The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-08-04

Listeners, of course. cannot COM
plain of what they hear; but uncle did
not intend to listen. The dining-room
door was ajar, and he heard his name
mentioned before he had time to
cough. He had no breath to cough
with, after hearing what he heard.
Il am quite aware that uncle Is
trying" father safd-he was fathers
uncle. and he had just come home
from abroad. Il don't want him to
live with us, any more than you do;
but beggars can't be choosers."
I'VE aren't quite beggars, dad
Marian said, in her impulsive way,
land I'd rather beg! He'll fuss and
fuss and fuss; and want us to alter
everything to his ideas. He suggests
little improvements in half the things
that you and mother do; and as for
Bob and me. everything we do is
wrong. Young people she imi-
tated uncle's deep voice" young peo-
pie were very different when I was
young!' l don't believe he ever was
young"
Marian, dear!" mother interposed,
gently.
Look here, dad suggested Bob.
Cant l get some extra work in the
evenings, and make up the money
you'd get out of him? You see We
we've always got on jolly we'll to-
gether at home. It's an awful bore
having some one else forced upon u.s.
He isn't going to pay so very much:
and it won't be all profit, SUPPOSED"
my dear boy" father objected, "it
sounds rather mean. but the fact is
he's rich and we're poor. He must
leave his money to some one; and
for you and Marian. Mother and l
don't want it for ourselves; but we've
had hard struggle ourselves, and we
know what it is. I dare say we shall
feel the presence OF, an intruder in our
happy little family-circle as much as
you will; but don't see what else we
can do" Father sighed.
I'D like to know how often he tells
that story about the lion?" said Bob,
thoughtfully. Il wonder if he really
shot it,"
"Of course not" Marian said. "He
shoot a lion! Why, he's afraid of
Mink. You don't like him. do you,
Minxie? Hear me say, uncle and
make Mink bark"
Marian, dear!" mother protested.
We'll, mother, do you believe he
shot the lion?"
The knitting-needles stopped.
1T is very nice skin" mother re-
marked, thoughtfully. "People some
times exaggerate just little as they
set older; but he might have Shot it,
don't you think, father?''
Uncle did not wait to hear any
more. If they had not been laughing
so much they must have heard him
slam his bedroom door. They would
have been somewhat startled if they
had seen his face, his eyes small and
sharp, as if he were facing wounded
lion just before it sprang AS mat
ter OF fact, he really had shot it. There
was big mark on his shoulder still,
where the claws Of the dying lion
went in.
uncle was remarkably amiable for
the next few days. and by the end of
the week he had got on good terms
with all of them He made no more
'fusses," and he suggested no more
alterations in the family customs.
He listened so sympathetically that
gradually they told him all their
troubles
Fathers trouble was a note which
he had endorsed for man who after
ward ran away to South Africa.
Uncle pursed his lips, and smiled
smile that seemed benevolent. If Won
didn't look too closely-and father
didn't.
You have made me so genuinely
welcome he stated. II can't help
contrasting you all with the greedy
wretches who make a fuss over me
for my money. l know them. They
never deceive me-never!" He struck
the table with his fist. 81 must 500
what can do"
Uncle listened to mother with the
same kindly interest. Things wear
out so,'' she told him, with a
sigh. so much of the furniture is shah
by; and should like the house to look
better, for the children's. sake"
Uncle gave benign smile. At
least, mother took it for benign
smile. He would see what he could d.
Mother said he was too good-"real-
~ too good'-and put her handker-
Chief to her eyes. Uncle said, "Not at
all, not at ALL" and went hastily ont
They wouldn't believe me if I said
ia seen crocodile's tears" he growled
to himself. 1T would be like the lion
story"
Next he drew Bob on to conflde in
MIN. Bob's great ambition had been
to go to university "Of course tho
poor old governor couldn't afford # :"
ne said, so never worried him ahout
It. wouldn't, for the world. let him
Know. l can't help mother guessing
because she always sees through Won !"
Uncle said that he didn't wonder
and he felt the same about it when he
was BOb's age. but yOu're not too