranceinto his mothers fashionable
set, been attracted by them both and
puzzled between them.
lie had, in truth, behaved as honest
young men have behaved before him
sent candy to Minnie and called on Grace,
fiirted with Minnie at the dances and
walked home from church with Grace,
presented Minnie with expensively quaint
Is Iyv1Jn III lyt,o oolyc f,,I
of the poets to Grace.
OF course there had come climax. At
the cotillion which his mother had given,
three weeks ago, Willis had led with
sweet Grace Hallam, and the interested
onlookers had said with relief that that
affair was settled at last.
But finding Minnie Coles alone in q
nook in the fowery hall, little later,
looking in her pouting displeasure and
vexed hauteur, far prettier than he had
ever seen her, Willis had first taken her
soft hand, then recklessly flung an arm
around her and sworn that he loved her.
And the engagement being announced,
the eager multitude had suffered shock
of surprise and slowly readjusted itself,
as eager multitudes can.
And Minnie Coles had reared her pretty
head in triumph, for Willis Starr was a
sscatch;n and Grace Hallam had gently
congratulated him, and wished Minnie
all happiness.
Yes, Willis was thinking of Grace as
he walked home
He took his Uncle Martin driving in
the park, next morning, as per agree
ment.
The STAIRS lived in Gramercy Place,
and Willis had turned his yellow dog
cart from Fifth Avenue through Twenty
third Street, and was turning down
Fourth Avenue, when his Uncle Martin
caught his arm. #
"What's thataa hequeried. Uncle Mar