Griggs courier., 1893-06-30
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UNCLE JIM'S LODGER.
How One Guest Paid for the
Whole Venture.

stars ana Stripes hoated from every
window, lights were brighter, shops
gayer, streets buster, than was their
wont, for-had you not heard?-the
Grand Army of the Republic was to
meet in - that year, and all the city
was alive with expectation.
Hotels were engaged, boarding and
lodging houses spoken for, private
homes solicited, tents put up here,
there, everywhere,-no preparation was
counted too great; for the old stories of
fabulous prices for almost any accom-
modation were on their rounds, stories
that grew as they travelled until it was
small wonder Uncle Jim, always credu-
lous. always hopeful, was moved to
make his fortune, while ''fortins was
in the way"
He had worked day and night to have
his tent finished, now all was in readi-
ness. The six hundred cots were
stretched in long double rows, three
tiers high, waiting.
He had not gone to headquarters, as
his friends advised, to have q post
assigned him. Oh, no, that was not
Uncle Jim's way, and he had laughed
his jolly eyes almost out of sight at any
suggestion of risk. Risk, indeed! with
al those thousands coming! He would
show them.
What if the weather had been sitting,
and the hot sun brought headache
more or less? What if the old shoul.
ders were cramped by the unaccus-
toned STOPPING? What, indeed-Uncle
Jim was going to make his ''fortin'."
''Guess you can get ready, mother,
you an Kate. Guess you can go on
that holiday trip O. yours, that's been
hangln' fire this three year.
"Katie'll need some finery, won't she?
She shall have it. She shall now. You
Jest wait all O. you. I'll show you. Dot
here'll have to see the town. We can't
have her goin' back home 'thout seein'
them sights. Dot, my gal, you jest
wait. You jest wait - Uncle Jim'll
show you. He amt a business man for
nothin'.''
1t was the muster night, the eve OF
the day of parade. From east and
west, from north and south the vet
Grams poured into the waiting city.
Kate, with her mother and Dot, were
at the tent in little sheltered place
for Uncle Jim had assured them i,
would be a wonderful sight to see the
rush to secure his cots.
''Guess them posts must have been
spoke for" he explained as company
after company marched by. with neve,
halt before his spacious camp.
''Jest watt" he said, "bv an by the
rush'n come. It'll be great sight,
tell you, to see them soldiers come
puship' an crowdin' to get bed"
Uncle Jim's thumbs sought the seclu
sion of his waistcoat pockets, and his
chest heaved with pride as he glanced
over the great place that as yet no one
had come TO claim.
AS night wore on. and still nc one
came. his wife and daughter looked al
each other and were silent. They had
waited for other schemes to have as
grand climax as the one now hoped
for. TIE climax had come, but it had
not been grand, and their hearts grew
anxious as they watched Uncle Jih's
bent figure in the opening of the tent
For Dot it had been disappointment,
enough that there had no rush for the
tent, without seeing the trouble gath.
ering in her aunt's eyes and in Kate's
The tears came. Kate drew her to what
she said. with choking little laugh
was ''the loveliest place in the world to
cry" and held her close.
1t was something to haye Dot in hel
n~k
her childish grief that was only the
grief of others.
''Madge," said Kate, softly, show
much will father lose if-?''
The mother did not answer this un
finished question. She had lived
through SO many disappointments she
felt almost hard. Why should he have
ventured all they had saved worse, all
he could borrow-in such a reckless
fashion? Why should he always do so;
Why, why, why would he never listen
to advice?
Here was ruin. They mns. begin all
over again-begln in debt. I'm debt 81
All the old weary scheming to pay of
she hated it.
She rose and drew her shawl over her
shoulders. Seeing the movement her
husband came toward her, his hat owe,
his eyes.
''Guess you women folks better get
home now. and get to bed. They'll be
comm in all night, s'pose. I'll jest
wait SOS to be ON ham when the rush
comes"
''Why, Dot! Is Dot cryin'? Kate.
my gal, you jest take 'em home and put
'em both to bed. They're all tired out,
Mudgie an Dot. But don't you give up,
any O. you. Well have that fortin' yet.
You jest wait. I'll show you-Uncle
Jim amt business man fer nothin'-
hey, Dot?"
The following morning Dot slid down
the balustrade, bounded to the floor
and dashed into the dining-room with
eager questioning.
Ibid they come?
"Where's Uncle Jim?
''Why didn't you wake me?
''Say, why doesn't some one say some
thing?
"Where is Uncle Jim?''
"Down at the tent. Now don't wor-
nv, dear. Nudge has headache" an