Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-10-29
~ DWARD LESLIE kissed his
~ wife fondly when she ran to
4 vi tho door to welcome him home

anu rPSlGu Ills ueuu ulpoii hio hoho'
was tired after long days work, witt
nothing but q couple of buns to stay
the inner manfred and worried. The!
had been married now nearly twelve
months and they found housekeeping
more expensive than they had antici
pated, and the better times they hat
hoped for seemed as far of rs ever. L
was nearly the end of the month. too
and the rent would soon be due. The
coal. also, had yet to be paid for, ant
then there was the interest on some
"tickets" which must be paid, or hi:
little wife would lose the little jewelry
she treasured so, but which she gave
up so willingly to help the man she
loved in the hard struggle to get theil
little home together.
Dinner is nearly ready, dearest
she said as she stroked his hair back
from his forehead. "And you are hun
CRY and tired, dear, and worried"
Presently the postman's sharp raj
caused him to spring UP and run to the
door. He came back more slowly.
"It's from Uncle Mac" he said.
"Well, I am surprised. He arrived IN
England yesterday morning. and-oh
good heavens! we must put him off
We can't do it."
Mrs. Leslie took the letter.
"AIy Dear Godson Ted-I have come
back to England after fifteen years IN
Australia. AS things are not too well
with me, propose to come and stay o
few months with you. I suppose since
you are married fortune Is smiling
upon you, and they say three can be
kept as cheaply as one. Expect me to.
night about 0. All news then. Your
affectionate uncle, MAC"
"Why, I always thought your Uncle
Mac was doing so well, Ted" she said,
slowly, as she finished.
$50 did l." said her husband. But,
then, everyone abroad is always doing
we'll. 1 must write at once and put
him Off"
"No, Ted, DEAR" his little wife said
bravely. Because you are married
don't want him to think we are quite
so poor. We will manage somehow"
But she sighed little as she thought
how quickly, even now. the weekly pay
dwindled to shilling or two before
Friday night
Barely an hour later Uncle Mac an
nounced his arrival with performance
on the little brass knoc!ler which start
led several Of Mr.. Leslle's quiet neigh.
bors
"Glad to see you, me boy. Glad tc
see you. Nice little place you got, but
awkward to find. Took the wroi.,s train
at Broad street, so had to come up on
the tram. And I say, Ted, my boy
why Oh earth don't they put the pave
ment all the way along the street
Half way down 1 got mixed up In O
mountain of mortar, quite lost my
temper, and nearly my umbrella. As
I said to a man who came down will
me, That's an Internally ugly looking
thing Your wife, eh, Ted?" broke
off Uncle Mac, as he caught sight Of
Nellie in the hall. "Glad to make your
acquaintance, Mrs. Ted" he said, walk
ing into Nellie's dainty little drawing
room-the pride of her life-brlngine
with him sufficient of the much -sizeG
mortar on his boots to build small
sized villa. "Come over to the llgh1
and let me look at you"
"Nice face. but tired" he said, quite
audibly. although intended only fol
himself. Smart girl, but no strength
or backbone. Novel and the sofa ant
pretty fal-dallals. Wonder why III
married herT
Because he loved me and I LOVED
him." said Nellie. proudly.
81 beg your pardon" said Uncle Mac
hurriedly. :Silly habit, speaking your
thoughts aloud. Learnt 1t in the lone
ly bush. No offense. Hope you're
happy and your love will last, but the,
do say when poverty comes in at thu
what's-its-name love SHOOTS out Of tht
thingummy."
That's wrong. my dear, isn't it?'
said Edward, slipping his arm rount
her waist. Poverty only make ou
love the brighter. But come, Uncl,
Mac, my little girl has some real oil
Irish ste.7 for supper, and I'm SUR
you're hungry"
You're right, Ted, my boy" crict
Uncle Mac. "I'm absolutely raven
ous."
You won't mind the kitchen, will
you, Mr.. -er-?" Nellie began.
"Mac, my dear, plain Mac; that is
Of course. Uncle Mac, to YOU" he re
piled. Personally prefer th
Kitchen"
During supper he kept them al
merry with stories of his life in Aus
tralia, but Nellie's eyes noted with ap
prehension that bis appetite was likel,
to be serious strain ON her limite,
larder.
Good tack, this" he said presently
with appreciation. "Knoclks billy ant
damper hollow. But you're not eatln,
muchw
"Oh, I've plenty, thank you," sh
stammered, but Uncle Mac silentl,
noted that the meat had been servet
to Ted and himself, while. her plat
made brave show With "ttle else thar
potato.
Nearly week pass, nd one da,
Nellie was just wondering whether sh
would have an egg OF her lunch now
or wait till 5, when ring came to til,
door, and she ran up to find-Uncl,
Mac!
"Bit surprised to see me so soon, ah
my dear?" he says cheerfully, "but tn.
fact is. I've run out Of cash, so
thought wonld drop down earlier ant
have a bit Of lunch with you"
"Have lunch with mer' cried Nellie
in a horror-stricken voice I'm afrait
/ have nothing i'm the house IJncl.