The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-12-02

+" suuueh leelinS OF c0mpunction took pos
session of me.
''No, by.Iovel" I exclaimed, rising from
the sofa and taking up a position on the
hearth-rug. Il won't consent to any such
s,s9 on5 hi lis certain 70 miss fire somehow,
the two old fellows come. and have ubft
with IT, It they disinherit us both, and
ignore our son future, it can't be helped.
I'm heartily sick of all this pretence and
underhand nonsense, and won't have any
more of it,
But Ella, after dismayed pause, wept
and entreated so, and, in short, cajoled me
in the way women do cajole us when they
like, to such purpose that | at last gave in
and consented Whereupon hypocritical
letters were written to both uncles, ex-
pressive of our pleasure at their projected
visit, &c; and | permitted myself the lux
ury of being in an exceedingly bad temper
for the next few days.
The fateful Tuesday arrived in due
course, and by Elias special request came
home by much earlier train than usual.
The afternoon had passed without bringing
Uncle Simon. Our evil star was evidently
in the ascendant; for at $50 a fly from
the station drove up to the door, and from
it stepped-Uncle Gregory!
l looked at Ella witheringly
'Never mind, dear" she said, in hurried
tones at can't be helped. I'll manage.
Just leave everything to me y
| muttered few maledictory remarks
under my breath and went to the door
with wreathed smiles to great our relative.
| saw at once, by certain infallible signs,
that he was in one of his most aggressive
moods He swore at the fyman, contra
dicted me fatty and rudely when l men
toned the usual fare, and snubbed poor
Ella so viciously on the subject of a new
velvet dress she wore that saw the tears
spring to her eyes with modification, and
[ myself crimsoned with rage. However,
we pressed him to take some relreshment-
sherry, | think it was-and after two large
glasses Of the same he became somewhat
notified
At this point telegram was handed in
1t was from my uncle, saying We might
expect him by the $50.
"Wouldn't you like to get ready for
dinner now, uncle q Fila said after some
time, with nervous glance at the time
piece. Il had shown her the telegram
1t was quarter to 6, and Uncle Simon'>
train was due in five minutes.
Plenty of time, plenty of time, said
the old gentleman, helping himself to anoth-
er glass of sherry "You don't dine till 6
doyou p
saw that Ella was quite pale.
"Pray, don't hurry" 1 observed calmly
As | spoke the whistle of Uncle Simon:
train was heard in the distance Ella dis
appeared from the room, and in another
moment the dinner-bell sounded vigor
ously:
Old Carper rose after imbibing fina
glass of sherry.
Il hope you have something decent for
dinner" he growled. I'm as hungry a,
hunter. Hadn't time for more than :
bite at lunch
smiled painful smile, and murmured
something to the effect that | hoped he
could have something he could enjoy.
The old fellow plodded heavily upstairs,
where Ella was waiting to usher him into
his fateful pink ROOM In another moment
my wife, flushed and breathless, joined me
at the foot of the stairs.
Have you done it?" | asked, gloomily
feeling as | imagine Macbeth must have
done.
"Yes, she answered, showing me the
key, preparatory to slipping it into hel
pocket ''And, Charlie, took down the
bell-rope today; so all is safe. But, oh
dear, how very unfortunate that Uncle
Simon didn't come first Isuppose he will
be here directly"
Just then the door bell rang loudly. Ii
was Uncle Simon.
1t CHANGED that Mr. Finicker was not
in the most amiable frame of mind either
He had lost his umbrella, it appeared
and was even more aggravatingly nervous
and fidgety than usual
Just as dinner was served loud bang
ing was heard from the room above, 1
don't think | have mentioned that the
pink room was situated just above the
dining ROOM. hastened up stairs and
hypocritically turned the handle of the
pink room door, having previously knocked.
care you not coming down to dinner,
Mr.. Carper2" Inquired, feeling, confess,
rather ashamed of myself
"Coming DOWN." thundered my Wife
uncle Indignantly from within. "0fcourse
I'm coming down; but I can't get the door
open r
''No?" | returned, with a careful accent
of surprise. II trust this confounded lock
has not caught again. We intended hav-
ing it repaired, but the looksmith has un-
fortunately not arrived" (Which, as he
had not been sent for, was not to be won
dered att
aShake the handle from the inside,
continued.
He shook the handle. bnt-T need