Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-08-09
UNCLE THOMAS.

LIZ WHOiH are you writing now 1
declare, l never came to see you that
l don't find you with that everlast-
ing ink-stand open and 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
May Gleason an enthusiastic hug.
"Who is it? Tell me quick!''
"Oh, you crazy. 1t isn't always the
same one. This morning it's Tom"
''Tom? Tom who?"
"Tom? oh, just Tom. Uncle Tom.
If you must have all the particulars.
''Well, then. May Gleason, l should
think you would say Uncle Tom.
think it does sound so rude and dis
courteous when children fail to give
their relatives their proper title.
There's Joe Kenney always calls his
mother Helen, and his father Joe.
I'd lecture you well if you were my
niece"
ooh. Tom doesn't care"
"How do you know he doesn't care?
His feelings might be very much hurt.
and he would not say word. just
suffer in silence. Old people are very
sensitive"
May giggled, though Ruth couldn't
see thing to laugh at.
Il think just as you do about it,
and I'm going to reform. Now what
shall we do? You haven't seen my
new idea for sachets. have you?
Wait, till 1 wipe my pen and cover
the ink, for it's sure to tip itself over
If the cover isn't screwed on tight"
One morning later in the season,
Ruth Boyden received a note from her
friend, which read something like
this:
Dear Ruth-Can you come up to
tea tonight? l have Just had letter
frOu Tom. l mean Uncle Tom. and
he is coming here for a few days be-
fore starting on trip west. l should
like to have you meet him. for he
Is my dearest relative. Wear your
maroon trimmed with sable, you do
look so superb in that Come early
by 5 o'clock, Sc we can talk. Tom,
mean Uncle Tom, doesn't get Eere
till the 6 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 feel
satisfied with Mays nearest friend.
II must try to be dignified and quiet.
ax,o
girls. OF course May has told him all
about me. do hope she hasn't over
rated me. She thinks the world of
Uncle Tom, and some way l should
like him to be pleased with me.
am going to carry my lace hai,,lier-
chief that Mrs. Baker gave me- 1t will
make talk, for she was returned
missionary and am sure there is no.
thing better than that work. Almost
all old people are interested in that"
"Oh, Ruth, you darling was Mays
eager greeting. II 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 catch in her voice.
II mean Uncle Tom. is such a judge of
beauty. But don't be alarmed, he
will like you, l know-and your lace
handkerchief, tool am honored"
Il 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 cough. but she
hastehed away with Ruth's wraps:
while she was going 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
subject, and Ruth finally decided to
trust to luck to show her what to say
and do.
A little past 6 there was conmo-
tion outside. and from the station cab
Uncle Tom descended. He was well
coined at the door by Mays mother,
\ and May excused herself to greet