The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-09-07
UNCLE GEORGES VISIT.

hardened old miner, who bad goDet 10 the
Black Hills when be was boy, and by
long years Of toll had amassed 5 fortune.
And nov be had come east TO enjoy i
and visit with his fashionable but by no
means wealthy relations
Mr.. Leslie" that gentleman's wife
announced one day ct dinner, "my uncle
George, whom ] hare never seen, com
ing to visit US within 8 few weeks, and
he says be may stay a month or two,
and may conclude to make his home
with Us il"
make his home with Us ?" snorted Mr..
Leslie, putting down his cup Of coffee
with vicious jerk. "Well, gness not
don't object to your poor relatives com
ing here once in q while fora few days,
but as for one quartering himself with US
for the rest Of his natural life time, Why
# Is too much. Haven't told you"
aIf it's agreeable, ," went on Mrs- Leslie,
calmly resuming at the point where she
had been interrupted by her irate spouse,
as though nothing had happened "And
he saws that he has made q large fortune
and thinks, as he is over sixty years OF
are and in rather poor health, he wants
OF enjoy a few years ofrest before he dies
No stage transformation scene was ever
half 50 wonderful as the change that
took place'on the chubby face Of Mr.. Les
lie. His gray side-whiskers fairly bristled
with new found Joy.
Bot he tried hard 70 conceal his change
OF sentiment That was diplomacy. And
one Of Mr.. Leslie's fondest delnsions was
that he was a second Machiavelli.
~WeH, I guess We can find room for
him. How would Il do to put him in
the frontrooin upstairs2 Don't you think
It ought to be repapered, Mrs. Leslie 2
said the husband
And, Of course, Mrs. Leslie, who had
been asking for such an improvement
for some weeks, eagerly assented and
thanked her stars for more than one rea-
son that her nncle was coming.
won't Il be splendid TO have him
here said Miss Florence Leslie, rather
tall, stately young woman, whoes ideas
ran much to society. maybe now / will
get that pair Of diamond earrings l have
heen waiting for so long"
"He may be such a horrid old guy
we shall all be ashamed Of him." sug-
gested slangy Miss Bessie, year young
er than her sister Florence. Fancy him
sitting on on our veranda with big
slouch hat and his trousers tucked into
his boots when the DeGoodleys drive
by"
"Do you think Uncle George would
buy me a pair of ponies, mamma ?"
queried young Robert, who, though but
nine years Of age, appeared ksenly alive
to the situation.
Uncle George came. lie was very
modest, unassuming gentleman with q
bronzed face and the quiet ways Of a
man who had been an exile from society
for years. And, strange to say, he was
rather averse to talking about the fam
ily history.
"He is a very modest man. Uncle
George il" said Mrs. Leslie, explaining
this REGULARITY to neighbor. "But do
you know" she said, in a mysterious
whisper, "he must be very wealthy. !
know be must be getting ready to make
us some splended present. For l saw
him counting over an enormous roll Of
bills the other day, as though he were
studying what to buy"
Mr.. Leslie, too, was likewise eagerly
expectant. De had really begun to Ike
Uncle George-at least he thought he
did.
And so it went down to the youngest
member Of the family. Uncle George, it
must be owned, flred pretty well.
They even gave q grand party in hon
or of the newly arrived relation from
the west All their friends we're invited.
The caterers were given carte blanche.
1t was really fine affair.
"We wish to spare no pains TO make
my dear uncle feel at hOme," said Ms.
Leslie to her friend Mr.. Gcnion, that
night
40 make him feel at home" echoed
Mr.. Leslie. at is our aim 10 make MS
last days as pleasant as possible-you
know he is getting old-for he has seen
rough times out in the west, and has
earned a good rest"
The fact is this was a trife hypocriti-
cal on the part of Mr.. Leslie Truth was
he was beginning to get a little anxious
over the fact that Uncle George was not
making any lavish expenditure of his
wealth.
In another part Of the house that night
there was another interesting little scene.
1t was behind huge bank of ferns and
palms that the yigacious Miss. Bessie was
explaining to her betrothed, Frank
Jewett, all about the new-found relative.
~YOu must be very good to him, Frank
she was saying. f'Of course I know he is
a hOrnd looking old fellow, and he dresses
ike a seareerow and be is as stupid as a
stick and all that but then he's rich and
We all want 10 keep on the right side OF
him.
Ifit wasn't for that we wouldn't have
him in the house. But papa is going to
let him make his home with us, and
when he dies he viii surely leave US ali
his money. And I wouldn't be particle
surprised, if We keep in his good graces,
If he would furnish our house for Us from
cellar to garnet when you and I are mar
RED"
Was that chuekle that came from the
other side Of the thick bank Of ferns and
palms?
One morning Uncle George failed 10
come down to breakfast. This was not
an unsusl thing, for Mr.. Leslie's avun-
cuisr relative was in the habi; Of takeing
long morning strolls, lust to brace up |
my appetite Bit" be would explain.
Bat when he failed to come back 10 /
lunch, to dinner-When night arrived /
and still no Uncle George-AIrs. Leslie 4
began TO De alarmed.
4 am afraid something has happened /
to him, " she said 70 her husband. Gle
il not very well acquainted in the ci.y
Who knows but be may have been rob
bed and murdered ?"
:, A. I II