Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19
Uncle Jonathan.

cGSSf II sec t1Ilus DUl LQeu Lney were al
ways just as impatient. And II grandpa
had come three times week. or even seven
times. he would have been Rugged and
kissed as lovingly. for grandpa was such a
dear old man
Today there had been special treat In
the little baskets that came and went regu-
larry with grandpa Down In corner. where
1t was the last thing to be found was
packed In each basket little white box
filled with Auntie NeIps best homemade
candy. How good it vast And mamma let
them have some just AZ soon as they
found It.
The day passed pleasantly. as most Of
the days did there. The children 80 en-
joyed every minute they really seemed to
forget that best treat Of all, srandpa's
story. Indeed everything that day was 50
delightful that they couldn't quite tell what
was best.
II think Auntie Nells candy was best"
said Kenneth. because 1t was full of nuts
and sugar, and mamma let US eat SO much
of it"
Il think grandpa's coming to bring 1t
was best" said Constance very wisely: and
Kenneth was 50 impressed by Conny's opin-
lon that he said nothing more.
1t was story-time now Mamma was In
the hammock Grandpa WAS out under his
favorite tree. Kenneth on one knee. Con-
stance on the other. as happy as .could be.
Dear me. that sounds quite like little
verse; but no matter.
Now. grandpa dear. we're weady," said
Constance. Constance was a very sweet
little girl, even If she couldn't say her RS.
Tell us another spanking story, please.
grandpa" Kenneth said. You see. grandpa
had told them the last week about how he
came near being whipped when he was
little boy.
mot this week. laddie," said grandpa,
I'VE must have a variety.
will you tell US the yawiety?" said Con-
stance
And then how grandpa laughed!
"a variety, COMFY. isn't story he said,
but 1t means that l will tell you another
kind. so that you win not have two alike
SO closely together Now, IL you both keep
pretty still for a whole minute, l am sure
I think Of a fine one"
/ wish you could have seen them then;
grandpa in his big chair, his eyes closed
because he was thinking very hard; Ken
meth sitting up very straight and keeping
his eye on Constance so she wouldn't bother
grandpa; and COMFY nesting close up to
grandpa and keeping very still, except for
her dark eyes, which were watching him
eagerly while he thought. In about min
ute, although 1t seemed thirty to Kenneth
and his little sister. grandpa's eyes opened
''Yes will tell you that one, think,
said he. because 1t Is such a warm. sunny
day you will quite understand how 1t all
could beP' And he smiled first at one then
at the other. and then across at mamma.
You know there were several of US chill
dren; grandpa had five brothers and four
sisters. as he has told you dozens of times.
with all their names and ages. Do you re-
member ne had brother Jonathan, chr
. "Oh, yes, yes." said Kenneth.
81 wemember vewy WELL" said Constance.
proudly
did ever tell you how Jonathan wiped the
dishes?''
.'Oh, no." Kenneth cried.
Never did," Constance chimed In.
That's very queer grandpa went on,
7 n we'll. You
great-grandpa and great-grandma-
"Your papa and mamma Kenneth said
to him. explaining to Constance.
Yes. laddie, grandpa said, great
grandpa and great-grandma had to go
away once for all day. Sister Mary and
Brother Jonathan were the only big chill.
dren at home: there were two or three OF
us little ones left. The day was so warm
and sunny that the morning flew by. we
all had our little chores to do. but as 1t
wasn't a school day we could play ahteF
our work. Sister Mary got dinner Tor us
all, and then wanted Brother Jonarnan 70
help her wash the dishes.
Now, grandma had told Brother Jona-
than he must wipe the dinner dishes for
Jonathan refused. He said that was
girls work and he wouldn't do It. That
was very naughty. for he was disooeylns
mother. Jonathan. however. didn't seem
and am not surprised she was. Well, she
washed the dishes. but declared sns
wouldn't wipe them. The minute she had
finished the last dish she took us cniioren
ont to the woods
i'Our woods?' said Kenneth.
Eyes, those very woods" answered
grandpa. ~ .,a
Constance excited1y.
Not a bear, Conny but lots OF cunning
little squirrels and birds and even now and
then little snake"
ooh, my!" Constance cr1ed' ana snussieu
n GRANDPA
1--WE went home about 5 o'clock" grandpa
continued land Just as we We're coming
through the garden we saw ,. ia anon d Ma
ali rushed around to meet them-a!l except
Jonathan. who was nowhere 10 pc seen.
Then, while father drove on to the Darn
wa went into the house with mother, and
pretty soon out into the kitchen. Mary tell
ing mother about the dishes But Wnen VIZ
got there
.arhe cupboard was bare" chanted COMFY.
Grandpa laughed at that, and SAID,
eyes. the table was bare Of all dishes.
And where do you suppose we found them3
On the little hill out by the kitcnen QUOT
where grandpa has his veroena pee now.
avery dish turned face down. all dried py
the hot sun! We all laughed; 1t looked 30
fnnny YOU know. to see all those dishes out
on the side of the hill! Mother stopped
laughing first and said: 1 m AFRAID ensli
have to send Jonathan down ceiar LOT the
gray lath-'"
"Wasn't the gway laff bwoken yet"
asked Constance. For grandpa had told
them last week how the gray lath great
grandma used for punishments had been
broken
"No not yet" grandpa said.
.fWhere was Uncle Jonathan asked
Kenneth.
ITO be sure where was Uncle Jonathanf
Father went out into the far orchard after
he left the barn and there up In q tree
with tho old bull asleep underneath, was
poor scared Jonathan, who wouldn't 90
zirls work. and yet was scared by q poor
old bull with broken horns"
Here grandpa laughed 30 heartily that
Kenneth and Constance and mamma laugh
ed too, and didn't stop for q long time
not until Kenneth said:
Ibid great grandma spank Jonathan with
the gray lathr
s'she meant to-" grandpa answered, but
first she made him take the dishes In one
by one. And then. just as he was going
down cellar to bring her the gray lath he
slipped and fell all tho way downstairs
and bumped his head 80 that 1t ached all
night.
'.Did 1t never stopf" asked Constance.
And Just as grandpa was saying:
Eyes, the next day." Kenneth saw papa
coming; then grandpa with Constance In
his arms. and Kenneth helping mamma to