The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-11-03

astonished matron.
Gospel truth" said Mrs. Eldertop
II saw it with my own eyes,"
| HE must come here,'' said Mrs
Larkins, resolutely.
| Not if know it," said Mrs. Elder
top, He's my guest, and my guest
he shall remain"
But il I'm to share equally with
YOU" said Mrs. Larkins, Il ought to
show him some attention. the dear,
| generous-hearted old man''
| LEST he should alter his will, :"
shrewdly remarked Sister Jenny. You
always was a worldly creature,
Beckyl"
mo more than yourself!" said Mrs.
Larkins, brisking up. "But it's my
family Pm thinking of, Jenny. I?il
tell you what-l'll come around and
see him tomorrow"
But don't you breathe a syllable
about the will" said Mrs. Eldertop,
in a mysterious whisper.
ION, not for worldsn' said Mrs.
Larkins, fervently.
During the next week Uncle Chew
erel was overwhelmed with civiities.
On Thursday new suit of clothes
arrived, with Mrs. Larkins' best love
and compliments. On Friday Mrs.
I.arkins came with an open barouche
to take dear Uncle Calico for a drive
in the park. And on Saturday Mrs.
Eldertop burst into tears and declar-
ed 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 Will.
Uncle Caleb looked a little puzzled.
Well said he, 'if you really make
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"
assented the old man, complacently.
Mrs. Eldertop felt that she had
carried her point.
But when Mr.. and Mrs. Larkins
came on Sunday afternoon, to press
similar petition, Uncle Caleb opened
his eyes.
my Importance seems to have
gone up in the market" he observed
quantity. Il never was in.such de-
mand among my relatives before.
But l 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
hesitate to hint boldly in unfair ad-
vantages and unique impartiality.
But just as Mrs. Larkins was rising
to depart, with her handkerchief to
her eyes, little Johnny Eldertop came
clamoring for a piece Of paper to cut
kite tail from.
Go alongr' said Mrs. Eldertop,
impatiently.
We've no paper here. Go to Anne
lia."
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 arrived-'here's bit
as is of no use TO nobody"
And he produced the trough draft"
and bestowed it to Johnny.
zone sides written on,'' said he,
and t'other amt. 1t was lying on
the floor liz Mr.. Watkins law office |
when l stepped in to see if Joseph
Hall was employed 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.. |
Falcom's will. DIR. Falcon made a
new will every six months, he said, so |
l jest picked it up and put it in my 1
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. Mrs. Eldertop stared into the
specialized eyes of Mrs. Larkins.
Uncle Caleb ebuekled benevolently
% little Johnny skipped away with
he piece OF paper which had been
freighted with such wealth of antici-
patton.
the Larkinses took leave without
any unnecessary formula or adieu
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, land our best
room will be wanted for while.
And" she added, within herself, 81
will take good care that i. sban't be
empty again, just at present"
So Uncle Caleb Cheverel went to
dravesend, whore Cousin John was as
pOOS duN NaKh-nedFIeu ds himself. ana |
lewaS never invited to return to Lon
don again.
Five years later Uncle Caleb depart
ed this life and left behind him
go, 900 in consols-w illsd to John
Clark. TO his dear nieces," Jane
Eldertop and Rebecca Larkins, he
left e5 EACH to pay for the trouble he
put taSm to when he visited them.
70 say that there was joy in the nieees'
when the will was read
would say what is false, for, if the
old man could have guessed at all the
unkind things that would be uttered
him, ! doubt if he would
have left them even e5 each.