The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-23

parted forever once a MONTH But he
didn't tell the youngsters anything
about this, only took up Babs on his
broad shoulders and walked along so
fast that Rex had to trot to keep up
with him. ~
Why does you laugh, Misser Bur-
toni" inquired Babs.
"Oh, because you're such a funny
little girl to go hunting buffaIoes."
But it was Wex Eat was goin' to
shoot zem," apologized she
"Oh, l beg his pard6n," said the jo-
via lold farmer. Perhaps he would
like to stop behind and shoot them
now?"
But Rex thought they had better be
getting home, as It was so late. Buff
faloes, he admitted in his private mind,
were not SO nice to hunt in the dark.
As they were crossing the hollow a
big gentleman came striding along.
Here's Uncle Jack!'' they both ex-
claimed at once.
why, Babs = Rex" cried he, in
amazement. Whatever
oh, they've come to look after you,
Mr.. Jack" said old Burton, solemnly
They'll tell you al about it. Perhaps
you'll see EN- home, as it is getting
late"
So saying, he disappeared over a
stile with remarkable agility for his
years and size. All the way home he
laughed, until Rover thought that he
must be going mad, like some ILL
balanced dogs in the hot weather. All
that evening he chuckled to himself
until his dame confided to rhs hired
man that the master had something on
his mind for certain; and the hired
man thought that "mebbe he'd had an
offer for the heifer." But not for many
a long day did he tell the story Of the
hunters
well. you young pickles." said
Jack who-used- to- be-uncle what the
dickens are you doing here? What the
deuce am to do with your" he added,
under his breath, as he shouldered the
grille.
Babs looked at Rex, and Rex looked
at Babs.
1--WE were looking for you," said the
hunter. at length
"'Cause we fort said the huntress;
and then she, too, stopped.
Uncle Jack smiled dismally, and
kissed them both. "Wen?" he in
quired.
I'VE 'spected you'd been naughty
explained Rex.
ITO Auntie JILL" added Babs,
"'cause she's been cwyin'"
Awful said Rex, solemnly
"An' we 'spected you'd be sowwy,"
pleaded Babs, cuddling up to him.
Elise no one wouldn't love you," put
d III
advancing years justified judicial at
| titude.
Jack hesftated and queer lump
came up in his threat. Jill was a tire
some little tease It hadn't been al
together his fault But Jill crying!
Dear little Jill! who told you to
Gomez" said he. looking puzzled.
Nobody answered Rex.
1--WE folded our own selves" ex-
planned Babs.
OF course Jill wouldn't send them:
he might have known that. why do
you think Auntie Jill cried because I'd
been naughty"
"'Cause she cwies when Wex is
naughty, an mamma puts him
Don't be such a donkey, Babs!" in
terrupted Rex, Indignantly.
Well" said Jack, II suppose must
take you young rascals home, anyhow .
AN say you's sowwy," pleaded Gold
enhair
Il should, if I were you,'' counseled
Rex. putting his hand in that Of Uncle
who-used-to- be. because he was a very
nice uncle, and nine isn't 80 old in the
dark. Men must put up with some
thing from girls and ladies. and be Kind
to Them" he preached. so!emnly.
That's real true. Ny dada says So"
Jack didn't say much, but he held
them very tight, and carried Rex as
well as Babs in the gloomiest part of
| the lane, where no one could see
| So it wasn't long before they came to
the house, where every one seemed in
trouble, except libby cat, who was doz-
ing unconcernedly in front of the fire.
Dada, who had Just come home, was
starting out to look for them, Sarah.
the nurse, and Jane, the housemaid.
having just returned from a vain
search. Cook was blinking over the
kitchen fire about .'them children" till
she let things burn. and mamma was
sobbing on the sofa in the drawing
room because she was not we'll enough
|
wretched of all, because she had cried
all her tears away in the afternoon
and had none left for the babies.
| What shout OF delight went up as
| they came in through the open door!
Dada snatchedt up his boy, and mamma
called eagerly for them from the draw
ing-room, so Jack followed in with Babs
half asleep in his arms. Dada and
mamma looked nowhere but at the chill
dren, while Jack and jill looked every
where but at each other. Then Rex
and Babs laughed and chartered, and
began to explain matters. We've
/ fetched Uncle Jack" said Rex, in q
matter of fact tone, ito see Auntie Jill.
And he's going to take US fishing TO-
morrow afternoon, If you'll let him.
AN he's goin' to be so welly, welly
good" asserted Babs emphatically, "zat
Auntie jill won't be sowwy and cwy.
not ever any more"
| Mamma looked astounded, and Auntie
Jill found just one tear to come half
out of each eye-for 1t hadn't been all
Jacks fault really you know. Jack
stepped q little nearer to her, and half
held out one hand and half didn't.
Don't be silly. children, you do not
understand" said mamma. reproving-
ly. But dada smiled one of his quiet
smiles, as taking one little one upon
each knee he sat on the sofa beside
mamma. II think they do" said he.
Then Jack got very near Jill, and took
hold Of both her hands. "ldy dear lit
tie JILL" said he, rather brokenly. And
she put her head on his shoulder and
cried, and said-but really 1t isn't fair
| fair to tell what she said Anyhow II