Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-04-21
UrcIc Ned's Queer Crop.

"Sh-ep-h-e-r-d."
well. Willie" said his mother, en-
couraginsly, what does s-h-e-p-h-e-r-d
spell?'
sheep penr' thOughtlessly exclaimed
Willie, as he turned abruptly to see who
opened the hall door.
There stood Uncle Ned with a small
coil Of wire and little tin box which
contained something that ratified.
20, Uncle Ned. going to make the
canes this mOrning?" inquired Willie
anxiously, at the same time giancins
down to the lesson before him.
Pm going to start them, my boy, but
II will take the sun and rain months to
make them. I think mamma will ex-
cuse you this morning from your les
son, so you can go with me-" turning
to his sister inQuiringly. III you prom
ise to have an extra good lesson to-mor
row."
The best ever had, mamma, really
and truly" was Willle's eager promise,
as he ran to the bookcase with his
Third Reader. Then he hurried to the
closet for his cap.
Don't forget your rubbers," called
ma n2ma.
When they reached the edge Of the
woods, Uncle Ned carefully examined
many Of the baby trees. Finally he Sc
lected a few straight saplings about
one-half-inch in diameter.
These" he said to Willie, will make
excellent canes"
Are they large enough for big man
like papaY
Not now; but by fall they'll thicken
enough SO they'll be just about the
right size" and Uncle Ned took from
his pocket the little tin box and coll Of
wire.
"Going to make them all for your
self:" asked Willie.
"Oh, no; shall give them away" re-
piled Uncle Ned, at the same time re-
moving the cover from the mysterious
box.
What do you suppose was in It? Let
tiers cut out Of thin sheets Of tin. Uncle
Ned selected three-F, A, L.
why, those are papa's initialsr' ex-
claimed Willie with delight. what
are you going to do with themr'
BE patient, my boy, and watch" and
Uncle Ned uncoiled a roll of wire as he
spoke. "Now hold this r there" said
he as be placed the letter well down to-
ward the base Of the sapling. Then
with the fine wire that he held in his
hand, he bound the letter firmly in
place. Soon the A and the L were fast
ened 10 the bark in the same way.
"Will these stay there always" ques
toned Willie, curiously.
mo. indeedf The wire will hold them
in place during the summer" explained
Uncle Ned. land all the while the bark
will be growing up around the edges Of
the letters and in the open spaces be-
tween the lines, so that by fall the tin
letters can be removed, leaving in the
wood perfectly formed letters of light
color which will be surrounded by
raised border"
wouldn't 1 like oner' exclaimed
Willie.
From the box Uncle Ned selected
three more letters-W. ], L.
Willie clapped his hands gieefully.
for they were the initials Of his own
name, Willie J. Loring.
What an interesting morning 1t was,
helping Uncle Ned start his funny crop
Of canes.
In the fall. we'll come out and gather
them," laughed Willie. as they started
for the house.-A. f. Caldwell. In
Youths Companion.
Saying Of Children.
Papa, don't say must to me: h
makes me feel won't all over"
Gladys-What are '>tAe Aleat watch
es Of the night" Dtheif Dthel-I don't
know, unless it's those they've forgot
ten to wind up.