The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-05-24

do better.
An uncle OF his lived on o large
farm only few miles from the acad-
emy, and Phil had the delightful priv
ilegs of spending his Saturdays and
Sundays with them.
No other child was there, and Phil
was made much of in a way which sx-
actly suited his taste and his views Of
his own merits.
Hes the brightest boy ever saw"
said Aunt Maria Jane to her husband.
Look at those calves and sheep he's
drawn! And old Carlo sleeping on the
porch-I declare he looks just ready
to get up and bark"
Yes; but it takes me more the way
he reads and writes" SAID Uncle Reu-
ben.
"Yes. just look at these recipes he
copied for mel"
Hes bound to make a smart man
"a smart man." said Uncle Reuben,
cnergetically. ITS pleasant to have
a lively litue chap like him coming
about the place"
Il was thinking" said Aunt Maria
Jane, that it would be good idea
to let him invite some of his school
mates down to spend the day. These
October days are so pleasant"
"That's well thought of." said Uncle
Reuben warmly. Its grand place
for lot of boys to have frolic.
Here, PHIL"
Phil had been ailing for a few days
| and had come over to the farm on
Wednesday. to remain until the fol-
lowing Monday. He was, however,
rapidly improving and now came in
with piece of paper, on which he
displayed a drawing OF Susan. the
maid. at her churnin". while an i'm
mensc spider appeared swinging by
its web close behind her unconscious
| face.
THE spiders fancy piece. not a
portrait" explained Phil.
The two good souls laughed as
heartily as he had expected them to.
"See here, my boy said Uncle
Reuben, your uncle's old hands are
| getting stiff with work and age. Sit
| down and write note for me to Abel
| Hughes. Tell him we want our wood
| hauled now, SOS to be well seasoned
before winter sets in. How many
cords will we need. MOTHER"
about % to get us we'll through,
think"
"Yes, 22. And then ! guess you're
well enough TO ride the pony down to
where Abel's got his men chopping-
it's three miles-and carry the note.
Write it off lively, then. for must be
outdoors. Where's my glasses?" said
the farmer, looking around as Phil
submitted his note. Never mind,
though; read it to me. Yes, that's all
right, and looks like a scholars work.
| can see that without my glasses.
Now. Phil, your aunt and mes been
thinking it would be pleasant for you
to ask some of your boy friends over
to spend Saturday here with you,
hey?"
"Oh, Aunt Maria Jane, what jolly
ideal" exclaimed Phil, in great de.
light. You're both so good!"
well, write to DR.. Trueman, and
ask him with mothers compliments
to let 'em come. A good lot Of 'em
A dozen or more say?"
"Ies, more than that. Let's give
them a grand picnic" said Aunt Maria
Jane, with a beaming face. Twenty
or thirty. l like boys. There's room
enough and plenty to eat, I'm sure"
I'll say 25, then, shall II"
And Phil wrote and sent his letter
then took his ride to the woodchopper
whats this? funeral?" said Aun,
Maria Jane, looking in amazement from
the window. "Must be funeral from
the station, but ] hadn't heard Of any
body dead and being brought home
Looks like all boys, but | suppose the
carriages are coming after"
Phil looked out. 1t was long traiI
of boys coming around the curve o.
the pretty country road.
"Why. it's our school boys" he eX
claimed 81 wonder what's up?"
They were filing in at the gate az h
went out. and greeted him with shout.
of merrimcnt.
On they came, boys and boys an'
boys. The front yard was FULL and run
, ming over into the meadow, and still
they came, those behind pressing th
p forward ones on too rapidly for any t.
take heed OF Pills amazement.
| Can it be Pills boys?" asked Aur
Maria Jane of her husband, as he joinct
: her at the window.
! "Perhaps so. Some mistake, maybe.
/ "Hut what a mistake."
j Uncle Reuben went TO the front dool
and was politely met by one Of tn
older boys.
. "Dr. Trucman's compliments to Mr.
;, Chcrristone and yourself, sir, an
thanks for your Kindness in invitin
us"
n "Ycs-ves-" said Uncle RcubcI
y striving with all his might not to sho'
his astonishment. I'm very glad to st
{ YOU all-very glad indeed. Make you