The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-11-28

husky voice answered me from the pill
lows.
IL amt long for this world. Joseph.
Please to take a chair"
Now, for the last ten years, l knew
perfectly we'll that my Uncle John had
been in the habit of replying TO my
fathers inquiries after his health in
these very words. At first hadn't been
able to see my Uncle John, but as my
eyes grew accustomed to the dim relig-
ious light of my uncle's bedroom, per-
ceived that my Uncle John was as my
father had described him, venerable
old man, all white hair aud spectacies.
wearing a tapped cap.
MY sisters sent their duty and re-
spects, sir" l said.
And then my uncle gave sort of
grunt.
Don't you find the room little dark,
Uncle john" remarked.
Its on account of my poor eyes," re-
piled my Uncle John, in the hoarse
whisper that seemed habitual with him,
"that's why I'm forced to wear these
green spectacles," he said
4
my uncle's weakness of vision.
Then there was long silence, which
was broken by my Uncle John.
You amt thinking of marrying, 10
seph, are your" said my uncle.
"Why, bless me, no, uncle, replied.
"Ive only thirty shillings a week, and
there are four of us"
"But if she was an heiress, Joseph?'
croaked my uncle.
I'm open to an heiress," l replied.
THAT was likely girl that opened the
door for you, Nephew Joseph" said my
Uncle John. ''Tm very fond of that
likely girl" lie went on, "and she's an
heiress," added my uncle mysteriously,
land she's sort of girl as 'ud make
any young man happy"
l didn't quite see how the slatternly
girl was calculated to make any young
man happy, but remembered that she
was my mcle's stepdaughter; so re-
marked namely. "She's spanking young
woman, sir"
She's all that, nephew" croaked out
my uncle. She's the very image of her
blessed mother, and look how happy
that woman has made me. Don't you
think you'd like to walk out with her,
Nephew Joseph? Don't you think you'd
like to take her 10 the Crystal Palace?'
said the tempter, my uncle.
"One can't afford to take girls to the
Crystal Palace, uncle" / replied, ION
thirty shillings a week"
But suppose | was to stand Sam,
said my uncle. "Joseph, " continued my
uncle mysteriously, she's a-puttin' or
her Sunday clothes. You wait till you
see her when she's dressed"
Here was horrible situation. Ny
uncle was about TO propose that | should
take the slatternly girl TO the Crystal
Palace in lier Sunday clothes, and all the
time | was engaged to Sophia but
didn't dare to say anything about Sophia
to my Uncle John.
"That likely girl that's dressin' her
self for you. Nephew Joseph, in the next
room, il have POO golden sufferings the
day she marries, and I've been saving her
up for YOU. Nephew Joseph, ever since
my wedding day. There's e5 note on
the mantel for you, Joseph, and there's
a suffering inside. Take her TO the Pal
ace, nephew. and let me hear you've
squared it between YOU when you bring
her home. Don't you spare expense,
Joseph: treat her To swings and merry
go-rounds, take her OH the switchback
railway; and mind you travel fust class,
Joseph, there's nothing fetches young
girl like travelling fust class. l was
a1 Ha1
uncle, with sigh. She's a real high
stopper is Polly"
1 There was nothing else for it; l had to
express my delight, and as did so the
real high stopper entered the room.
shouldn't have known her. She was
appalling that's the only word for it.
/ "She's a blessed angel said my
uncle with enthusiasm, land the very
image Of her dear mother. Heaven
bless you, my childreni Don't be later
than 9, Joseph. Good-by, children" he
said. And then amt the real high step
per started for the Crystal Palace.
/ | draw q veil over my sufferings al
that place of amusement. Polly chung
to my arm till felt AS il we were STA
mese twins; and she made warm love K
me upon the switch5acI railroad.
"YOu're the first Young man I've ever
walked out WITH" she said to me ingenu
ously while the fireworks were going on.
was no philanderer, and was desper
ately in love with Sophie; but couldn't
afford TO quarrel with my uncle, so
pretended 10 make love to Polly. l dis
, sembled, and made it as like the rea
thing as possible; and when we reached
Araminta terrace felt like the villaiI