Middletown transcript., 1901-05-18

or YOU give up all hope Of assistance from
me in the present, or OF inherlung my
money in the future. +"
"Uncle," said /, ito your plain propo-
sition I will give plain answer. have
too much regard for the truth to say |
care nothing for your money; but when
YOU ask ME to choose between your gold
and that adorable girl-who is not unedu-
Gated, though she is the daughter OF a
poor mani say, that for your money
bags!"
And snapped my fingers with as filp-
pant an air as / could assume.
Besides" added, with laugh, ''you
talk as if you were millionaire with one
foot in the grave, instead OF moderately
wealthy man almost in the prime OF life. "
This was diplomatic attempt at con-
ciliation on my part, for it was the one
weakness on my otherwise sensible old
uncle that he clung to his long-departed
youth with all the tenacity OF a disap-
pointed old maid To appear to notice
his growing infrmities, or even to treat
him with the marked consideration and
Difference usually shown to the aged and
infirm, was to give my uncle the dlrest
offense; while, on the other hand, to ad-
dress him with the flippant offhand man
ner of one young man to another, and to
converse with him on golf and football
as though he were still an active partici-
pant in those sports, was the Hurest and
straightest way to his heart However,
he was too thoroughly determined on
this occasion to be turned from his pur-
pose my mere fiattery, though ! could
see be was pleased all the same.
"Well," be said, 'I have been think
ing Of looking up my Cousin Josiah for
some time. I have not seen him for
over thirty years; but it is petty minded
to keep up disagreement 50 long"
So my interview ended.
1t was shortly after this conversation
with my uncle that | received an invita-
ton to visit my relative Josiah Sheldrake.
| marvelled great deal at this attention
on his part, for had never met my
cousin before. He was pastor OF an out
of-the-way country town in the Midlands
but as was anxious to know what man
ner of man it was who threatened to
supplant me elected to 60.
I found Josiah a smooth-mannered
elderly man, some ten years my uncle's
Junior. I received a very cordial vel
come, but / soon began to perceive the
object of their sudden desire for my
acquaintance.
NV uncle had written his cousin, ex
pressing his intention of visiting him
with a view to renewing friendly relations
and had given him plain intimation o
how matters stood with regard to myself
And now they had sent for me, as hi:
most intimate relative, in order that they
might worm out Of me all his little weak
nesses and idiosyncrasies, and thus bt
prepared to worm themselves into hi
favor when the proposed visit should
come off. was simply boiling over witt
Indignation at this duplicity. Here wa
I, an orphan and penniless student 0
the law, brought up in the certainty Q
inheriting my uncle's~ great wealth, de
pendent upon him almost as upon |
father; and here was my sleek, comfort
able cousin, with ample means to suppor
himself and his family, trying to secur
my assistance in my own undoing.
showed no trace Of annoyance, however
my dear boy" said Josiah, laying hi
heavy hand with ponderous friendlines
upon my shoulder-''my dear Cousil
Fred, cannot express my appreciation
Of your noble conduct. In refusing t
allow your worldly prospects to hinde
you from following the dictates of you
own heart. Stick to her, my boy-stic
to her, come what may"
} "Thank you," I said, "for your kin
encouragement. / wish my uncle coul
hear your views on the matter"
He started slightly, and looked -ur
comfortable.
'tOf course, you know" continued
'the old man isn't bad short, on tn
whole, when you understand him; bu
you have to stroke him the right way"
Josiah pricked up his large, red ear
the ladies laid down their work, and
could see that the whole family was o
the alert to know which was the righ
way
"Well," / said, Il don't think he
exactly eccentric. I suppose it is onl
natural for man of his years to begin t
think good deal about himself and hi
little ailments. Naturally, being bache
lor, Uncle George misses the tender after
tions usually bestowed on the aged
For instance" continued, warming
the subject, ''is it to be expected that a
infirm old man, with only one tooth an
weak digestion, could eat anythin
tougher than chicken-broth and mill
: pudding?"
"Most certainly notP' said Josiah.
'iHe suffers dreadfully from rheums
tism," went on; "and often think b
should be better looked after in the wa
of avoiding damp and cold-warming b
bed and SO on. He is very deaf, to-
OF course, all these little ailments max
him trife grumpy in his manner; but
think he is grateful for any little kint
ness and assistance, though he does nc
always show it on the surface"
On the day had fixed for my depar
ure, telegram was received from Uncl
George to the effect that he would arriv
by the next train. All was immediatel
hustle and confusion, for he had not bee
expected till the following week; but fc
my part was rather glad he had change
his plans, as had curious longing
witness his reception. There was n
time to meet him at the station, as tn
train was almost due; but Selma an
Il Il