The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-07-27

'Not if I know it, " said Mrs. Elder
top. "He's my guest, and my guest he
shall remain"
"But if I'm to share equally with
you," said Mrs Larkins, 81 ought to
show him some attention, the dear,
generous hearted old mani"
''Lest he should alter his WILL"
shrewdly remarked Sister Jenny. "You
always were a worldly creature Becky !"
''No more than yourselfr' said Mrs.
Larkins, bristling up. ''But it's my
family am thinking of, Jenny. I'll
tell you .what-I'n come around and
see him tomorrow"
''But don't you breathe a syllable
about the will, said Mrs. Eldertop, in
a mysterious whisper.
"Oh, not for worldsI" 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 mothers
only 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
point of it-but 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. 81 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
to depart, with her handkerchief to her
eyes, little Johnny Eldertop came clam.
oring for piece of paper to cut kite
tail from.
"Go along" said Mrs. Eldertop i'm
patiently.
"We've no paper here. Go to Ame-
lio.''
"Hold on, little chap-hold onl'' said
Uncle Caleb, fumbling in his overcoat
pocket-he had been just about starting
for walk when the Larkins party ar
rived-"here's bit as is of no use to
nobody"
And he produced the trough draft"
and bestowed it en- Johnny.
"One sides written on" said he
"and t'other amt. 1t was lying on the
floor in Mr.. Watkins law office when I
stepped in to see if Joseph Hall was en-
ployed there as porter still. An old
chum of mine Hall was, in Tortoise
Hollow. l can't bear to see even a bit
of paper wasted, so 1 axed the clerk if it
was of any use. He said not was
only draft of Dr. Falcons will. DR..
Falcon made a new will every six
months, he said, so I 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 kite tail"
Mrs. Larkins looked at Mrs. Elder
top. Mr.. Eldertop stared into the spec
tacled eyes of Mr.. Larkins.
Uncle Caleb chuckled benevolently as
little Johnny skipped away with the
piece of paper which had been freighted
with such a wealth of anticipation.
The Larkinses took leave without any
unnecessary formula of adieu, and Mrs.
Eldertop took occasion to tell Uncle
Caleb that perhaps he had better prose-
cute his original design of the Graves
end visit.
because we're expecting company
tomorrow" said she, "and our best
room will be wanted for while And, "
she added, within herself, 81 will take
good care that it shan't be empty again,
just at present.
So Uncle Caleb Cheverel went to
Gravesend, where Cousin John was as
poor and warm hearted as himself, and
he was never invited to return to Lon
don again.
Five years later Uncle Caleb departed
this life and left behind him e20, 600
in consols-willed to John Clark. To
his "dear nieces," Jane Eldertop and
Rebecca Larkins, he left e5 each to pay
for the trouble he put them to when he
visited them. To say that there was
joy in the nieces' households when the
will was read would be to say what is
false, for, if the old man could have
guessed at all the unkind things that
would be uttered regarding him, doubt
If he would have left them even So
each -GlasgnW Scottish Niphts