The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-13
HER UNCLE HARVEY.

Mr.. Broadway has a weakness for
gentlemen who have attained advanced
years and snowy hair and beard. There
fore, he was genuinely grieved by Mrs
her uncle Harvey of Vermont permission
to stop at her house during his con-
templated trip to New York.
I'm getting tired of working myself
into a string trying to entertain cOun-
try relations who would not turn their
hands over to do me a favor if / was
on the verge of starvation. Mrs Broad
way said. I'm not running a hotel If
Uncle Harvey would pay me anything
for my trouble it would be different
But he won't. I'll venture to say that
he would come down here and stay a,
month, if he had the chance. and not
box of candy an the time he was here
That's the way. A hotel is the place
for such a penurious, whimsical old
gentleman. and I'm going to write today
and tell him So"
Mr.. Broadway was panied by this
TRADE. and he protested meekly against
the inhospitable proceeding I don't
know about that, Kate" he said. 1t
doesn't seem just the right thing to do
He's an old man, you say, and there's
no telling what may happen to him if
he wander around New York alone
Mrs. Broadway laughed complacent-
". Don't you worry about him" she
advised. He's able to take care of
himself. Besides, whose relation is he
yours or mine2n
Mr.. Broadway beat a meditatfve tat
too against the side of his plate, as If
passing before him in mental review all
the persons bound to him by ties of con-
sanguinity. Yours" he finally admit
ted. regretfully.
Mine. to be sure" assented Mrs.
Broadway. and III do what 1 choose
with him"
While Mr.. Broadway finished eating
his breakfast his wife unf1fnchingiy
dealt the rushing blow to Uncle Har-
vey's hopes Mr.. Broadway mailed the
cruel letter. He felt very much like a
criminal as he saw it glide down the
mail chute on the first stage of its jour
ney- All through the week his CON
1 science continued to swat him strong,
disquieting blows. and it was chiefly a
sense of sympathy with Uncle Harvey
that prompted him to be so exceeding
" polite to the old gentleman he met on
a street car one evening soon after This
/ particular gentleman had a mop of the
regulation silvery hair and whiskers. He
was stoop-shouldered and lean-face. His
/ clothes were not cut and fitted accord
ing to the most approved models, and
his uneasy, wondering glances were ev-
idence that he was a stranger in the
city. He sat beside Mr. Broadway in
time in frightened silence. Finally he
said timidly
Can you tell me, sir. of quiet room
or boarding house where I can put
up for the few days that I intend to re-
main in New York? 1 don't want tc
20 to a hotel If 1 can help it. 1 ar
an old man. accustomed to the quiet
social life of home. and a hotel is :
fearful dreary lonesome place for al
old countryman like me. I'd feel So
much better satisfied il I could put VI
with a nice quiet family If you coulC
recommend any such place I'd take i
very kindly
Mr.. Broadway's heart went straigh
out in pity to the lonely stranger. anC
his mind Travelled with equal CELEBRITY
to the pleasant little side room in hi
own fiat which would, in all probability
remain unoccunied for some months r
come. Native generosity and a desir
to atone for The uncerenonious squelch
ing administered to Uncle Harvey, over
balanced Mr. Broadway's discretion am
he said cordially: