West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-12-26

Nv only I'm honest
enough TO say what think; and one
old man is hard enough to get along
with, I'm surei"
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 Il won't go round?"
In spite OF herself Nellie laughed
gaily.
Its no laughing matter" her sister
declared. BESIDES, II Uncle John isn't
glad TO see his own brot 1 don't sec
why we should pretend to be."
But I'm not going to pretend at
all"
'Gertrudei Helenl--one OF you como
DOWN. cried n gruff voice from below.
And Nellie, obeying the summons,
found Uncle John in the dim sitting
room with his newly-arrived and evil
IDENTIFY 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 n CEN
tury, and the orders which old Susan
had thereupon received TO practice
various extra economies 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
"Well. brother" he remarked, at
last, though some things seem to
point TO the contrary, am Inclined to
believe that you have prospered dur
Ing these last five-and-twenty years?"
A growI 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 it's 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 I'm ribbons; well,
this fine new uncle has coolly re-
quested me TO mend IL for himI Did
you ever hear of such thingp Why
don't he take it TO n tailor2 It's all IN
rags-and I'm not going to do itl''
Nellie took the dilapidated garment,
while a slight wrinkle appeared on
her usually smooth young brow. II
quickly vanished. however, and she
reached for her workbox.
"You aren't going 10 do it2 I Iwouldn't
touch itp' Gertie declared.
I'D rather mend IL than have him
wear IL as It is; / hate 10 sec ragged
old meni'' said Nellie.
But he'll bring you his old shoes
next and ask you 70 patch them"
''Iis boots. would be step beyond
I me-" laughed Nellie, "but this Is easy
enough, and IL won't take long. Now,
II ever / have the management of O
boy III bring him up to sew and to
keep his own clothes In apple-pie or
der. He shall have n thimbie and
scissors and well-stocked worifbag,
and he shall learn TO handle needle
as well as a jacknkife. Whyl here's
something slipped down between the
lining and the outside, Gertie--a fve-
dollar gold piecel I'm glad Uncle Sam
brought IL TO you, after all, else he
might never have seen HIS money
againi" Eetlie's fingers flew rapidly,
and IL was not long before she ex-
claimed: "Therei it's finished now, as
we'll ne / can do IL. You'd better take
IL right back TO him, and tho gold
piece. too"
Gertie disappeared, but IN a moment
she returned with flushed face, and,
dropping the gold piece into Nellie's
lap, she stammered:
"He-he told me 70 keep II for mend
ing The coat, and IL hadn't courage
TO tell him didn't do II, 80 It's yours
for I sha'n't take Il. And Nellie, In
spite Of his looking 20 shabby. / be-
lievo he's awfully rich, and he's come
here this way just 20 end out what
we're like, and what we need. wish
he'd adopt us and take as away from
here; hos a great deal nicer than
Unols Johnp'
30, Gertiep' cried Nellie, indignant
| ". mo, you must keep II, for he gave
II 20 you. But IL he's ever 80 rich, I'd
be ashamed TO talk 50 when Uncle
John has been 30 kind What would
We have done when mother died n he
had not been willing 70 give us home2
! And didn't he promise 60 take care Of
ns at school until wo were old enough
! 90 teach and support ourselves7 It's
very ungratcful 70 say Uncle Silas -
I nicer, just because he has given you q
+ bright gold piecer"
Gertie was quite nnmoved by her
sisters Indignation; but finding that
/ Nellie utterly refused 20 share her sud
/ den bright anticipations she finally
I descended TO the kitchen end took old
Susan into her confidence, much 70
that good woman's astonishment
I nft~r - fr. .f..gf