River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-11-12

50 they all had dinner. Mrs. Emmons,
however. drove Dandy out of the house.
Don't be too harsh with the little
feller.'' said Une,e Dsrlow. mildly.
The old MN soon made himself at
home in qliet way that none of them
liked except Nanra. who tried to be
kind to him when Aunt Seliny was not
looking. lie did not talk much. but lie
saw that the child was regarded only
"a drudge for he rest. Uncle Joe
usually ignored her: Aunt Seliny
scolded Ter ami kept her busy. When
Joe wanted char he took Mamma 5;
any duty Mar desired 10 shirx fell, as
"a matter of course. upon the younger
girl. In her face was kind of mature
sadness-pitif1i 10 see in one SO young
that recalled TO Uncle Barlow his
dead sister-Nanna' 5 mother-when she
bade her brother good-by twenty years
before.
Nanna's usual refuge against trou-
b.es was IN her Pilgrims Progress
which Aunt Seliny once threatened to
burn. whereat Uncle Barlow frowned.
as he looked at the ire. The child, in
pity Of the seemingly helpless old man.
would liken him in her mind TO Chris
tian. and one night made the two ac-
quainted by reading to her uncle after
the rest had gone to bed
Seems like that Teller did have a
hard time" said Uncle Barlow. But
I'll bet he comes out all right. faint
every poor chap that stays poor"
Then he stroked Nanna's hair and
blinked at the fire, giving his head q
sage nod or two.
One day Uncle Joe came in and said:
brother he and family are coming
over from Steer Creek To spend Christ
mas week. and where well put EN- all
don't know, for we're master crowded
up here now"
lie glanced at Urcle Barlow, who sat
smoking with Mamma on his knee and
Dandy under his chair The old man
said nothing, but he came down the
next morning from his bed in the loft
with his satchel IN hand.
'What-you amt goin' to leave US,
Barlow?" asked Aunt Selling, pretend
ing to be quite surprised.
Yes, Selling. I'm goin' to Weston,
and I'D like to take Mamma along if
she'll GO
Goodness. Barlow. How can you
think of such? You're hardly able to
take care of yourself"
Aunt Selling did not like Mamma, yet
the child was too useful to be lightly
parted with. But Mamma, watching
eagerly, now sat down and began to
cry.
.sSelinv." said Uncle Barlow. ener-
getically. think better of it. You all
don't like her. any more'n you do me.
III be good to her-for sister Maria's
sake"
mo, no said Mrs. Emmons, while
her husband nodded approval I'D ask
YOU To stay longer. too, but-you see
how were fixed"
Uncle Barlow had seen only too well.
He babe them good-by and shuffied
away. closely followed by Dandy. As
he passed the spring he shook his head
sadly, then he heard a child's voice
calling:
Uncle Barlow! Uncle Barlow
Mamma came flying down the path,
holding ont her treasured Pilgrims
Progress.
.Itll be some comp'ny for you" she
said. I'm 50 sorry you're goin' off
alone.
Uncle Barlow's eyes grew dim. He
bent down and kissed her, 4 thing he
had never done before.
You keep it, honey. My old eyes
couldn't see to read it, you know"
A rumbling of wheels was heard,
then great wagon came in sight upon
the big road that led to Weston.
There's Jim Dunlap" said Uncle
Barlow. waving his hat to the driver.
Hell let me- ride"
Mamma glanced hurriedly toward the
house and. seeing no one, held ont her
little arms
Take me. Uncle Barlow" she cried.
mo one is good to me but you-take
me along"
The old man drew back, then he APP
peared to reflect His dead sister
seemed to be looking at him from the
eyes Of her child.
I'm do it, he said '.Seliny hain't
got no heart for anyone but ner own
it'll serve her right Do We really want
TO 90. child?'
Mamma gFdSpeu MS manu-, inou8h slAAA
holding To her Pilgrims Progress.
LESS CO." she said "Mebby they'll
miss US afore we get off. .
Uncle Barlow laughed
Hits my opinion you never made a
wiser choice said he But see there.
Jim's a-gettin' in a hurry"
Two minutes later Uncle Barlow,
Mamma and Dandy were safely en-
sconeed beneath the cover of the great
wagon as IL creaked ard rumbled along
the Weston road.