The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-01-18

r LISTENERS, OF course, cannot complain
of what they hear; but Uncle did not
He had missed his spectacle when
he took off his spectacles. and had come
downstairs again in his dressing-gown and
slippers to look for it. The dining-room
door was ajar, and he heard his name mem
toned before he had time to cough He
had no breath to cough with after hearing
what he heard.
"Im quite sure that Uncle is trying"
father said He vas fathers Uncle, and
he had just come home from abroad. Il
don't want him to live with us any more
choosers."
I'VE aren't quite beggars. dad" Mar
ian said, in her impulsive way. land I'd
ideas. He suggests little improvements in
half the things you and mother do; and as
for Bob and me. everything we do is wrong.
"'Young people and she initiated
Uncle's deep voice" young people were
very different when l was young" l don't
believe he ever was young"
Marian dear mother interposed gently;
you. mummy Wv You aren't a thoughtless
young person-only an angel Father isn't
quite young, either You know there's a
wee W bald spot. daddy, Just tat at the back ssn
Anyhow. Bob and are young and we like
to enjoy ourselves; and you've always let us
you and dad
3
another round the room and throw cush-
ions. Dad rather likes it IL we hit him
by mistake. If you'd seen Uncles face
when he came in the door, and the sofa
pillow Bob threw hit him! :"
Marian and Bob laughed; and Uncle
shook his fist at the door.
Bob ought to be ashamed of himself,
father said. Uncle could hear that he was
laughing too II SHE'D straight enough
Bob apologized but Marry ducked. Look
here. dad Cant get some extra work in
H. xrAa.t1
get out of him? You see we-we've always
got on jolly we'll together at home. It's an
awful bore having someone else forced upon
US. He isn't going to pay so very much; and
1t won't be all profit, suppose?"
my dear boy" father objected. sit isn't
just what he pays. He-it sounds rather
mean. but the fact is he's rich. and we're
poor. He must leave his money to some
one; and there's telling what he might
do for you and Marian.
Mother and don't want it for our.
we know what, it is. 1 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"
.You see, dears," mother explained, "your
father has had deal OF business worry
lately. l can't say that I'm quite pleased
to have stranger among us. and own
that he is a trihe hdgety, but dare say he
means we'll.
Perhaps we shall get on all right when
ave understand one another Detter am
8sure, that what father thinks best is best"
There was silence, and mothers knitting
needles were clicking again.
"If you and father think II is right. that
settles IT," Bob said, land we'll do our best
to get on with him but I'm afraid we shall
soon do something to offend him.
I'm sure We SHALL" Marian agreed.
Don't look like that mummy. Well try
to behave like-like young people did in
Uncle's young days-if he ever was young.
/ tell you what wen do. Bob. When he
gets too bad we'll go out in the passage,
and just make grimaces at the door,"
II shall keep out Of his way altogether"
Bob declared. I've no patience with his
twaddle. I'd like to know how often he
tells that story about the lion? wonder
II he really shot II?
shoot a lion Why, he's afraid OF Minxt
Diddums think called him. silly old dog
You don't like him. do you Minxie? Hear
me say Uncle and make Mink bark"
marian dear, - mother protested.
well. mother, do you believe he shot the
ut is very nice skin" mother remarked
ate just a little as they get older; but be
might have shot II. don't you think, father?''
HUmphi" said father "Ye-es. should
think he was a very good shot-with the
iong-bow. He's got .another story about
tiger. He's only told II me twice as yet
but II beats the lion story hollow"
Uncle did not wait to hear any more
ut. fathers version OF the tiger story they
must have heard him slam his bedroom
door They would have been somewhat
startled n they had seen his face, as he
stood like O statue, crouching little, with