Smyrna times., 1900-11-21
OUR UNCLE, THE GENERAL !
He Was Very Terrible In War, but
Easily Disarmed by Woman.

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Whenever the widow, Magdalen
MOnostary, sent her son, who was
studying law in the residence, his |
monthly stipend, she always accompa' |
MED it by Il closely written eight page
letter. What wonder then that when |
the occasion really called for it and the
case was important she should have
sent her elder brother cOmmunica-
ton which might easily be mistaken
for volume, nearly every tenth line of
which appealed to him to save the fam
lily honor and that Immediately and
without a moments delay.
"My strength is exhausted and my
son is obdurate." pleaded she, land /
do not dare say word, as he imme-
diately throws out hints and makes
threats which makes my blood run
cold and my heart to stand still l am
anticipating some terrible calamity. In
my opinion the best thing to do would
be to talk to the girl herself, only l
could not do it. as | am nothing but
mere woman. With you it is different.
You, being man, could do it so much
better than l. The honor of our family
is at stake. and my whole trust and
confidence are anchored on you"
Thus appealed to and the case being
so urgent. the general lost not mo-
ment's time. Having consulted time
table and sent a telegram to his sister
saying, II am coming" he left on the
spot. 81 shall hit this idyl right
through the center" muttered he.
twisting the ends of his mustache into
such fierce ends as if he intended to
spear the idyl on their points. The
widow, Magdalen MOnostary, could not
do otherwise than meet him at the de,
pot and, falling on his neck. sob her
soul out on his manly bosom. On the
way home she did nothing but lament
"Only a tailors daughter! Only a tai
ior's daughter The general made a
deprecatOry gesture. "All right, my
dear, all right. Console yourself. !
am going to see things"
As the carriage rolled along the sin.
gle street of the little province town
the news that the general had arrived
spread like wildfire, and at the market
square a small boy yelled: won't tai.
lors get it, though! The general has
arrived" But the prodigal son, he who
jeopardized the family honor, was no.
where to be found. as he had left the
house early in the morning.
Never mind" said the general, 81
have come to see to things with regard
to the girl. do not need him."
"Shall l accompany you. Belshaz
carp
mo, indeed. Women invariably spOi
everything. l will manage withou
you" and straight as a ramrod h'
started on his errand to the loud clank
ing of his sword, which struck the side
walk at every step. until he reached
the hut in which the tailor patche'
and steamed the pants of the pOOre
citizens of the town. He was fOllowe,
at a respectful distance by a small reg
iment of barefooted children. who stal
ed in awestruck admiration at his be-
ligerent mustache and gold embroidel
ed collar and who whispered anon
themselves. "He is going to the tailor;
and he will murder Este with that So
ber!'
The general finally noticed the crow
of little ragamuffins. and their sigt
made him furious. He could not yer
well disperse them, for a general coul
not so far forget his dignity as to n,
tice the children Of the rabble, but O
reaching his destination he gave I'll
door such a tremendous pull that IL
tailor, who for the last five minute
had been trying to look dignifed. nea
ly fell off the table.
The general remained standing {
the threshold. He looked the tailor 1
and down and then down and up ar
finally thundered in his most milital
accents, "Are you the bossT If Il
tailor had dared to answer truthful
he would have answered, mot exaC
iy." AS 1t was, however, he answer,
with humility, II am, but l hope "
will kindly excuse it."
The general looked the frail liti
man over once more and thought wit
in himself: what an acquisition
ones family! Something truly to
proud OFF,
Here the Mrs, who, to do her justit
had much more presence Of mind tn
her husband end was much the cool
or the two, offered q chair to the &C
eral. saying. Wont you accept 81
tion of our modest little home?
But the general frowned her doN
and remained standing. THANK yol
said he stifHy, 81 have no intention