The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-16

thing. though, With Uncle John 70
comment and explain. that came to
mean a great many other things. too
A little talk, very likely, about yester-
days sermon or the next Sunday
school Iesson-very precious to eare-
less-seeming Nan, then and afterwards
And the explanation, besides. Of many
knotty problem in physics or chem
istry. with application and illustrations.
that were Uncle Johns own. and quite
unforgetable; with thoughtful mo
ments over the history and lelsurely,
ones with the literature, as well. More
than once, she had had Catherine to
stay over night with her; and often,
as the days grew long, Catherine would
come around early, with her books.
that she might have the good Of
him. too.
But Nan came IN from her friends
one afternoon to find someone closet
ed with him.
"Mr. SeaYerna," she concluded, rec
ognizing the voice as that Of one Of
Uncle Johns special friends, OF whom
there were three or four who often
came, and with whom they we're now
well acquainted Wen have him stay
70 tea and III have It early"
She was mixing the wafIies already
IN the kitchen. The slide was open be-
tween that room and the dining room,
where the old men sat. She could
hear what they said quite plainly. a.
had often happened before. Today,
however. they were not talking Of
wars or measures.
Business" said Nan, hunting for
her wafie-iron IN the kitehen-closet.
You're sure Harrison has the right
OF IT." Uncle John was saying, and
his voice sounded weak and husky.
'Sixty-hve per cent-two- thirds, be-
side the assessments. Two-thirds loss.
II it's true."-he repeated THAT
means a good deal at our age, seav-
ernst"
"A good DEAL" said his friend. sor-
rowfully. But / know there's no
mistake about It'll went over Il all.
myself. with him. can show you, If
you'd like"
Il wish you would. then. seaYerns."
said Uncle John, still huskily. And
there followed an enumeration OF GER
tain stocks, and Of the rate Of decline
In them. with discussion Of their
probable futures. which Nan had no
right to follow. She believed she un-
derstood, though, and she was not
surprised when Uncle John asked for
an early supper and told her he had to
go away by the seven train, on special
business, and that he should not be
home for few days. at least.
She made him as comfortable as she
could and watched him so with real
anxiety. And when her father came
and her mother, VINO had been out
she told them all she had overheard
Two-thirds-more than half his
property, he said to himself" Nan re-
peated. "And he so old and miserables
Why, never saw him look 50 feeblei
And he walked like an old man, fee-
BILE old man. ! wanted to 80 TO the
station myself with him, only ! knew
he wouldn't like IT, Hal might have,
if he had been at home.
And after they had eaten, though
none had much appetite, and when
Nan had gone over her lessons listlesa-
ly. and had sat while BY herself. she
went In where her parents were sit
ting.
IT'S helped some. having Uncle
John here, hasn't It. father2" she
asked. sitting down BY them.
"A good deal, yes, quite q good
deal" be answered, looking at her
keenly. Whatever was Nan driving
at now?
And we've clothes enough for q
good while, turning to her mother.
"fhen. don't you think we might have
Uncle John stay, II be didn't pay for a
while, nor ever quite 80 much again.
Six dollars is a good deal. and 7 could
be more saving It's the learning
how that's expensiye-mother says SO.
herself would try very hard. ana
! could do without things, too" said
Nan, eagerly but can't bear 70 have
Uncle John 60 away, SOL Do say he
may stay with usl"
So they promised to ask him as soon
as he should come back from his Jour
ney.
But Nan was at school when he did
come, and when she came IN, he was
at supper with the rest. She thought
him changed. someway. but not SO
feeble-seeming, nor so cast-doWn, as
she had feared. Perhaps he had saved
something. And maybe they had asked
him to stay But they two we're left
alone by and by, and he turned to her.
4 didn't tell you what my erfand
was that day" he said. and Nan shook
her head. she wished be would not
talk Of Il. now.
1T was for an old friend Of mine.
he went On softly. "He has lost al
most ali his property. He IS on. too
and II much need OF friendlineas.
wanted to DO something for him, II .
could. and to get some others 20. And
- ~ anita.