Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-23
Miss Matdda's Nephew.
BY POLLY BOWERS.

1t was very unusual for anything out of
the ordinary to happen in the small and
quiet village of Egremont, so when Miss
Matilda Draper announced the fact that she
was going to have her ten-year-old nephew
from New York visit her, the greatest ex-
element prevailed and in twinkling the
news was all over the town.
Miss Matildas dearest friend was Mrs.
Hart, who-iived next door. and as these two
discussed the coming of Miss Diapers
nephew, Jimmy by name, they both de-
cided that he and Mrs. Harris son Freddy
would be capital playmates.
I'm glad" said Mrs. Hart, that Freddy
will have some other boy to play with, be-
so much that he's perfect Molly"
Miss Matilda acknowledged That she did
not know much about the expected James,
but he probably was nice. quiet boy.
The day of his arrival came and Miss
Draper drove down to the station behind
her old and staid horse. and reached there
just as the train rolled in. Before it had
fairly stopped off jumped a hatless small
old carryall. and jumped in like hurricane.
II knew it was you, Aunt Tildie," Jimmy
exclaimed breathlessly, F." cause father said
you had a horse and wagon that looked as
thoGgh they came out of the ark"
Somewhat taken aback by this very frank
remark. Miss Draper family asked him
where his hat was.
ooh, it blew out of the window at Henry
as 1t isn't cold don't mind"
Five minutes after they reached the house
Jimmy had explored every nook and cor
ner. and turned everything In his room
topsyturvy, scattering the contents of his
trunk about, until the place looked as
though a cyclone had struck 1t. Poor Miss
Matilda felt as If she were entertaining
some sort Of wild animal, and the old lady
wondered how long she could stand her gay
and frolicsome guest.
1t didn't take Jimmy long to make the
acquaintance Of every child in the village,
and he was soon their acknowledged leader.
He stopped at nothing and put SO many
old mother expected daily to see her son
brought home in sections.
Miss Matilda stood 1t as long as she could,
and then after her nephew painted the inof-
fensive white tabby q deep purple and left
It to wander round a deeply colered shadow
for many a day, she rebelled, and said that
Jimmy must go home.
The next day was set for her nephew's
departure, and his trunk was quickly
packed and stood ready to CO. Immediately
Jimmy set about eudgeling his wicked little
brains to prepare some grand fun to end his
visit. and 1t was some time before he could
think of anything effective enough. Then
the very thing came into his head A boat
race with Freddy Hart!
Now, to this fine scheme there was only
one drawback. Jimmy and Freddy were not
on the best of terms. owing to the fact that
Nellie Dwight. who lived three houses down,
and had formerly shared her Saturday al
lowance of candy with Freddy, had the last
week given half of the candy to Jimmy
Draper; and what boy could tolerate that?
So 1t took Jimmy some time to muster
his courage to make the first overtures of
peace and approach his rival After few
preliminary glances they finally spoke and
Jimmy proposed the scheme of boat race
on Miss Matilda's boat pond.
Now there was one thing that Freddy
could do very well, and that was row: so
he eagerly consented to the race. and that
very afternoon was set for the great event.
Quite crowd of children collected on
the banks to watch the start, and the two
boys set on with many cheers from the adj
mlring iookers-on. From the first Jimmy
was ahead. and 1t was very evident that