The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-11-16


Eben--put it back. We've no business
to be prying into Uncle Caleb's Sc
crets; but what blessing it is he
came here, instead of stopping at Re-
becca Larkins'?"
And when Uncle Cheverel came
down stairs he was surprised at the
sweet smiles with which his niece
Jerusha welcomed him.
'Been mending my coat, eh?" said
Uncle Cheverel "rhank'ee kindly,
Jerusha. caught it on nail yester-
day, and was calculating to sew it
up myself when could borrer needle
aud thread"
''Pm glad to be of use, Uncle
Caleb" beamed Mrs. Eldertop.
Johnny, put on your cap and run
to the grocer's for smoked mackerel
for your uncle's breakfast. 1 hope
you found your room comfortable,
Uncle Caleb?"
Before she slept that night Mrs.
Eldertop put on her bonnet and shawl
and ran around to the Larkins man
sion to impart her wonderful tidings to
sister Rebecca.
"You don't say sol' cried ont the
astonished matron.
Gospel TRUTH" said Mrs. Eldertop.
81 saw it with my own eyes"
"He must come here" said Mrs.
Larkins, resolutely.
''Not il / know it," said Mrs. Elder
top. Hes my guest, and my quest
he shall remain"
"But if I'm to share equally with
you," said Mrs. Larkins, "I ought
to show him some attention, the dear,
generous-hearted old manp
Lest he should alter his will,"
shrewdly remarked sister Jerusha.
"You always were a worldly creature,
Becky"
'No more than YOURSELF" said Mrs.
Larkins, bristling up. "But it's my
family am thinking of, Jerusha. I'll
tell you what-I'll come around and
see him tomorrow.
"But don't you breathe a syllable
about the WILL" said Mrs. Eldertop
in a mysterious manner.
"Oh, not for worlds!" said Mrs. Lar
kins, fervently.
During the next week Uncle Chew
erel was overwhelmed with civilities.
On Thursday new suit of clothes ar
rived, with Mr.. Larkins' best love and
compliments. On Friday Mrs. Lar
kins came with an open barouche 10
take dear Uncle Caleb for drive in
the park. And on Saturday Mrs. FL
dertop burst into tears and declared
she should never be happy again il
her mothers only brother didn't
pledge himself, then and there, to
make his future home with herself
ard Eben.
Uncle Caleb looked little puzzled.
"Well," said he, ''if you really
make point'of it--but / was calcu-
laiing on going to visit Cousin Ezekiel
in Ohio"
"Dear uncle, promise me to stay
here alwaysW cried Mrs. Eldertop,
Historically.
Just as you say, niece Jerusha,"
assented the old man. complacently.
Mrs. Eldertop felt that she had car
ried her point.
But when Mr.. and Mrs. Larkins
came on Sunday afternoon to press q
similar petition Uncle Caleb opened
his eyes.
"My stock seems to have riz in the
market" observed he. quantity. 'I
never was in such demand among my
relatives befo'e. But / can't be in
two places at once, that's plain"
And he decided to remain with Mrs.
Eldertop, greatly to the Indignation
of the Larkins family, who did not hes
itate to hint boldly at unfair advan-
tages and undue impartiality.
But, just as Mrs. Larkins was ris-
ing to depart, with her handkerchief
to her eyes, little Johnny Eldertop
came clamoringi in for piece of paper
to cut out a fox-chase on.
$50 along" said Mrs. Eldertop, i'm.
patiently. ''We've no paper here.
Go to Amelia Ann"
! "Hold on, little chap-hold on, "
said Uncle Caleb, fumb ing in his over
coat pocket-he had been Just starting
for walk when the Larkins party ar.
rived.-"here's bit as is Of no uso to
nobody"
And he produced the trough draft"
and bestowed it on Johnny.
"One sides written on" said he,
"and t'other amt. 1t was lying on
the floor in Judge Watterly's law Of
fee when stopped in to soc ii Joseph
Hall was employed there as porter
yet. An old chum of mine Hail was
in Tortoise Hollow. 1 can't bear to
see even bit of paper wasted, so
axed the clerk ii it was of no use. He
said not was only drauSht OF DIR.
Falcons will. DIR. Falcon made O
new will every six months, he said;
sol jest picked it up and put it in
my pocket. Everything comes in use
once in seven years, they say; and
this is just right for little Johnny's
chase"
Mrs. Larkins looked at Mrs. Elder,
top; Mr.. Eldertop stared into the spec
tacled eyes Of Mr.. Larkins.