Smyrna times., 1899-06-28

''I'm glad to he of use, Uncle Caleb"
beamed Mrs. Eldertop. "JOhnny, put !
ON your cap and run to the grocer's for
a smoked iaackerel for your uncle's
breakfast. I hope yOu found your room
comfortable, Uncle CalebY'
Before she slept that night Mrs. Ell
dertOp put on her bonnet and shawl and
ran around to the Larkins mansion to
impart her wonderful tidings to Sister
Rebecca.
"You don't say sol' cried out the
astonished matrCn.
"Gospel truth" said Mrs Eldertop.
81 saw it with my own eyes. -
'He must come here said Mrs.
Larkins resolutely.
"Not if know it, - said Mrs Elder
top. Hes my guest, and my guest he
shall remain.
"But if I'm to share equally with
you, -" said Mrs. Larkins, Il ought to
show him some attention, the dear,
generous hearted old MANI
Lest he should alter his will"
Ghrewdly remarked Sister Jenny. "You
always were a worldly creature Becky -
''NO more than yourselfr' said Mrs
Lariins, bristling up. "But it's my
family am thinking of, Jenny. I'll
tell you what-Pn come around and
zee him tomorrow.
"But don't you breathe a syllable
! about the will" said Mrs Eldertop, in
a mysterious whisper.
"Oh, not for wOrlds" said Mrs.
Larkins fervently.
| During the next week Uncle Cheve-
rel was overwhelmed with civilities.
On Thursday a new suit of clothes ar
rived, with Mrs. Larkins' best love and
compliments On Friday Mrs. Lakins
came with an open barouche to take
dear Uncle Caleb for a drive in the
park. And on Saturday Mrs. EldertOp
burst into tears and declared she should
be never happy again if her. mother 5
oEy brother didn't pledge himself then
and there to make his future home with
herself and Will.
Uncle Caleb looked little puzzled.
well said he. ''if you really make
a point of it-bNt l was intending to
meet Cousin John at Gravesend "
"Dear uncle. promise me to stay here
always" cried Mrs Eldertop.
"Just as you say, Niece Jenny" as
sented 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 a
similar petition. Uncle Caleb opened
his eyes.
''My Importance seems to have gone
up in the market, he observed
quantity. II never was in such demand
among my relatives before. 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 hesi
: tate to hint boldly at unfair advantages
and undue impartiality..
But just as Mrs. Larkins was rising
4 to depart, with her handkerchief to hel
3 eyes, little Johnny Eldertop came clam
oring for piece of paper to cut kit
D tail from.
a $50 along" said Mrs. Eldertop i'm
: patiently.
r We've no paper here. Go to Anne
= lio.'
: Hold on, little chap-hold on! sal,
+. Uncle Caleb, .fumbling in his overcoa
d pOcket-he had been just about starting
for a walk when the Larkins party ar
rived here's bit as is of no use t
nobody"
. And he produced the trough draft
a and bestowed it On Johnny.
Zone sides written on" said he
d 'and t'other amt 1t was lying on tn
'e floor in Mr.. Watkins law Office when
It stepped in to see if Joseph Hall was EN-
st ployed there as porter still. An oil
le chum of mine Hall was, in Tortois
Hollow. 1 can't bear to see even b
of paper wasted, so l axed the clerk if
ID was of any use. He said not ws
TO only a draft of Dr. Falcons will. D.
Falcon made a new will every 81
10 months, he said, so l jest picked it u
as and put it IN my pocket. Everythir
Id comes in use once in seven years, the
ly say, and this is just right for litt
s. Johnny's kite tail. "
n Mrs. Larkins looked at Mrs. Eide
top. Mr.. Eldertop stared into the spe
rk tacled eyes of Mr.. Larkins.
lie Uncle Caleb chuckled benevolently
of little Johnny skipped away with Il
Id piece of paper which had been freight
with such a wealth of anticipation.
p. The Larkinses took leave without al
et unnecessary formula of adieu, and MI
p Eldertop took occasion to tell UnC
Caleb that perhaps he had better pros
err cute his original design of the Grave
end visit.
Ir. Because we're expecting compal
3 tomorrow, said she, land our bt
room will be wanted for while. And
re- she added, within herself, 81 will ia
good care that it shan't be empty agai
rt just at present.
4 So Uncle Caleb Cheverel went
red Gravesend, where Cousin John was
the poor and warm hearted as himself, a
in he was never invited to return to LIZ
don again.