The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-12-21
A TALE OF TWO UNCLES.
A CHRISTMAS STORY,
By ''DIANA.

Dick Rangle was modify smoking his
pipe and regarding the general outlook of
his particular affairs from an aspect Of ex-
treme gloom. Not that his position
differed materially from what it had been
towards the end of last quarter, or indeed
from what it had invariably been toward
the end of every quarter since he had come
to town to study and to keep himself on a
definite allowance.
Supposed to be studying that science
which should ultimately qualify him as an
electrical engineer, he devoted most of his
time to billiards and gadding about, neither
or which occupations added to his income,
and both of which frequently left him
stranded, and pretty hard up financially.
So he was Just now. And at a moment
inopportune, since he had received his
cousin usual invitation to pass Christmas
with his rich uncle at Langly Grange.
He twisted the note in his fingers, then
Aattened out and read it again. ''Ot
course, dear Dick, - it ran, I'VE shall ex-
pect you, and mind you come as soon as
YOU can. Auntie has told us how hard
you are working, and that you wont be
able to stay long; but I'll never forgive
you if you don t turn up on Christmas day
Reserving all gossip till we meet
And so on, until the writer remained his
''ever atfectionate cousin, Mile
Now. let me look at this matter like a
philosopher, said Dick, rising from his
chair and knocking the ashes out of his
pipe. The business is worth attending
to-frstly, because I like my affectionate
cousin Mile; secondly, because they do
you remarkably we'll at Langly Grange;
and thirdly, as a commercial enterprise,
since the General invariably gives me a
handsome tip as Christmas-box. Good
business But, like other business, it
wants capital to develop. Meanwhile, |
haven enough ready to pay my railway
fare. -
The little clay pipe was again requisi-
toned. Dick lit it, and looked out Of the
window as though to gather inspiration
from the chimneypots which constituted
the best view. He put his hand in his
waistcoat pocket His watch, that friend
which had so often provided the where
withal of pleasure, was absent. Carefully
wrapped up in brown paper it reclined in
an iron safe at a useful establishment round
the corner. 1t was resting from its labors;
Taking" said poor Dick to himself, "a
Christmas that seems to be denied to me. "
He had nothing more to dispose of.
The weather was too cold to allow of the
great coat being parted with, yet even that
had done duty in the summer. His
wardrobe did not admit of further diminu-
ton, and, besides, its hypothecatory value
was infnitesimal
I've got it p he said, beaming all
over his face. "My dress clothes; they
will fetch ten dollars-my railway fare,
and plenty to spare Hurrah! I'm off to
Langly Grange, and the Generals tip will
set me up again"
So the projected visits to both uncles
were arranged First, Dick went to the
one with the corner shop and returned
minus a paper parcel but plus something
like the amount he had reckoned on, the
next morning found him in the train on
the way to Langly Grange.
Suddenly he put down his newspaper,
his hands dropped to bis side, his mouth
opened and shut spasmodicaily, and he
calculated
'Well l am pretty full-sized jackass!" !"
What had suddenly struck the hard up
student was the recollection that he was
about to pay visit to country-house
where all the appointments were punctil-
iously correct, and that he had no evening
clothes! His uncle, General julius Jones,
was one of the old school, who could not
cat outlet after five O clock in the day
unless he wore white choker. He would
no more have though ht of dining in morning
dress than he would have allowed his butler
to wait on him in a suit of dittoes And
now there was party, goodness knows
how many y9qRg man and girls, and very
likely their fathers and mothers too
Dick could not possibly face them wearing
the same clothes he had travelled Ia. Yet
except a clean shirt OF SO, and bath
towel, he had nothing else with him.
What was to be done? He might, of
course, say that his servant had forgotten
to pack his things The General might
believe such tale; cousin Millie would
not, and there weHld he ma end of chaff
and pleasantly at his expense. Could he
borrow suit? Hardly, since he stood
six feet one and half in his stockings,
This was indeed out Of the frying pan into
the fire, and Dick Fuefully came to the
conclusion that his enterprise must be
abandoned as a failure, and that he must