Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-24
No proposition Euclid wrote
THE WOODS GARDEN PARTY.

The young Woods and their friend, Mr..
D0bbs, were sitting. some on rustic gar
den seats some on the thick turf, In d
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 farther depended much
on Uncle Zekel's Judgment
Uncle Zekel was a bachelor, and very
particular. Uncle Zeke wanted Rebecca
to have painting lessons, wanted SaIIie 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 WATERSHEDS
and children ON 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 housebeepcr and had gone on a jour
ney.
You children must not bring your traps
in here. " said Rebecca. 'Oh, Randolph!
Need Bob and George tag around? 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 a Fellow to walk?'
Mr. Dobbs tiptoed over the grass in the
most gingerly fashion, finally seating HIM
self at Rebecca' feet. Il won't sit hard, y
he said solemnly,
You wouldn't sit long, if Uncle was
here, cried George We don't sit on
Uncle grass when he's this side of the
Connecticut
Hush! Nonsense! Upon my word,
George!"
Georges elder brother and sister looked
their dlsapproval at this speech.
But it's the place for a garden party, ;"
said Mr.. Dobbs. ION the Fourth, now !
Would the old gentleman mind?"
"Of course not, said Randolph.
You may say it if you like, but you
can make 1t true. said George.
This was fayorite saying with George
George, | will write to uncle myself -
said Rebecca, land ask him. But we
may not gel the answer before the Fourth,
so we won't wait.
Let have a minuet and costumes, ;"
said young Mr.. Dobbs. Couldn't we
write the invitations now?'
That night the invitations were sent,
and fathers objection siIenced, and
the costumes arranged, the minuet re-
hedrsed-
Would the old gentleman mind?" was
question often asked by Mr. Dobbs dur
ing the next week.
Young Mr. Dobbs and Rebecca! What
wonders did they effect in Uncle Zekels
garden!
First, place for croquet was found;
then Mr.. Dobbs's attention was turned
to the need of a different arrangement
of the potted plants. Really, Miss Re-
becca!' cried he, 1--WE cannot have
this stiff effect. Will the old gentleman
mind?'
Next came bammocks, then stand
knocked up for the fiddles, then the little
stand to be decorated. in and out. in
and cut the gate, went Bob, and George
and Amy watched ever by the uneasy
poodle. James, the gardener was first as
tonished, then pleased, then troubled, I'M
til ON the morning of the Fourth he had
reached 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 Infatuated James,
shaking his spade.
1t was decided to fill the foot-tubs with
daisies.
What shall we ever do with George
this afternoon?' cried all the young
let him pass plates, said young Mr..
Dobbs
"Neverl"
Help the lemonade"
dreadful! He 5 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"
George provided himself with a huge
mustache. pair of high boots, broad
trimmed hat, two old pistols, and some
fire crackers. He was pleased with these
arrangements, and arrayed himself q full
hour before the time.
Now, George, please do not let off those
crackers on Unce's grass" said Rebec-
ca.
'Haven't VIC been sitting on it, eat
ing peanuts for week?' cried George
Here come the fddlers.'
George conducted the musicians to their
stand.
''Uncle Zekel would DC mad if he were
here, he explained But he isn't you
see. Come and see the lemonade You
may drink over the eoge. but don't use a
glass. Rebecca says she won't wash glass
es for me. Uncle's poodle is hiding in the
cellar. Oh, ginger"
This exclamation was caused by the ap-
pearance of Mr.. Dobbs Mr.. Dobbs wore
an air of unconcern, but he did not wear
his cooked hat. His coat collar would not
rarnit IFS raISInU on his head
Its jolly and shiny said George,
sympathetically. "Get Rebecca to take a
tuck SOS you can move your neck.
Hush!-does it look like fury? I'm 60
ing down to blow up that Jew fellow
clear Quit
This last remark was addressed with a
movement of the foot. to the poodle, who
had ventured from the cellar The poodle
retreated. but not without protest, which
continued at regular intervals during the
afternoon 1t seemed best to admit the
guests through uncle's house, and BOB.
dressed as an Indian, and painted up by
Mr. Dobbs himself, was stationed in the
front street to show the way.
The first to arrive were ladies, and they
demanded a dressing room. That had
been forgotten There was no dressing.
room. But Bob was equal to the occasion
He threw open his uncle's study. Soon
Uncle's Zekel's study was full of old-fash.
Toned young ladies, his dining room full
of ancient young gentlemen, music struck
up in his garden, while an Indian stood
guard at his front door,
Rebecca received her guests as Lady