St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-11-27

nice balance in his checkbOok that he wa:
willing to dissipate in buying gooC
time for himself and such of his friends
as might care to join him in his pleas
ures. Emma had always been his ia
vorite niece, and now, as she had a sol
and he was Granduncle Bob, he was dis
posed to be unusually agreeable to her
OF course neither she nor her husband
had written to him since they had been
married, but he was disposed to be toler.
ant on that score, as he never wrote let,
tiers himself, and he recognized the fact
that during the first year of happy mar
ried life there is usually so much billing
and cooling to be done that the ordinary
affairs of life are in danger of being over
looked. But when be arrived on the
scene he proposed to liven things up a
! bit and make things move rapidly during
| his stay, But all dreams must come to
| an end, and Uncle Bob finally arrived at
| the house. The door was opened by a
servant, and Uncle Bob entered the par
lor, where he was being nervously await
ed. When he entered out of the strong
light into the shaded parlor he naturally
could not see very distinctly and did not
catch the expressions of the faces at
once. Being full of western breeziness,
however, he just flung his wide hat on
table, caught Emma in his arms as he
used to in other days and bestowed upon
her hearty, old fashioned kiss.
"Sh-h-h-h." said Emma, with a warn
ing forefnger appraised. "You will
waken the baby"
Uncle Bob laughed softly and extend
ed his ample palm toward Louis. To
his surprise it was not grasped. On the
contrary, Louis stiffened up as if he were
abnat to address the court on some mat
ter IF personal privilege.
why, wha-wha-what's the matterY
asked Uncle Bob in surprise.
Sir" began Louis pompously, II
should think it would only be necessary
for you to consult your memory in order
to arrive at very definite conclusion as
to the cause of your present reception"
why" exclaimed Uncle Bob, turning
toward Emma, ''he is not jealous be-
cause | kissed you is he?"
But Emma's face was now as in
scrutable as Louis, and the unwelcome
visitor found no consolation in that quar-
ter.
IF you had not been so sudden with
your caresses," said Louis haughtily,
"and had taken the trouble to see if they,
were desired it would not be necessary
for me to make such foolish observa-
tons when you find that you have over
stepped yourself"
Uncle Bob looked from one to the
other slowly and with a slightly dazed
expression.
"See here" he finally began, Il don't
get mad easily, but when l get mad l
get pretty gosh darned, all fired mad!
came on east to spend Thanksgiving day
and came to see you because l thought
you would like to have me, but if you
are getting so stuck up since l used to
know you both all l can say is that l
wish you joy, and I'll get out. But Just
the same, I'd like to know exactly what
is the matter with you people before
chase myself away. If our dignifed
friend will consider me the judge for
few moments and address to me few
words of explanation, shall take it
kindly"
ISL" said Louis, "the whole burden
of explanation rests with you"
with me, Ell? Well, all l have to
explain is that kissed your wife on the
lips when l should perhaps have con-
fined myself to her hand, but the offense
Is by no means a new one"
"Since you will persist in avoiding the |
real question" said Louis, Il will bring
it directly before you. How do you dare
to enter this house after doing so much |
to make its inmates quarrel and dis
agree?"
What on earth are you talking about? |
What is he trying to say Emma?" ask
ed the bewildered Uncle Bob.
For answer Louis rushed into the din
ing room and after opening the silver
closet returned with Uncle Bob's loving
up.
There" he exclaimed. "What have
you to say to that"
why, what should l have to say to
t? 1t seems to me that if anything
should be said about it it should be said
" you"
Didn't you send us that as a wedding
)resentW
Il did, and if you force me to talk
Ibout it | will say that it is not plated
ware either 1t is the very best silver
hat ever was mined from one of the
'est lodges in the whole country. Have
'ou been having it tested?"
"Oh, you know well enough what I
mean, though you avoid the real issuel
NOBODY questions the value or quality of
he material in your present, but how do
'ou dare to come into our house after
IaVlng put all inscription on it that is
calculated to wreck our happiness?"
Wreck your happiness? Is the man
.oing crazy? Here, let me look at that
hing"
Louis handed Uncle Bob the loving
up, and his eyes bulged as he read the
inscription.
Holy smoker he finally exclaimed.
What the everlasting blazes does this
mean? l never ordered that inscrintion
tut on there"
you didn't" they both cried in the
anne breath.
Eliza G., Mabel W., Edith S." Uncle
SOB read muSingly. ooh, nom he ex-
laimed, with a grin. II am beginning
o see now why my innocent wedding
'ift stirred up such row. Eliza and
Mabel and Edith were"-
Never mind who they WERE" cut in
louis But if you did not put on that
inscription we can only beg your pardon
or having been so angry at you and
featlng you so coolly, and for my part
|, shall only be too glad to have our old
lme friendship restored" And Louis
extended his hand cordially.