The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-06

tell you that It's their wedding anniver-
saTy-Uncle Abner didn't say We inuse
bring presents, but i suppose that is
understood
They went I'm smiling.
II was the LIST OF April and quite warm
for northern New Hampshire at that sea-
son, but the snow still lay on the GROUND
sufficiently deep for excellent slelshlils,
and Uncle Abner's bells went JnsIh5
around to the different houses IN the w
lapc. as we'll as to these ia the country
near and his novel party was the topic
OF the hour. Ills face was beamins' anu
he had tho appearance OF Dig shiiiii
| bOv-N the expression Is alOWae le-WuO
| thinks he is doing something remarkably
| clever lie had asked Mrs. Powers, the
wife Of the Judge. and Miss smith, tne
| daughter Of the school superintendent, 10
| look after things. and Aunt Melissa mao
| invited Dorothy Gray TO come over ana
| help her sweep and fix up generally. NO
| one objected 10 the part assigned ana III
| Gle Abner bcamed more and more ana
| looked more and more important as lhe
time for the party approached.
The girls LAUGHED al Dorothy about the
special honor conferred upon her but II
was an k.nd-lcarted fun. ana Doiothy
didn't care. Dorothy was sweet girl or
seventeen. who bad been IN Eedlntion
only year. but who had won in That
time the love Of everybody who knew her
She boarded with some friends al lit
tie cottage near the Jones farm, ana tne
great hope OF her life was 10 De anle 10
20 20 college some time. When tnat some
time would Dee. however. 10 was hard 10
say, for IT, took AN her small income o.
buy the al sOlufcly necessary things. Dor
o;hy would finish at the academy IN June,
and after that-Wcll, she could only nope
ard resolve.
The night Of tho party came. and proved
20 be a perfect uieht-clear and moonlight
and quiet. At am early hour the guests
began 10 arrive at the Jones farm. and
were received by Uncle Abuer and Aunt
Melissa IN their best attire. Both looked
very happy, but Uncle Abncr wore an
air Of mystery that aroused the cufiosl-
ty OF every one.
WHATS coming now. 7 wonder Can II
De that the surprise isn't cvcrt' asked
Grace as the girls clustered together ln
one corner Of The parl0r
You can't tell anything by Aunt Mcils-
fa.' said Mabel, "she always pas just
that even. pleasant, unruiicd look on her
face. whether it's surprise party or
humps
Tie ether girls agreed. and they didn't
see what more there was 10 CONE, ana
Dorothy said perhaps De looked nle that
just because he was enjoying % so much.
while they were discussing the matter,
Uncle Abucr came up and asked ii they
were having q good time. And when they
assured him that they were, he smiled
Well lin bet horse that before the
evenings over. you'll say this d. the best
surprise party you was ever 10.
With those mysterious words. he de-
parted. and the girls began the discussion
over again brit they could find no cx-
PLANTATION of the problem.
They set too long tables in the large.
olQ-IasHlOucd slitlug-iuoln. Uncle ANnef
and Aunt Melissa praced the head and
foot az one. while Judge ana Mrs. Powers
presided over the other, and mcrrimcnt
Was the order OF the evening.
When every one had finished. and Uncle
ADncr had urged them to take something
uo... asurng them over aud over again
that they wore just as welcome ms though
they were at home, he looked around On
the company with "a satisfied face, ape
parcntiy conscious that what he was
about 10 say would produce a sensation.
Then ho cleared his throat.
Friends and neighb0rs,' be began,
while they all looked at him with Interest,"
cd attention. II told you that this d Doe
the best surprise party YOU was ever o.,
an meant Do And I'D tell you my rea-
son for it,"
Uncle Abner paused. cleared his throat
again, waited feW moments ana then
proceeded. while all eyes were fastened
upon him.
You an know Dorothy Gray" be said.
ana Dorothy turned red and shrank back
iu her chair. An YOU all know she's ID
mighty good girl, an mighty smart girl.
too. am She means 90 be d school ma ann
uu what s. more, She means 10 De "a ilr-t-
rate school ma am. AM she's SET her heart
on eoin TO Wesley. down in Massachu-
sctts. Uncle Abner paused again. and
everybody wondered what was coming
ncNt. Dorothy had grown pale.
Now ! believe when anybody's really
sot ON doin. thing that's what they
ought TO oo.' said Uncle AJnlr, "and Me
Everybody smiled. but Uncle Abncr
We've talked the matter over and
wcy decided that seem We haven't
d..