Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-22

other. But we didn't know it all, as we found out afterward.
 We cut of one of old Towser's crink- iy yellow curls and put 1t in the letter, after Maud had sprinkled 1t with Berga- mot hair oil.
 dropped the letter into the post office and next morning, when went for the mail, brought 1t to Uncle Jed. Who in nater's writin' to me on that are pink envelope?" says he, putting on his specks and squinting at the letter. Coll darn 1t! It's some of them pesky horspittle women that want donation, or else it's one of them club females that wants me to vote for some old petticoat- cd man for the legislator. Or mebbe it's from some of them dratted hair re- storer concerns that want me to try their stuff for bald heads! I'm a good mind to put it right into the fire!"
 But he didn't. He put 1t into his pocket instead, and went off out to the wood shed to read 1t alone.
 Maud and l, we skinned out after him, and crept up the stairs to the loft over the shed; where the cracks is big and you can look right down and see everything that Is going on.
 "Graciousn says Uncle Jed, as he sat down on the saw horse, rigged his specks firmly on his nose, and broke the seal as if he expected the inside of the let ter was full of dynamite, who can be writing me letter on such Unified pa per? A motto at the top, too. Two hearts stuck through with one arrer! Highly respected and honored sir'- Gee whillikins! If that don't beat the Dutch! Pardon humble and adoring female'-wall, wall, I'll be jiggered!"
 Here Uncle Jed got down to business and read the lettes through.
 "A woman! and she wants me to take her into my bosom, and meet her in Rob- insons park. Wall, wall, Jehosephat links! I didn't suppose there was any woman that thought of me that way. Young and confiding, and gold uncount- ed,' eh? Bounds, why don't she count 1t? Will meet her? Well, I ruther guess. Can't think who she is unless yes, I'll bet cent that it's that rich city boarder over to the Merrill house! I've seen her lookin' at me when drive up with load of cabbages And she took my picter with one of them blarsted crowdacks, too. Jenkins said so. Said she wanted it for specimen. Lordy! never thought she was in love with me. Wall, I'm about tired of livin' with old Higgins, and being at his beck and call day in and day out. Yes, I am. Gold un- counted, hey? I'll have a place of my own, and 8 hoss to drive, and dog that the wag of his tail shall be mine! Yes, sir! I'm ruther stylish looking man, of my age, and when I'm dressed up can hold my own with the best of 'em."
 "Oh, goodness!" says Maud, cramming her handkerchief into her mouth, hold me- Sam, or shall explode!"
 "Sh!" says I, "well lose some of 1t if we give way to our emotions"
 "Yes." went on Uncle Jed, ''PIl meet her, and I'll do up that bosom business to her satisfaction. Gracious! It's long spell since hugged a wqman! I'vemost forgot how it's done, bull guess I'll get used to 1t with little practice. I'll take a double dose of Stickney's Tonic Bit ters to brace me up"
 Gee whizz!" says to Maud, who'd
 
 have ketched on so quick?"
 Maud and were in Robinson's park by half past seven. We were awful 'fraid that Miss Wiggins wouldn't show up, but she was first on the ground. Maud and I hid in bunch of evergreens close by the big elm. We could see real we'll. She had the red rose in her waist.
 Pretty soon Uncle Jed appeared He had on his long-tailed surtout, and he carried cane and had his silk go-to- meeting hat tilted back on his head. He looked as chipper as grasshopper.
 Miss wiggins heard him coming. "Oh, Lprdy!" says she, under her breath, "my fate at last! How shall ever meet him?'
 And then she went slowly forward.
 Isis that you, Mr.-Mr. J.?" says she.
 "Yes," says Uncle Jed; "and is this Miss-Miss WI"
 "It is," says she, and then they both stopped short and stared at each other.
 "Oh, my Lord of Love!" says Miss Wiggins "it's-it's-Jerry! Jerry Bent! Oh, my soul and body!"
 "Yes," says Uncle Jed; land it's you, Almiry! Almiry Wiggins, ny the jump ing Judas!"
 "Well, we'll" says she.
 "Wall, wall" says he. .s
 Good gracious" whispered Maud, "I'll bet ten cents that she's his old girl! Oh, Sam, ain't we gone and done it?"
 "Almiry," says Uncle Jed, 'I got a let ter" .--t.
 "So did l." says Miss Wiggins.
 "But didn't write no letter." says Uncle Jed.
 Neither did l." says Miss Wiggins.
 "Jehosaphat!" says Uncle Jed.
 "Oh, Lordy!" says Miss Wiggins, as If an idea had struck her all of sudden; tits the first day of April, and some body's been fooling us!"
 "No, they ain't!" says Uncle Jed, with emphasis, and he flung away his cane and grabbed Miss Wiggins round the waist, and says he: Somebody's tried to, but they ain't succeeded. No, by