Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-09-08
UNCLE CALEB'S WILL.

SELF out to give your mothers brother
a nights lodging!" said Caleb Cheverel,
bitterly.
The March wind, bearing dust and
grit and bits of flying paper on Its
restless wings, came whistling around
the corner. lifting the old mans faded
comfOrter's ends and turning his blue
nose shade bluer still, while Mrs.
Larkins, his eldest niece, stood in her
doorway, filling up the aperture with
her ample person in such a way as to
suggest the familiar legend, mo ad-
mittance!"
Mrs. Larkins was stout and bloom
ing and cherry checked. dressed In sub
stantial alpaca. with gay gold brooch
and eardrops, which bespoke anything
but abject poverty.
Uncle Caleb was thin and meager
and stability dressed, with glossy
seams in his overcoat and flnger-ends
protruding from his worn gloves like
ancient rosebuds coming out of their
calyx.
"I'm very sorry" said Mrs. Larkins,
stifiiy; but we have but one spare
room, and that is at present occupied.
or course | should be glad to do all
could for you, but"
Il understand, | understand" said
Uncle Cheverel, turning coldly away.
"Ill go to my niece Jenny. wish you
very good evening"
Mrs. Larkins closed the door with a
sigh Of very evident relief.
81 dare say Jenny will take care of
him." she said philosophically. Jenny
has smaller family than | have. But
| don't see why he came up to London
instead OF staying peaceably down In
Tortoise Hollow, where he belongs"
Mrs. Jennie lIldertop, Mr.. Cheverels
youngest niece, had smaller family
than her sister Rebecca, but then she
had a smaller income as well. She had
just finished vigorous days cleaning
when Uncle Caleb was announced.
"Oh, drat the mani" said Mrs. Elder
top, wringing her parboiled fingers out
OF basin of steaming soapsuds. What
sends him here, Just now of all times
In the wOrld?"
And she went down stairs ungra-
ciously enough to the street door.
where her husband was welcoming the
old stranger.
Come In, Uncle Cheverel! come
in" said honest VIII Eldertop. We're
all upside down here-we mostly are,
uOH lHdL lllO ClcdHluB IN ROluk
on. But there's room for you II you
don't mind the children and their noise
and a little smell OF whltewash In the
spare room.
Mrs Eldertops welcome was by no
means SO cordial. She looked, to use
a common expression, vinegar and
darning needles" at the visitor, while
in her inmost soul she calculated the
.R Al hn,
turnips holding out for once more at
supper.
Come, Jenny, don't scowl So" said
Mr.. Eldertop, when Uncle Caleb had
gone upstairs to wash his hands and
face. Amt he your uncle?"
"A good for nothing old vagabond,"
said Mrs. EldeTtop, acidly, without a
half-penny laid up ahead"
For all that he's your guest" said
her husband. land you're bound to be
civil to him. And here's his overcoat
now with "A ZlgZag rent in 1t. Just
mend It while you are waiting for the
kettle to boil"
81 WON'T" said Mrs. Eldertop.
"All right" retorted her lord and
master. Then ri take 1t next door 70
Alexia Allen to mend"
NOm mibb Fhiiph, buN luliOltbb, WIN
lived In the adjoining house. was pretty
and buKom to look upon, and Mrs. FL
dertop had nurBed comfortably a jeal-
ousy of her for the last four years.
You'll do no such thing" said Jenny.
tartly. Hand 1t here"
And she threaded Il needle with q
black silk and thrust her finger into a
thimble, very much as determined
crusader OF old might have donned
sword and shield for some encounter
with the Moslem.
whats that" said Mr.. Eldertop;
for u folded paper fell from the pocket
Of the garment as his wife turned 1t up
side down.
Some tomfoolery or the other" an
swered Mrs. Jenny, brusquely.
81 fancy you're mistaken" said Mr..
EldertOp. IT'S the rough draft or %
will"
But he has got nothing to leave"
shrleked Mrs. EldeTtOp.
I'm not 30 certain OF that" retorted
VIII. Just look here, Jenny! I give
and bequeath to my two beloved nieces,
In equally divided parts, the sum OF
& 10000, at present Invested In eonsols,
and"
wv Olls Hhih WI n
lessly. Read the rest"
There Is no rest" said her husband
That's the end OF tho paper. It's only
rough draft, tell you. And now,
what's your opinion OF Uncle Cheverel's
fortunes?"
Hes been a miser all along" said
Mrs. EldertOp, her face growing Tadl-
ant. Making up poor mouths and
trnValinN nrnnpA fha with all
this money In the funds A regular old
character-just like those one reads
about In novels. Put II back. Will
put It back. We've no business to be
prying Into Uncle Calebs secrets; but
what blessing II is he came here in
stead Of stopping at Hebecca LaTkinB."
And when Uncle CheVerel came down
stairs he was surprised at the sweet
smiles with which his niece Jenny well
coined him.
Been mendlng my coat, eh?" said
Uncle Cbeverel. "Thank'ee kindly,
Jenny. | caught 1t on nail yesterday,
and was calculating to sew II up my
self, when / could borrer Il needle and
thread"
"Pm glad to be Of use, Uncle Caleb"
beamed Mrs. Eldertop. Johnny, put
on your cap and run 10 the grocer's for
a smoked mackerel for your uncle's
breakfast hope you found your room
comfortable, Uncle Caleb?
Before she slept that night Mrs. Ell
dertoD put on her bonnet and shawl and
ran round to the Larkins' mansion TO
lmDart her wonderful tidings to Sister
Rebecca.
you don't say So" cried out the as
tonlshed matron.
Gospel TRUTH" said Mrs. Eldertop.
Il saw 1t with my own eyes"
He must come here" said Mrs. Lar
kins resolutely.
Not II | know II" said Mrs. Elder
top He's my guest and my guest he
shall remaip."