The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-17
Uncle Tho mas Visit.

ITO whom are yeu writing now? /
| declare, 1 never come to see you that
don't find you with that everlasting
| ink-stand open ard the pen Just ready TO
Dip" and Ruth Boyden tossed her gloves
! on the stand, her hat on the bed, and
her jacket in the big chair. Then she
proceeded to give May Gleason an enthu-
siastic hug. .Who is It? Tell me
| quick!"
ooh, you crazy. 1t isn't always the
| same one. This morning it's Tom"
Tom? Tom who?"
"Tom? Oh, just Tom. Uncls Tom, II
you must have all the particulars"
We'll, then, May Gleason, l should
think you would say Uncle Tom
think it does sound so rude and discour-
teous when children fail to give their
relatives their proper title. There's Joe
Kenney always calls his mother Helen,
and his father joe 10 lecture you well
If you were my niece"
''Oh, Tom doesn't care"
, How do you know he doesn't care?
His feelings might be very much hurt,
and he would not say a word, just SUI
fer in silence. Old people are very SEN
sitive."
May giggled, though Ruth couldn't see
a thing to laugh at.
II think just as you do about II, ana
I'm going TO reform. Now, what snaii
We do? You haven't seen my new idea
for sachets, have you? Wait till l wipe
my pen and cover the ink, for it's sure
to tip itself over IL the cover isn't
screwed on tight"
One morning later in the season, Ruth
Boyden received note from her friend,
which read something ike this:
Dear Ruth: Can you come up TO
tea tonight? I have just had letter
from Tom, I mean Uncle Tom, and ne
is coming here for a few days before
starting on a trip West. l should ike
TO have Won meet him. Tor he Is my
dearest relative. Wear your maroon
trimmed with sable, you do look so SUI
perb in that. Come early, by o'clock,
so we can talk. Tom, 1 mean Uncle
Tom, doesn't get here till thes six train
Your most devoted MAY.
Ruth dressed herself IN the maroon
dress, and as she studied the reflection
in the mirror she hoped he would fee
satisfied with Mays nearest friend. l
must try to be dignified and quiet O-a
people don't ever like fiy-away girls. or
course May has told him all about me.
l do hope she hasn't overrated me. She
thinks the world Of Uncle Tom, and
some way 1 should like him to be
pleased with me. I am going to carry
my lace handkerchief that Mrs. Baker
gave me- 1t will hake talk, for she was
a returned missionary and l am sure
there is nothing better than that work.
Almost all old people are interested in
that
''Oh, Ruth, you darling" was Mays
eager greeting. Il am so glad you wore
that l do think the white yoke and the
fur bands round the neck and wrists do
soften the tints SO. Tom,." there was
a catch in her voice, i mean Uncle
Tom, is such a judge Of beauty. But
don't be alarmed, he will like you, L
know-and your lace handkerchief, too
I am honored."
81 really put it on to have something
to talk about, you know. Does your
uncle enjoy missionary work."
May half snickered and then covered
it with a cough, but she FASTENED away
with Ruth's wraps; while she was gone
she laughed heartily. Her face, when
she re-entered the room, was gravity
itself
Ruth tried to find out some of Uncle
Toms tastes but May avoided the sub
ject, and Ruth finally decided to trust
TO luck to show her what to say and
do
A little past six there was a commot on
outside, and from the station cab Uncle
Tom descended He was welcomed at
the door by Mays mother, and May ex-
cused herself to greet him, saying: "Oh,
Ruth, he is the handsomest, dearest
man"
I'm glad to see you, Tom. and 1 have
a friend here to meet you"
The friend?" was the laughing ques-
ton .}t sT,
you'll say so. too!'
Tea was called in a few minutes. and
so Ruth did not meet Uncle Tom till
they entered the dining-room Then be-
fore she had become accustomed to the
lights or could think what she would say
Mays voice said, in sort of trembling
culver: Ruth. this is my uncle, Mr..
Gordon, Uncle Tom. you know
Ruth looked. A young man not over
% stood before her with right hand ex-
tended. He had the brightest Of laughing
blue eyes and his hair of brown was so
curly that May was always threatening
to bux him side combs to keep it in
place. He was. to say thaAeast. some
what astonished at the demeanor Of
Mays friend, for she suddenly collapsed
into a chair. and laughed. and laughed
and laughed, until tears ran down her
face, and May was fearful of an attack
of Mysteries. Tom turned TO May, lis
anything the matter with me? Is my
necktie straight" he asked anxiously.
What is the matter, Ruth?" and Mrs.
Gleason brought the camph0r, while Mr..
Gleason stood wondering what allied the
girl, but then there was no accounting
for girls, they are always surprising
Ruth suddenly recovered herself at
icF,S Of no bNF IN ha~ fact
and said. II do hope you will forgive
neal OF you-b1t lit was Sc funny
I had no time TO recall my senses-Oh.
May. you did It a purpose. You-see,
expected to see an old man of 6 at least
who would be interested IN missionary
work-ha, Ia, ha, isn't it too funny?
can't get over it,
Il might wear a white wig If you'd
Ike to have me locke older" said Tom,
shortly.
Now, Tom, 1 mean Uncle Tom" be-
gan Man.
Come. now, drop that"
We'll she said It was irreverent 70
call you just Tom. and IT would hurt
your feelings. and I promised TO reform.
and I'm going to- but she was laughing
as she said Il.
II don't believe can ever forgive you.
May" said Ruth.
"Oh, yes, you viii. It's April fool, you
know and didn't I fool you most com
pletely7"
A tollter party never sat at the GIea-
son table than the one that nfzht. for
every now and then May would say.
Tom, mean Uncle Tom" OF Ruth
would suddenly have : laughing at in
her handkerchief
81 dor'f orlFts understand = raf