The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1891-11-27

II amt long for this world, Joseph.
Please to take chair"
Now, for the last ten years, knew
perfectly well 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 Zee my Uncle John, but as my
eyes grew accustomed to the dim relig-
icus 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 and spectacIes.
wearing tapped cap.
my sisters sent their duty and ~
spects, SIR" l said.
And then my uncle gave q sort Of
grunt.
"Don't you find the room little dark,
Uncle john" remarked.
"It's on account Of my poor eyes" re-
piled my Uncle John, in the hoarse
whisper that seemed habitual with him,
"thats why I'm forced to wear these
green spectacles," he said.
How stupid | was to have forgotten
my uncle's weakness of vision.
Then there was a long silence, which
was broken by my Uncle John.
"You amt thinking Of marrying, Jo.
seph, are your said my uncle.
"Why, bless me, no, uncle" replied.
"I've only thirty shillings week, and
there are four Of us"
"But II she was an heiress, Joseph
croaked my uncle.
sim open to an heiress," replied.
"That was likely girl that opened the
door for you, Nephew Joseph" said my
Uncle John. 'I'm very fond of that
likely girl, he went on, ''and she's an
heiress,' added my uncle mysteriously,
.and she's sort Of girl as 'ud make
any young man happy"
/ ! didn't quite see how the slatternly
girl was calculated to make any young
man happy, but remembered that she
was my uncle's stepdaughter; SO re-
marked namely, "She'sa 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 to the Crystal Palacef
said the tempter, my uncle.
"One can't afford to take girls to the
/ Crystal Palace. uncle," l replied, "or
thirty shillings 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 yot
see her when she's dressed"
Here was horrible situation. My
uncle was about to propose that ! shoult
take the slatternly girl to the Crysta
Palace in her Sunday clothes, and all th'
time ! was engaged to Sophia; but
didn't dare to say anything about Sophii
to my Uncle John,
"That likely girl that's dressln' her
self for you, Nephew Joseph, in the mex
room, III have 200 golden sufferings th'
day she marries, and Eve been saving he
up for you. Nephew Joseph, ever sine
my wedding day. There's fO note o.
- a
the mantel for you, Joseph, and there
suffering inside. Take her TO the raj
ace, nephew, and let me hear youv
squared it between you when you orinl
her home. Don't You spare expense
Joseph; treat her1o swings and merry
go-rounds, take her on the switchbacl
railway; and mind you travel fust class
Joseph, there's nothing fetches younl
girl like travelling fust class. wa
young myself, once, Joseph" added M,
uncle, with . sigh. "She's q real hig
stopper is Polly
There was nothing else for it; had I
,. express my delight, and as did SO tn