The Worthington advance., 1900-06-22

UOOU morning, Uncle, nc crIcu,
breathlessly.
"Good morning, Joe," returned Mr..
Peterson, nodding to Mr.. Joseph
Franklin, his only nephew. ''What
brings you here in such hurry?"
''Is your house let yet, uncle?"
"Yes-no-I don't exactly know"
responded Mr.. Peterson, little awk-
wardly. "What does it matter to you
whether it is or not, hey, you young
scapegrace?
'Much, sir. To tell you the truth.
was thinking of renting it myself"
"You!"
Eyes. I. I'm going to be married
next week, uncle"
"A very sensible plan," said Mr.. Pc
terson, beamingly.
"l'm glad you approve of it, sir, and,
in case my wife and conclude to take
a few boarders, can have your prom
Use to consider you as one?"
''That is, in case you take the
'house?"
| "Yes.''
IL can't promise: in fact, think I've
already engaged myself" said Mr.. Pc
terson, Importantly. ITO speak frank
ly, Joe, I've some idea of marrying my
self.'
"You, uncle?" exclaimed Franklin.
in amazement.
"And why not?" testify demanded
Mr.. Petro Peterson, his bald head
turning pink with excitement. I'm
not Methuselah. Why shouldn't I get
married?"
"There's no reason on earth why you
shouldn't, uncle,' responded Joe,
smothering a laugh; "only, you see,
you took me rather by surprise. In
that case why shouldn't we have the
pleasure of accommodating both Mrs.
Peterson and yourself?"
"Because. sir" said Mr.. Peterson, SEN
tentiously, "because my mother-in-law
that is to be takes boarders, sir, a few
boarders in a genteel sort of way, and
I've all but promised myself to her."
"'All but There is chance, then,
Of"
"A very slender one," unwillingly ad-
mitted Mr.. Peterson.
"And if you should make no other ar
rangement you will let us have the
house?'
"Y-yes, I suppose So"
'"There can be no harm in my bring.
ing her to look at the house this after.
noon after Office hours?"
"No. suppose not"
He was making little pencil estimate
about the probable cost of refurnish.
ing the apartments he occupied with
velvet and satin, according to JEANNE s
not particularly economical ideas, that
same afternoon. when Joseph Franklin
entered, flushed and proud.
''She's down in the parlor, uncle"
''In a minute. Twelve and sixteen
and-there, then, Joe, how can a man
add up his accounts with you stamp
ing round the room like a wild buffalo?
Yes, yes, I'll go down and see her, and
then perhaps l shall have little peace
of my life."
He followed his nephew resignedly
down to the parlor, thinking the while
of far other things, and suffered him.
self to be led to little sofa in the bay
window, where a slender young lady
was sitting, toying rather nervously
with pink parasol.
''Uncle," said Joe, proudly, "this is
my promised wife, Jeannie, this is
Uncle Petro Peterson.'
"Jeannie Cope!" gasped the aston.
ished bachelor.
"You'll give me kiss, uncle, won't
you?" said JEANNE, putting up her
coral lips in the most bewitching way
in the world. II said it was mamma
this morning; but it was really Joe
and I that wanted the house,
ut was. eh?" said Mr.. Peterson
with a curious commingling of sensa.
tions.
eyes. and you know you promised to
get married and board with us. He did
indeed. Joe.'
II was only joking. Married. indeed!
I'm not such a fool yet. II stay here,
but I'll not refurnish the rooms this
year."
So the bill was taken off the front
door; and Mrs. Joseph Franklin has
learned to make an omelet that suits
the fastidious taste of her uncle in.
law.
"And it's just as we'll that fate saved
me from making fool of myself" says
Mr.. Peterson. exultantly.-N. Y. News