Middletown transcript., 1901-05-18
Uncle George Changed His Mind.

the arm, one each side, as though to
prevent him from falling, while they
shouted in his ears:
1--WE are glad to see you, dear Uncle
Georgel We are Selma and Matildar
My uncle beamed, and drew their arms
more tightly through his, for he was a
terrible man for the ladies. He was very
carefully gotten up, with flower in his
coat, and his thin white moustache
waxed and curled. An ELUSIVE welcome
awaited him from his host and hostess.
They almost carried him into the dining
room, where surprised stare was all the
greeting | received. All the time Selma
and Matilda kept careful hold of his
arms.
"My dears," said the mother, 'fwhy do
yeu not hold your uncle tighter, SO as to
give him more support?'
Support, madam?' said my uncle,
extricating himself from their grasp, and
fixing her with suddenly ferocious
stare. "And why? We're you under the
impression that had sprained my ankle,
or what?"
And the good woman was SO confused
that she dropped her eyes, and stam-
mered, 'Er-yesp'
No, madam he said, somewhat re-
lieved; "the report is without foundation.
] am happy to say that l am in the best
of health"
Il am indeed thankful to hear that,
cousin" put in Josiah. "When man
has passed the allotted threescore years
and ten, every day of health must surely
be regarded as great blessingP"
My uncle made no reply, but regarded
him with indignation, thenceforth totally
ignored him.
Things went on pretty we'll till dinner.
Finding it itimpossible to engage his cousin
in conversation, Josiah, talked chiefly to
me, and the old man was left to enjoy the
society of the ladies. He seemed little
annoyed at their persistence in shouting
to him at the top of their voices, for be
was not really very deaf-indeed, he
always claimed to have very good hear
ing. He was none too pleased, either,
when they insisted on his occupying the
most comfortable chair in the room, and
drawing it close up to the fire, so that he
might warm his poor old feet upon the
fender.
| noticed these things seemed to irritate
him a good deal, though, I fancy, he
attributed a good deal of their solicitude
to the natural motherly tenderness innate
in all women.
Dinner that day was an interesting
meal. The damp weather we had been
having had brought out my uncle's rheu-
matism, especially in his knees, and he
WINGED perceptibly as he took the seat
allotted to him at the table.
ePoor, dear old manp' murmured my
relatives wife in an audible undertone to
her daughters. t'How sad it is to see
him suffer SOP
My uncle glanced wrathfully across the
table at her, but made no remark.
could see that the old mans inward
resentment was bubbling up dangerously
near the surface.
"Now, dear Cousin George" she said
when the second course came on, 'here
is little dish which have prepared ex
pressly for you with my own hands. Il
is minced clicked, and, though it il
very nourishing and sustaining, you will
find it requires scarcely any chewing, an(
is so easy Of digestion it would not harm
an infant"
As she spoke my uncle seemed to swell
till thought he would burst with wrath
tIt is very kind of you," he said, in ;
voice which was calm with the calmnes
Of slumbering volcano; 'but, if it is al
the same to you, will take slice o
beef"
Josiah, who was carving the sirloin
looked dubious. He was not SUR
whether he ought to allow the old man tt
indulge in such wilful folly. However
he helped him to very small portion
and the meal proceeded in silence.
believe was the only person present wh'
was quite comfortable and happy, and
Is SIRE as The eEalgsE ene %he he'd n.
appetite When the dessert came on,
could see Mrs. Sheldrake had anothe
little announcement to make; and coult
not help pitying the poor woman, sh'
looked so thoroughly scared and nervous
"I-er-of course know, dear cousin,
she said tremblingly, "that you could no
take pastry of any kind, SO I-er-mad'
you nice little tapioea pudding. I an
sure you need not fear to try it, as it il
perfectly easy to chew, and very di
gest-"
"* p said my uncle.
Everyone started. The ladies screamed
Cousin" said Josiah, in voice tina
had more Of sorrow in it than of anger
IT am, Of course, aware that the infrm
tiles Of age are sore trial to you, ant
doubtless cause irritability and difficulty
of self-restraint; but my daughters hav'
been most carefully brought up, and
trust you will excuse me when I beg yot
to endeavor to refrain from such languag,
before them.'
"Infrmities of age?' snarled my uncle
"Why, man, what pity you didn't sen(
q wheel-chair to the station to meet me
and keep nurse in the house to attent
I ~ ma oy,5 n doo4orI,,