Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1892-12-22

BcnurNEon n careful man Whot Nlter
seeing how things ran, and that ho
need not expect anything from his
wiio's rich uncle, settled down to bust
ness \ man hates to give up the
dreams ho has erected upon the shift.
shoals OF matrimony; but Pendraeon
did--with what poor grace he'd never
acknowledge. lie hung over lot OF
dusty, nasty boots in Snatchem g.
Skinen's office for u moderate salary.
also did occasional funny sketch.work
for humorous papers, Uncle Jabez
held aloof; he would not visit the niece
he had never met.
"Stingy old thing
"Now John, don't uncle doesn't
know rs yet-nover has seen any OF
us. know ii he could meet baby.
"Just about now" broke in John
as he suatchcd baby's syrup.smeared
hands away from his polished shirt
front.
cor il he could only see our Rob
by
sat the present time" sighed John,
M Robby came sliding down the ban.
isters with tho broken globe oil tho
hall.lamp dangling from one heel
"l,ut when uncle does come, ] know
he'll be delighted with us ali.
"Suro OF it--when ho does come"
John said, ny ho tore himself from the
bosom OF his family. Upon his
return he banged open tho door
aud danced g0ily into his wiie's
presence, waving u letter as he ex-
claimed:
Hes eoming Saw postmark, Dan,
ube, llerkimer County, N. r., and
couldn't wait, so ! read 1t. Uncle Jd-
bea will be here Christmas morning
bright and early. I'm glad, and hope
cnn strike him for u liity"----
"Johnl you ought to be ashamed.
Uncle Jabez must not be struck "-----
"Just in fun, you know. Now bake
up n lot OF things and have therooms
bright and tidy
"You arc wild. You must let him
think that we aIe--well, you know
can't bring myself TO say it,
"Just so-poor, poverty-strlckeD;
nothing to wear, nothing to eat, very
low;--all arranged so that Uncle Jabez
will come down good and solid"
There were no Christmas presents
DOuPilb tuHt ycufg NV tNth o ooVShN
ing hung from tho shelf nor %
Christmas.tree heavy with gifts, in
the Pendragon parlor. The children
went wild over such n state OF affairs,
and their mother spent u great deal
OF timo explaining matters. IL was u
bare, cheerlcss, gloomy Christmas that
dawned in the Pendragon family.
John sat by very dead pile OF cinders.
hugging his last years Office coat about
him, trying to read and eagerly wait
ing for the bell His wife was huddled
upon one corner OF the lounge with
the children gathered close to her. OF
course it was very wrong for the Pen
dragon family to do this; but then
Uncle ,Iebez was so rich; he'd never
visited them before, and-who knows.
perhaps his will will find them nicely
remembered.
The boy Robbie blubbored and yell
ed for some Christmas Taffy; the girl
sSusie wanted u doll with rolling eyes
and whistle in its stomach. Tho
baby couldn't talk vet, and really was
the most satisfied OF the lot.
evil Inc never come?
The children outside are giving forth
good-chcer to every passer.by, the
merry bells are pealing and all ~ cay
ETY.
The bell rings.
John Pendragon gave his wife q
knc wing look as he went to the door.
He opened it aud an old chap with %
big fur cap and hair muller was ush-
cred in.
81 b'leeyo yOu're ,Tohn"-
"And you--you are dear Uncle Ja-
bez." cried Pendragon as he grasped
the others hand and drew him into
the cold cheerless sitting-room.
oval guess-hey! no fire SIGH a
cold days | say-oh! you're
my niece, air your Them's thu
babies, air they Yes, I'll
sit down" The old man took oil
his muller, overcoat and fur cap and
eat-5ein.
"Ys don'tseem much perked up.
you loI IS. Why dent the babies run
about an play an snow me their
Christmas presents?"
"AIas! dear uncle, we are too poor
to buy any presents for the little
dears, sobbed Mrs. Pendragon.
"Sorry. Thought most any ono
could buy leetle candy fur babies.
The dirtiest runt ON the street, almost
bare, had n bit OF candy"
But our expenses are so large; it
costs so much for coal and flour
"An' stateys like them marble
things / seen standin' in the hall, az
paintin's like them hangin' on the
wall, an sich carpets as these, an sich
nice furnitoor, an SIGH lots OF books
in the case thar, an so many novels
on the table, an'-an,-I guess you
forgot to peel down to the quick.
Sorter expected Uncle Jabez, didn't
you? I'm goin" They were dumt i,
The old man put on his muller, over
coat and fur cap and left. Explana,
tions were not necessary. The Pen
dragon family had crow for dinner.
and when Christmas day came TO an