Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-02-11
AGENUINEL0VD AFFAIR

HAP said Uncle Obed, with his
most disagreeable and forbidding air.
$50 you expect me to pay your debts,
do you, sir?"
II thought that perhaps You would be
kind enough to help me, answered his
nephew Jim humbly.
Ibid you? Then you thought wrong,
young man. Do you suppose have
nothing better to do with my money
than to squander il on an idle young
reprobate like yourself?'
81 admit that / have been-er-what
you say in the past, uncle, but have
given it all up now and taken to steady
ways. / have, upon my honor, and be-
lieve that if I could once get rid Of my
debts should do very we'll. F"
That's the old story, " sneered Uncle
Obed. 'Penitence and reformation when
the sinews of self indulgence fail and
while the discomforts Of debts are press
ing. But once set free, with rehabili-
tated credit, you'd launch out like a
lord. know you, Jim"
Upon my word, uncle" replied Jim
earnestly, lyon wrong me, indeed you
do. My one aim and object now is to
settle down into quiet, steady fellow. "
And there's another thing" the old
gentleman went on, without noticing
his nephew's protest. "What takes You
down to Bigham so often, eh."
II go down there to play golf" said
Jim. coloring. however, under his
uncle's scrutinizing gaze.
"a nice occupation for struggling
young barrister to bc wasting time and
money upon. even il the excuse wero
truel But it isn't, sir. A girl Is ut the
bottom Of your constant Journeys to
Bigham. and you can't deny IT."
"Uncler'
Don't uncle me. you reprobate, you
silly, philandering young idiot! al
ways knew you were fool. but hard
ly suspected you Of such abject folly as
this. To think Of running after penni-
less girl, n paupcr, poor relation, de-
pendent entirely on her aunt's bounty,
and you situated as you are. It's worse
than suicide, sir"
Uncle Obed by this time had grown
very red and was evidently working
himself up into one Of his most violent
RACES.
Il do not quite know what you have
heard or from whom you have heard
II, began Jim. ncttled by his uncle's
overbearing tone, ''but"-
Never mind the butts, the other in.
terrupted him rudely. "It's no use, your
trying 20 throw dust in my eyes. heard
the whole truth only yesterday from
Miss Bailey, the young lady's aunt, aud
with whom she lives rs companion.
And properly disgusted the aunt is too
Says she shall send the girl away unless
she gives up her insane engagement to
You. And serves her right. Poor rela-
tions have no business to fall in love
with one another.
Look here. Uncle Obed," exclaimed
Jim, firing up, lyon may pitch into mo
as much as You please. I'm used TO IL
from you. but not word against
Gladys Boyd. She's everything that s
good and true and pure and"--
ugly" interposed his uncle. stop
ping Jim's outbreak. "She has monopo-
lized all the plainness Of the family"
And all their brains, " retorted Jim.
"She has none OF their money, you
idiotr'
"And mono Of their vulgarity."
Uncle Obed was now very red-in-
deed almost purple.
"This is nice tone to assume to youi
uncle" he said, especially when you
como asking favors from him."
Il can't help it, uncle. It's your
fault for abusing Gladys. She's the best
and dearest girl in the world. l loyo
her with all my heart. and / mean to
marry her. "
"How do You propose 10 marry on
nothing year, demanded his uncle.
Perhaps you think the girl will ges
some Of her aunt's money. But sho
won't-not penny. That have ascer-
tanned.
mo difficult matter, said Jim scorn
fully. Miss Bailey never ceases to i'm
press that fact upon oil her acquaint-
ances.
"She is quite right, you puppy, Ill
spite Of your sneers, retorted Unclo
Obed. ''In these matters little present
candor saves great future misery. You
had better be equally candid with that
silly chit Of q girl and tell her that your
prospects as regards my fortune are, to
say the least of il. remote.
"She knows it" answered Jim curt
", too much annoyed now to think OF
diplomacy. II told her that when ]
asked her to marry me. )"
eyes; have no doubt You represent.
ed me to her in pretty light But You
don't suppose care. do you? Your bad
opinion of me is infinitely more fiatter-
ing than your good, assure you F"
Jim acknowledged the compliment
with a sarcastic smile, which made
Uncle Obeds red face turn a distinct
shade redder.
"This is enough of your impudence, '
he said angrily. II will give you my
ultimatum without further waste OF
words. Although you're an idle, worth.
less fellow who deserves no assistance,
yet for your poor mothers sake / should
be sorry to see you drift into the work
house. On that accoumt-and on that
account only-I am willing 70 help You.
But / make one condition. You must
break off your engagement with that
penniless girl, and then I'll pay your
debts, set you ON your legs and perhaps
mention you in my will. II you refuse,
you II not get farthing from me, either
now or hereafter. )"
'.I do refuse, answered Jim unhesi'
tatingly. II had rather starve than
touch your money ON such terms"
Uncle Obed's face was study.
"That is final?" he demanded in al
awful voice.
"Quitep
VERY well. Then clear out Of this
Immediately! III never see you or speak
to you againl And you may go to the
devil as fast as you pleaseP'
''Thank You, said his nephew. bow.
ing himself out 'I'd even do that b.
fore I'd give up Gladys Boyd. "
A few seconds later he banged the
street door behind him, to the great
standardization of his uncles sleek but
ler, and hurried away at the rate OF five
miles an hour in the attempt to walk
off his disappointment and indignation.