The news boy., 1894-09-22


enough to say what I think; and one
old man is hard enough to get along
with, I'm sure!"
Living here practically on Uncle
Johns charity, don't you think we had
better leave him entirely out of the
question:" asked Nellie.
Even when he goes about spying
and criticising everything we do? And
worries old Susan's life almost out,
looking into the soup pot and adding
more water for fear it won't go 'round?"
In spite of herself Nellie laughed
gaily.
ITS no laughing matter" her sister
declared. "Besides, if Uncle John isn't
glad to see his own bro ther, l don't see
why we should pretend to be-
But I'm not going to pretend at
all
Gertrude. Helen!-one of you come
down. gruff voice from below.
And Nellie, obeyiug the summons,
found Uncle John in the dim sitting
room with his newly-arrived and evil
IDENTITY unwelcome guess.
Left alone, Gertie still pondered over
the unexpected letter which that morn
ing had announced to Uncle John the
almost immediate arrival of the brother
he had not seen for quarter of a cen
tury, and the orders which old Susan
had thereupon received to practice
various extra economics which might
tend to shorten the stay of the un-
wished-for visitor. So supper that
night proved an even more frugal and
unsocial meal than usual. Uncle John
preserved his customary grim silence;
the two girls were always overawed
and quiet in his presence, while the
newcomer seemed occupied in exam
lining his surroundings.
"Wel, brother" he remarked, at
last, though some things seem to
point to the contrary, am inclined to
believe that you have prospcred dur
ing these last five-and-twenty years?"
A growl came from the grim figure
at the head of the table, but the words:
"You certainly have not prospered, to
judge from appearances" were quite
audible.
But you can't always judge from
appearances" was the newcomers cool
reply.
His retort apparently missed its eff
feet upon all but Gertie, and she began
to wonder if this shabby stranger
might not possibly prove kind of
fairy godfather in disguise. But the
next afternoon she burst suddenly into
the room where her sister was deep in
her book.
"Well. what do you suppose he wants
me to do?" she cried. Look at this
wretched old coat, with pockets torn
out, and the facing in ribbons; we'll,
this fine new uncle has coolly re-
quested me to mend it for him! Did
you ever hear of such thing? Why
don't he take it to tailor? It's all in
rags-and I'm not going to do it,
Nellie took the dila apidated garment.
while slight wrinkle appeared on
her usually smooth young brow. 1t
reached for her workboX.
you aren't going to doit? wouldn't
touch it, Gertie declared.
I'D rather mend it than have him
wear it rs it is; hate to see ragged
old men" said Nellie.
But he'll bring you his old shoes
next and ask you to patch them"
His boots would be n step beyond
me-" laughed Nellie, but this is easy
enough, and it won't take long. Now,
if ever | have the management of q
boy III bring him up to sew and to
keep his own clothes in apple-pie or
der. He shall have n thimble and
scissors and well-stocked worllbag,
and he shall learn to handle needle
as well as a jacllnkife. Why! here's
something slipped down between the
lining and the outside, Gertie-a FIVE
dollar gold piece! I'm glad Uncle Sam
brought it to you, after all, else he
might never have seen his money
again." Nellie's fingers flew rapidly,
and it was not long before she eX-
claimed: There! it's finished now. as
we'll as can do it. You'd better take
it right back to him, and the gold
piece, too"
Gertie disappeared, but in moment
she returned with flushed face, and,
dropping the gold piece into Nellie's
lap, she stammered:
"He--he told me to keep it for mend
ing the coat, and IL hadn't courage
to tell him didn't do it; so it's yours
for sha'n't take it. And Nellie, in
spite of his looking so shabby, | be-
lieve he's awfully rich, and he's come
here this way just to find out what
we're like, and what we need wish
he'd adopt us and take us away from
here; he's great deal nicer than
Uncle John"
30, Gertie!" cried Nellie, indignant
ly. mo, you must keep it, for he gave
it to you. But if he's ever so rich, I'd
be ashamed to talk SO when Uncle
John has been so kind. What would
we have done when mother died if he
had not been willing to give us home?
And didn't he promise to take care of
us at school until we We're old enough
to teach and support ourselves? It's
very ungrateful to say Uncle Silas is
nicer, just because he has given you
bright gold piecew
Gertie was quite unmoved by her
sisters indignation; out finding that
Nellie utterly refused to share her sud-
den bright anticipations, she finally
descended to the kitchen and took old
Susan into her confidence, much to
that good woman's astonishment.
Law, Miss Gertie, faint possible!"
said Susan. 1--WE been in the family
sence them men was byes, an Mr..
John was alwuz queer, an clus, an
'cumulative-but for all that, kind an
honest as the daylight! But that there
Mr.. Silas-alwuz wild an shiftless, If
nothin' wuss--he worritted your poor
granma mos to death. An from what