The Somerset reporter., 1898-11-24


his father.
Uncle Job, who has begun a new
work on geology, shuts himself up in
his third story back room and allows the
world without to wag as it will
And it soon begins to wag in very
cheerless manner for the two welded
young folks.
But though shut out from one loved
paradise. he has his Nan-his dear, lit
tie, brave Nan, who smiles through
great, unshed tears upon him, when
suddenly she meets his sorrowful gaze
after many long quarter of an hours
silent retrospection.
"Oh, it must come right soon, Plant
they never would shut you out OF
their lives foreverV'
you don't know them," mutters
the boy.
I'm pretty we'll acquainted with
you, dear. and if any father or mother
could treat such son as you are so
scuryily-there that's an ugly word,
know, Plant, but it's the right one to
use in this instance--all | have to say
is that they don't deserve suoh>a good
child-there and two pretty arms,
barred to the elbow for kitchen oonven-
fence, find their fond way about the
neck of her chosen lord.
Her chosen lord smiles family at this
speech and tries desperately to rally his
dropping spirits
1t was "a very humble position that
the college bred Plantagenet Altick
found himself obliged to accept to keep
the little house going-the only position
open to him when he, beside himself
with just Indignation at an unreason-
able opposition and great and absorb
ing love, broke bounds and besought
the fait.ful Nan to leave her position
as governess in a wealthy family and
share his five roomed cottage and his
meager salary.
Nan, too used to poverty to let it
frighten her, and imagining, innocent
soul, that no one could long be angry
at SO dear a boy as Plant, consented,
and the home coming, though lone
some little affair, brought with it hap
piness enough to last fortnight at
least.
Then Plantagenet saw that there was
to be.no relenting on the part of those
be loved and reverenoed with all the
strength of his boyish nature, and his
grief grew greater with every passing
hour, To crown all, he had lost his po-
sition the second week in the November
following, owing to the insolvency Of
the firm by which he had been employ
ed, and, though they have given him
splendid recommendations, there is no
position easily obtainable.
One morning a stray thought finding
its way from out that great, mysterious
silence SO full Of untried possibilities,
comes to him suddenly and sends him
upon it's own little errand straight to
Uncle Job
Up a long flight of front stairs, up
short back flight and several knocks
upon door panel cause it to open and
discover to young Altick room Uttered
with papers, books, trays of specimens
and two or three volumes of Hugh Mil
Ter.
Good morning, Uncle Jobl"
How dye do, Plantagenet?"
Il do mlserably, thank you, sir I'm
Gle Job, I've lost my position, and-and
if could help you in any way-copy-
ing or the like-I write tolerably de-
cent hand, sir and l thought perhaps
you like to hire me"-
"No-no-nol Not even though
you re Yale fellow we'll met I'd
not trust you with theml Not a soul
save myself shall do "a line of writing
on these particular manuscripts. What's
the matter?'
Firm | worked for failed
"Humph How's Nan?'
How should she be? Happy and
joyous as BELTS bride-the bride of
man shut out from home, and who has
not a red cent in his pocket Heaven
knows where tomorrow's bread and
butter will come from p
And it won t tell. lisa sort of hab-
it it has got into, you see about be-
ing sort of mysterious over the ends it
has in view. But there, you may sort
out the numbered pages for me from
among the litter yonder, and we'll see
about the bread and butter for tomor'
row. Tomorrow is Thursday-b me,
boy, it's Thanksgiving"-
Thanksgiving So it is. Thanks
giving. .
Your tone of voice would suggest
that you hadn't the dearest little wife
in the world to be thankful for. Shame
upon you, my nephew. There, I'm not
a rich man, as rich men go, but take
this bill to Nan and tell her it's from
her Uncle job
Late upon this same afternoon Pro
fessor Altick, basket ON arm, goes from
greeugrocer to butcher shop, intent
upon his purchase Of Thanksgiving
turkey. The fowl he means to buy he
will offer to his nephews in turn, feel
ing sure that ne who accepts it will no
doubt ask him to share their dinner, be
it Tom, Dick or Harry or Toms dis
obedient son With an unmistakable
grin of amusement the dealer in poultry
places very thin, very poor, very blue
about the breastbone, low priced tur-
key in Uncle Jobs basket
Early Thanksgiving morning the old
professor starts out through the cold
uncertain sunlight that shines fitfully
through the riffs of hurrying, wind
swept clouds. and, basket on arm, finds
his way to Thomas Altick's elegant
home. He rings and is admitted.
Good morning, Uncle Job. Any
thing | can do for you this morning.
"No, Thomas, thank you. It's some