Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-09-28
Uncle George $ Visit.

You would have thought he was
the Prince Of Wales or at least a
lord or a duke, by the way they
treated him.
But be wasn't. There was moth
ing blue-blooded or princely about
him. He was only plain George
Lewis, rough, hardened old miner,
who had gone to the Black Hills
when he was boy, and by long
years of toll had amassed fortune.
And now he had come home to
enjoy and visit his fashionable, but
by no means wealthy relations.
"Mr. Leslie" that gentleman 3
wife announced one evening al the
dinner table, "my uncle George,
whom l have never seen, is coming
to visit US within a few weeks, and
be says he may stay month or two
and may conclude to make his home
with us if
snake his home with us ~ snort
ed Mr.. Leslie, putting down his cup
of coffee with vicious jerk. "Well,
I guess not. I don't object to your
poor relations coming here once in
a while for a few days, but as for
one quartering himself with us for
the rest of his natural lifetime it's
too much. Haven't l told you"
eff it's agreeable" went on Mrs.
Leslie, calmly resuming at the point
where she had been interrupted by
her irate spouse, as though nothing
had happened.
And he says that he has made q
large fortune and thinks, as he is
over sixty years of age and in rather
poor health, he wants to enjoy a few
years Of rest before he dies
No stage transformation scene
was ever half SO wonderful as the
change that took place on the club
by face of Mr.. Leslie. His gray
sidewhiskers fairly bristled with a
new-found joy.
But be tried hard TO conceal his
change Of sentiment. That was d.
plomacy. And one of Mr.. Leslies
fondest decisions was that he was
second Machiavelll.
swell, guess we can find room
for him. How would it do to put
him in the front room upstairs
Now, don't you think it ought to be
repapered, Mrs. Leslie ~ said the
husband.
And, of course, Mrs. Leslie, who
had been asking for such an i'm
provement for some weeks, eagerly
assented and thanked her stars for
more than one reason that her uncle
was coming.
Wont it be splendid to have him
here !? said Miss Leslie, rather
tall, stately young woman, whose
ideas ran much to society. "May-
be now I'll get that pair of diamond
earrings | have been waiting for SO
long"
'He may be such a horrid old guy
we shall all be ashamed of him."
suggested slangly Miss Bessie,
year younger than her sister Flor
ence. Fancy him sitting on our
veranda with big SLOUGH hat and
his trousers tucked into his BOOTS
when the De Goodleys drive by.
How they will laugh at us !"
"Do you think uncle George
would buy me a pair of ponies mann
ma 7" queried young Robert, who
though but nine years of age, ap-
peared keenly alive to the situation.
Uncle George came. He was a
very modest, unassuming gentleman,
with bronzed face and the quiet
ways OF man who has been an ex-
lie from society for years. And,
strange to say, he was rather averse
to talking about the family history.
"He's very modest man, Uncle
George is said Mrs. Leslie, ex-
planning this popularity to neigh
Dor. "But do you know she said,
in mysterious whisper, he must be
very wealthy. / know he must be
getting ready to make US some
splendid present. For l saw him
counting over an enormous roll of
bills the other day, as though be
were studying what to buy
Mr.. Leslie, too. was likewise Gag
erly expectant. He had really be-
gun to like Uncle George-at least
he thought he did.
And so IL went down to the young
est member of the family. Uncle
George, it must be owned, Jared
pretty we'll.
They even gave a grand party in
honor of the newly arrived relation
from the West. All their friends
were invited. The caterers were
given carte blanche. It was really
q fine affair.
I've wish 20 spare no pains TO
- J. H. .--t~ f.-r 3,