Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-01-02

of what they hear but Uncle did not
intend to, listen.
he took off his spectaces. and had come
downstairs again in his dressing-gown and
slippers to look for 1t. The dining-room
door was ajar, and he heard his name men
toned before he had time to cough. He
had no breath to cough with after hearing
what he heard.
father said. 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 bessars can't be
Eve aren't quite beggars. dad Mar
Ian said In her impulsve 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 you and mother do: and as
for Bob and me. everything we do is wrong.
Uncle's deep voice" young people were
very different when l was young: I don't
believe he ever was young!"
Marian dear p mother interposed gently.
well. l don't! It's all very well for
you.' mummy. You aren't. thoughtless
young person-only an angel. Father isn't
quite young. either. You know there's
Oh-h! Let me go I! No; there isn't then.
Anyhow. Bob and are young. and we like
to enjoy ourselves; and you've always let us
''You don't grumble II We chase one
another round the room and throw cush-
ions. Dad rather likes 1t II we hit him
by mistake. II you'd seen Uncle's face
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! Can't 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 well together at home It's an
awful bore having someone else forced upon
us. He isn't going to pay so very much; and
ii won't be all profit, suppose"
my dear boy father objected ''it isn't
mean. but the fact is he's rich. and we're
poor. He must leave his money to some
one and there's no telling what he might
do for you and Marian.
Mother and don't want it for our
selves but We've had hard struggle. and
we know what it is. dare say we shall
happy little family circle as much as you
will but don't see what else We can do"
Father sighed.
"You see dears," mother explained. "your
lately. l can't say that I'm quite pleased
to have a stranger among us, and ! own
that he is..a trihe fdgety. but dare say he
Perhaps we shall get on all right when
we understand one another better. l am
sure that what father thinks best is best"
q
needles were clicking again
IF you and father think it Is right that
settles it," Bob said, "and 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.
I tell you what we'll 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 1--WE no patience with his
twaddle. I'd like to know how often he
tells that story about the lion? wonder
II he really shot it?"
"Of course not" Marian said. "He
shoot lion Why. he's afraid Of Mink !!
Diddums think called him. silly old dog !!
You don't like him. do you Mnxie? Hear
me say Uncle. and make Mink bark"
Marian dear!" mother protested.
well. mother, do you believe he shot the
lion?"
1T is a very nice skim" mother remarked
thoughtfully. people sometimes exagger-
ate just little as they get older; but he
might have shot 1t. don't you think, father Z.
"Umphi" said father. "Ye-es. should
long-bow. He's got another story about a
tiger He's only told II me twice as yet,
but Il beats the lion story hollow"
Uncle did not wait to hear any more.
II they had not been laughing much
at fathers version of the tiger story they
must have heard him slam his bedroom
door They would have been somewhat
startled II they had seen his face. as he
stood like n statue crouching q little, with