Middletown transcript., 1892-06-16


, what you're tellin', you talk SO dread
full fast, !" said Mrs. Harkins in tone
of great vexation.
Tilly's fierce black eyes snapped
viciously. .Well, Aunt Sairey Jane, =
she said, rising, 81 was a-going to tell
you piece of news but, as you seem
to object to folks talking reasonable
fast, guess it don't matter. Where's
Rose and Uncle Jake P''
snow, lilly, do set down, and don't
fly off the handle so quick. didn't
say you talked too fast. I hate them
slow, drawlin' takers, /" said Mrs. Ear-
kins coaxingly but Tillie was obdu-
rate.
No, l don't think I'll set down this
morning. I'll find Rose in the front
porch, expect"
Leaving Mrs. Harkins to mourn over
her untimely criticism, Tilly betook
herself to the front porch. There sat
Rose, in fresh muslin, looking as
pretty as picture, reading a volume
of poetry to Uncle Jake, who appeared
to enjoy it wonderfully. 'Tain't the
poetry SO much,-it's mostly Roses
voice, and to see her flappin' the flies
off my head so pretty" was Mr.. Har-
kins's explanation Of the poetry busi-
ness but the truth was, it suited Rose,
and that covered the whole ground.
Here's Tilly Haverstraw, uncle !:
how is your hearing ?'' whispered
Rose.
Powerful bad.-Good- -mornin' !,
Tilly, my DEAR" said Uncle Jake,
rising and picking up his hat. ut
amt hardly worth while for me to stay
here and listen to your conversation.
MY hearin's so bad that if you was to
fire off cannon right close by me I'd
think 1t was a mosquito a -buzzin', o
somethin' o. the kind. y And Mr..
Harkins walked off.
lilly was somewhat disappointed OF
her audience. Rose manifested no
curiosity whatever in regard to Mr..
Kingsley's arrival, but mentioned
carelessly that she had met him some
where in New York, she forgot where.
" And didn't say anything about
itl' cried lilly aghast. "Pa's
nephew !"
! NO." said Rose, at didn't at
tach the least importance to Mr..
Kingsley"
Tilly did not put implicit faith in
| this statement, but when she rose to
90 said, !" Well, Cousin Sam is COM
ing to- morrow, and I'll bring him
over to see you"
"Do, by all MEANS" said Rose,
mentally resolving to avoid Cousin
Sam by all lawful means.
! The next afternoon, as Mr.. Har-
kins was leaning meditatively over a
gate, about a mile from his house,
whiting. strange gentleman came
up.
Fl be stranger was rather rather lleese-jieeiHHtt
ed and angular, and bore an unrnis-
taxable family resemblance to Deacon
Haverstraw. Good-evening. sir, -
said he to Mr.. Harkins. i" Can you
direct me to the house of Mr.. Jacob
Harkins p
Yes," said Mr.. Harkins. Right
straight down the road about a mile.
/ first house to the left"
Are you-ahem-aequainted in
this neighborhood?"
Pretty much. I've lived here
nigh on to sixty year"
Z" Then you are probably acquaint-
ed with Mr.. Harkin's family"
Know 'em all. Know old Jake
like a book and Mis-. Harkins'-
there amt nothin' I don't know about
Mis- Harkins; good woman ; got her
faults, though,-was born a Flint"
am connected with the Flints,"
said the stranger, Strengthening him
self up as he announced this fact.
Deacon Haverstraw is my uncle.
He married Miss Flint"
He did. The Lord have mercy
on him - responded Mr.. Harkins,
soto voco.
Dou you know Miss Haller, Mr..
Harkins's adopted daughter ?"
Speak little louder. I'm deaf"
ex planned Mr.. Harkins
O. asked if you were acquainted
with Miss Haller," shouted the strang.
er.
Oh, yes; know Miss Haller.
She'll get all old Jake Harkins has
got"
&C. Is Mr.. Harkins in-a--afluent
circumstances :"
Pretty comfortable. Wills been
made fifteen year. Everything he's
got goes to Rose"
:" Miss Haller is very interesting
young lady" said the stranger mus
ingly.
What did you say ?" asked Mr..
Harkins, putting his hand up to his
ear.
Il said Miss Haller was very in
terssting young LADY," bawled Mr..
Kingsley. 81 have frequently heard
my uncle Deacon Haverstraw speak
of Mr.. Harkins. He is a very deter
mined man; very hard to move"