The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-10-09
y DWARD LESLIE kissed his
I wife fondly when she ran to
- the door to welcome him home

YEARLY into the easy chair by the fire
and rested his head upon his hand. HI
was tired after long days work. will
nothing but a couple of buns to sta!
the inner man-tired and worried. They
had been married now nearly twelve
months, and they found housekeeping
more expensive than they had antici
pated, and the better times they hal
hoped for seemed as far off as ever. II
was nearly the end Of the month, too
and the rent would soon be due. The
coal, also, had vet to be paid for, and
then there was the interest on some
tickets" which must be paid. or his
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 thell
little home together.
Dinner is nearly ready, dearest,
she said as she stroked his hair back
from his forehead. "And YOU ere hun
cry and tired. dear, and worried"
Presently the postman's sharp rap
caused him to spring up and run to the
door. He came back more slowly.
Its from Uncle Mac" he said.
swell, 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.
"My Dear Godson Ted-I have come
back to England after fifteen years in
Australia. AS things are not too we'll
with me, propose to come and stay a
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 we'll, Ted" she said,
slowly. as she finished.
$50 did l." said her husband. "But,
then, everyone abroad is always doing
we'll. I must write at once and put
him off,"
"No. Ted. DEAR" his little wife said,
bravely. Because you are married I
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 a shilling or two before
Friday night.
Barely an hour later Uncle Mac an
nounced his arrival with 4 performance
on the little brass knocker which start
led several of Mr.. Leslie's quiet neigh
borS.
"Glad to see you, me boy. Glad to
see you. Nice little place you got, but
awkward to find. Took the wrong train
at Broad street, so had to come up on
the tram. And say, Ted, my boy,
why on earth don't they put the pave
ment all the way along the street:
Half way down I got mixed up in a
mountain of mortar, quite lost my
temper, and nearly my umbrella. AS
/ said to man who came down with
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-bringing
with him sufficient of the much-sized
mortar Oh his boots to build a small
sized villa. Come over to the light
and let me look at YOU
"Nice face, but tired" he said, quite
audibly, although intended only for
himself. Smart girl, but no strength
or backbone. Novel and the sofa and
pretty fal-dal-lals. Wonder why he
married her?"
Because he loved me and loved
him." said Nellie, proudly.
Il beg your pardon" said Uncle Mac,
hurriedly. "Silly habit, speaking your
thoughts aloud. Learnt it in the lone
ly bush. No offense. Hope you're
happy and your love will last, but they
do say when poverty comes in at the
what's-its-name love SHOOTS out of the
thingummy."
That's wrong, my dear, isn't it?'
said Edward, slipping his arm round
her waist. poverty only make our
love the brighter. But come, Uncle
Mac, my little girl has some real old
Irish stew for supper, and I'm sure
you're hungry"
You're right, Ted my boy" cried
Uncle Mac. Pm absolutely raven
GUS"
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 1 prefer the
kitchen"
During supper he kept them all
merry with stories of his life in Aus
tralia, but Nellie's eyes noted with ap-
prehension that his appetite was likely
10 be serious strain on her limited
larder.
5000 tack, this" he said presently,
with appreciation. ''Knocks billy and
camper hollow. But you're not eating
muchr'
"Oh, I've plenty, thank YOU" she
stammered, but Uncle Mae silently
noted that the meat had been served
to Ted and himself. while her nlote
made brave show with little else than
potato.
Nearly week passed and one dav
Nellie was just wondering whether She
would have an egg or her lunch now,
or wait till ), when a ring came to the
door. and she ran up to fnd-Uncle
Mac.
Bit surprised to see me so soon, ah,
my dear:' he says cheerfully, "but the
fact is. I've run out of cash, so I
thought | would drop down earlier and
have bit of lunch with you.'
Have lunch with me- cried Nellie
IN horrOr-stricken voice. I'm afraid
bova not thiDr in,