Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-06-13
UNCLE JOHN.

dudSSeu u lOIIuue, anu uc Wao PO9-
SCISSOR of a large one.
Several years of his life had been
spent in India, and when he came
home to us, bronzed by the tropical
climate, and changed to prema-
turely old man by exposure and
hard work, we children scarcely
knew whether to dislike or fear him,
for the lines around his large
mouth told a story of experiences,
and gave a cynical look to the
otherwise fine features.
However, | was determined to be
cordial, first because | had, when a
a little girl, been his special favor
ite; and next, because my father
(his brother) had died during his
absence, and upon my mother, in
delicate health and Strengthened
circumstances, devolved the whole
care of a large family.
| was the eldest-eighteen the
very day uncle John arrived. A
pleasant home, nicely furnished, in
a respectable locality, was my moth
er's only possession; SO she followed
the example of others similarly
situated, and the advice of her rel
atives, by taking a few boarders.
Oh, how | rebelled at the idea!
My room, which dear papa had fur
nished with everything comfortable
and even elegant, had to be given
up, and | was compelled to occupy
another with mother and young
sisters.
Talk about relinquishing luxuri-
Gus surroundings without a muir
mur! In my opinion, there is a
great deal of heroism necessary to
the compulsory turning of ones
back on accustomed ease and posi-
ton.
| gave up with tears, and be-
cause there was nothing else that
promised a comfortable living. |
knew that when it came to be gen.
orally known that Mrs. Moffatt
was taking boarders, that many
yea, the most of our arlstocratic
friends-would quickly withdraw
their names from our visiting list,
and the idea made me miserable.
The oft-repeated aphorisms with
which mother endeavored to console
me Though | knew she was equal
ly disturbed such as "adversity is
the time to try ones friends" ;" mo
one whose friendship is worth pos
sessing will desert us now"-had
no harmonizing effect. | had no
philosophy to meet the exigencies
of such case. Six gentlemen were
finally domiciled with us--nice,
quiet, most of them, elderly men
and my life of drudgery commenc-
ed. Upon me devolved the care of
each apartment, the superintendence
of the dining-room, and preparation
of dessert. We could afford but
one servant, and that one a profess
sional cook.
You will not greatly wonder that
| looked with considerable anxiety
in uncle Johns direction, to see of
what pecuniary benefit he intended
to make himself. His property, so
| had heard, was estimated at two
and a half millions, and this, to my
unsophisticated mind, seemed an in
credible sum. 1.-TWO millions and
half!' | whispered to myself. "If
he, the possessor of that princely
fortune, allows my mother to keep
boarders another day after he had
discovered the real facts Of the case,
he is too mean to exist"
At his second call, he remarked
to mother:
$50, Sophie, hear you are taking
boarders. How do you like it?"
Mothers countenance was placid
and undisturbed, as though no rich
uncle John had ever been heard Of
as she replied pleasantly:
mot quite as well as housekeep-
ing quietly with my husband; but
there are so many women worse of
than myself, without shelter even
for their families, that | think il
would be very wicked to repine."
"You are q brave little woman
Sophie!' he replied, turning his
back to us, and walking to the win.
dow. 81 always liked you more
than the rest. And how does my
Belle like the change in the man.
ner of livingp"
III hate itw ] replied, coming
down with my right foot at the
same time most emphatically.
"Hate itw said he, while the lines
grew little sterner round the ex.
pressive mouth. "Hateit WhyP"
Because / do. Had | been born
in clearinghouse, or educated
for general housework, / should
nrobablv like il we'll enough. Gu,