The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-04-26
Mr.. SPATTERDOCK'S
MISTAKE.
BY HELEN WHITNEY CLARK.
"It'll never do-neverl"

~ III never uO-neNer!
Mr.. Spatterdock shook his head at
some imaginary auditor, as he stood
warming himself, with his back to the
fire.
The blazing hickory logs snapped
and crackled, sending cheerful
warmth through the snug room, with
its heavy mahogany furniture, fresh
ingram carpet, and gaily Aowered cur
tains.
"Rob's likely young fellow, and if
he must get married, there's no reason
why he should throw himself away on
poor girl, with nothing to bless her.
self with but pair of cherry cheeks
and coal-black eyes, or whatever color
they are-I amt never sot eyes on the
girl. But Rob Greenaway's my own
nephew, and it's my dooty to look after
him. Marrying, indeedl What the
dickens does he take sech silly no.
tion in his head for, anyway? / amt
never married, aud look at met"
And, truly, Mr.. Spatterdock seemed
an enviable man, if he was an old
bachelor, nearly forty.
His housekeeper was model of
thrift and neatness. Not nook or a
Granny of the big old farmhouse but
what was swept, and secured and gar
nished. Not pane of glass, but was
sheer and speckless as French mir
ror. And you might dance a Jig on
any of the carpets and not raise mote
OF dust to show in the brightest sun.
beam.
Wash-day comes every Monday, aud
ironing every Tuesday, rain or shine,
week in and week out, from one years
end to years end.
Look at mel'continued Mr. Spatter-
dock, still addressing his imaginary
auditor. ''I've never married, and,
what's more, I've never wanted to.
And Rob will get over this notion, too,
If only Let me see. It's no use argu-
flying with young fellow that's sot as
q mule when he takes n notion; and
the Greenaways allus was obstinate.
'1'll send him away awhile-three
months or so, anyhow. There's sister
Roseanna, living over to Sweetgum
Holler. I'll send him there for two or
three months, he'll forget all about her
in that time. Or mebbe kin see the
girl herself, and sort of buy her of,
like. Yes, that's what I'll do. Hillo,
Rob! that you?"
MIR. Spatterdock' greeting was sus-
piciously warm, but Rob seemed not
to notice it.
"Good- d-morning, uncle" he returned,
rather soberly. ''You wanted to
see me, believer"
''Yes, Rob-"
A rather stormy interview ensued,
in which the uncle, however, came
out successful.
swell, we'll, and so that's settled,
anyhow"
Mr.. Spatterdock had come home a
few hours later. having accompanied
his nephew to the railroad station and
watched the train speed off,
''Rob's off safe and sound, "he NUT
tered, punching the fire till it blazed
like young Vesuvius. ''He didn't
like the notion of going, at first. Reck-
on he Thought ] was a.goin TO send
him clear to Iniyl But, soon as he
%Stssf ~"e<o Nh'y AS'sJ W
Sweetgum Holler, he got as chirk as a
bull-tarrier. He'spromised not to let
a soul know where he's gone. an I've
promised, II they're both in the same
notion three months from now, won't
~ nothin' more again it.
But it's my business to see they
nn't both in the same notion. must
60 and call on Miss Penny--Petti--
whatever the name Island try to fix
Il up somehow or another"
1t was more the meddling Of the
women folks than anything else which
had set Mr.. Spatterdock against his
nephew's choice.
''Real common sort of folks they
are" declared Mrs. Ruhama Chick
pen, ''and nobody knows where they
come from. nor what they've ben. /
shouldn't low it, Mr.. Spatterdock. !"
But % Mrs. Chickpea's eldest
daughter, Rebecca, was known to bs
<settipg her cap for Rob Grssnsway.
NJ I|. ~ t.I ". W y RI. ||... n. Ii II|I i.I".I