Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-11-06
aIways were worldly creature,


mo more than yourself!" said Mrs.
Larkins, bristling up. But it's my
family l am thinking of, Jenny. 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 whisper.
"Oh, not for worlds" said Mrs. Lar
kins, feryently.
During the next week Uncle Cheverel
was overwhelmed with civilities. On
Thursday new suit of clothes arrived.
with Mrs. Larkins' best love and com
pliments. On Friday Mrs. 1arkins
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 never be happy again If her
mothers only brother didn't pledge
himself then and there to make his
future home with herself and VIII.
Uncle Caleb looked little puzzled.
WELL" said he, 'if you really make
a point of it-but l was intending to
meet Cousin John at Gravesend."
Dear uncle, promise me to stay here
always" cried Mrs. Eldertop, hyster-
ically.
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 q similar
petition, Uncle Caleb opened his eyes,
my Importance seems to have gone
up in the market" he observed quaint
ly. 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
to depart, with her handkerchief to her
eyes, little Johnny Eldertop came
clamoring for piece of paper to cut
kite tail from.
GO along" said Mrs. Eldertop, i'm
patiently.
I'VE have no paper here. Go to
Amelia"
Hold on, little chap-hold on!" 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 "rough draft"
and bestowed it on Johnny.
| "One sides written on" said he, "and
| tother amt. 1t was lying on the floor
in Mr.. Watkins law office, when l
stepped in to see IL Joseph Hall was
employed there as porter still. An old
chum Of mine Hall was in Tortoise Hol-
low. l can't bear to see even a bit of
paper wasted, so l axed the clerk il 1t
was of any use. He said not was
only a draft of DIR. Falcons will. DR..
Falcon made a new will every six
months, he said, so just picked 1t 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 tall"
Mrs. Larkins looked at Mrs. Eldertop,
Mr.. Eldertop stared into the spectacled
eyes of Mr. Larkins.
Uncle Caleb chuckled benevolently
as little Johnny skipped away with the
piece of paper which had been freight
ed with such wealth Of anticipation.
The Larkinses took leave without any
unnecessary formula Of adieux, and
Mrs. Eldertop took occasion to tell
Uncle Caleb that perhaps he had better
prosecute his original design of the
Gravesend visit
Because we're expecting company
tomorrow, said she, "and our best
room will be wanted for a while. And"
she added within herself. I will take
good care II 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 depart
ed this life and left behind him G20,-
600 in consols-willed to John Clark
To his dear nieces," Jane Eldertop and
Rebecca Larkins, he left 95 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, l
+ doubt If he would have left them even
! G5 each.