The Somerset reporter., 1893-11-16

wondering how long Uncle Tompkin-
meant to stay. No sooner Was the table
cleared than the irascihe old gentleman
began again.
'.Grumblc," said he, Il wish you'd
stop that creaking OF your chair my
nerves are 50 weak. aud if You could
keep your children up stairs their racket
wouldn't disturb me quite so much.
really don't know how I'm going t.
stand that baby's noise
Il do not think it is Il very noisy
baby said Mr.. Grumble meeklY. Its
teeth are very painful just at present.,
Mrs Grumblc, who MIS- Joking the
fire in accordance with her uncle's petu-
lant request, said nothing. tut smiled
quietly It. hear her husband trying Ia
cXtcnuatc the baby sins.
"Ncll," remarked nele Tompkins,
''all babies are noisy. Nnd. by the way.
Grumble, wish ypu would oil the
hinges of that squcaking door. and !
don't like the smell Of that grranium in
the window. IIalla9, you haven't any
top button in your shirt front. hope
my niece isn't careless Wife
"Not at an said MIR. GrumbIr, ncr-
vonsly; "hnt the care of her child and
housekeeping duties absorb great deal
OF her time. The instant she finds lciS-
ure Size will look 10 my clothes.
Il don't see how a woman can spend
her whole time keeping huuse and look
ing after pack of children, observed
Uncle rompkins iucrpdulau-ly.
about tn O'clock the old gentleman
was nshcred to the -plre room, accom-
panied by procession of medicine
phidis. a tub of hot water. woolen dress
lu9 ruhcS and heated bankers Tor his
feet, and his absence oeeasioned very
general rellei
"N iAt m IN ui1erahle old duiief that
i eNcl1lincd Mr. i'runlle, throwing
himself with "A sigh ol satisfaction INTO
his iaNorite seat once more. MY dear
BESSIE. llow could You endure his rler-
ual fault lihding?
Il an accustomed TO that Henry
1t Is the lesson MANY married women are
Obliged 10 learn, replied Mrs. ''rtllhhlc,
with IA sigh.
Her husband prekcd up ms ear' Il
little uueasilY. "Accustoncd TO It
W hat did she mean: 1t wa not posi-
ble-it could not be posslbie-that he
was like that odion> old ncle Iomp-
kins. And yet he wished Bessie had not
spoken IN that way. somehow II hAue
hlm feel excessively unc"IntortabIe'
Three days passed away. ncle iolIp-
klnS growing more and more lhtolerable
the whole time while Mr. Gruhhie nm
proved the occasion by making "A sort OF
mental looking glass OF that worthy ola
gentleman
u pon-my-Word, sad he 10 NM
sell, ~ must have been perItct hul-
sance all these years. why dldn t SOME
body tel me ot 1t!
At length tncle Tonpkins went away,
flannel robes. medicine bottles and all.
and on the evening OF lhe same day rom
carton arrived IRON Il temporary ab-
scncc, nobody knew where.
so nncle has been visiting YOU: iIe
SAID gay to Mr.. Grumhle.
~ Is, said the latter with a slight
grlmace.
"Wnat sort OF looking man Is hef
Mr.. Grumbie was silent Tor "A moment.
"Do you know he exclaimed, burst
ing into a perplcXed laugh, 81 coulih I
describe a single feature OF ms lhc''
lie was always thVel"prl' llhe an E9Np-
tian mummy, in silk handkerchief
something like that one you have IN
your hand. However, m heartily glad
he's gone. With my permission he shall
never set foot in lEis house again
Mo- said Tom, ar"hly.
The most intoieralie fault Under !
ever met WITH said Mr. Grumble; ab-
'olutely the most dlSagreeable man who
ever numbered the earth! don see
how it is possible to grumble at every
thing as he did"
That not an uncommon falling !
believe. observed IDfI1, utmtlfrlN -nlll-
ing.
VERY likely, said his hrotlIcr-in.law
productive of at least one good effect
don,.y miyht have b,d that v.N. for
one mean to leave of yrumblinr.