The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-05-04

what aim { enough Tor TWO.
"That's so" said uncle, cheerful
ly. But then you never know wher
your luck will change. 1 hadn't
even enough baccy to fill my pipe
when I made my big strike. Que
day not farthing next, bandfuls oi
gold"
"Handfuls of gold !" gasped Bert.
sBucketsful, my boy. But there,
that's nothing. I'll just step dowr
to the Dragon for an hour
ST knew he was a millionaire,
said Mrs. Packman, with conviction.
when her husband reported the con
versation.
eff he's got ali that, why did he
want to borrow a bob of me this
morningl" retorted Bert.
"He's trying you, that's what he
is, y said Mrs. Packman.
ssWell, I wish he wouldn't try Sc
blooming hard" grumbled Bert.
For two weeks and a day had
Uncle Henry enjoyed his nephew's
hospitality, when the latter got hons
rather late in the evening tofind that
uncle had already had his supper and
gone off to the Green Dragon.
"He's going tomorrow, he tells
me" said Mrs. Packman, as she laid
out her husbands s meal.
We'll, that's blessing" said
Bert. 81 suppose he didn't say moth
ing about paying up, or even giving
US PRESENT."
"I shouldn't be surprised if he
done something for you," said Mrs.
Packman, mysteriously. "He told
me particularly to tell you to go down
to the Dragon as soon as you'd done
your supper, as he'd something tc
say"
"I'll CO." said Bert, pushing his
empty plate away. "Butif he thinks
he'll get anything out of me he's mis-.
took. He's had nine.and. six already.
and if he don't offer to return it I'll
show him up afore 'em all. -
The bar parlor was full when Bert
entered it, but he found a chair had
been kept for him. He had hardly
seated himself before his uncle rose,
and, having secured attention by
ordering drinks round, addressed the
company.
"My friends" he began, "when ]
made up my mind to return to dear
old England I said to myself I will
not write to the old folks at home
and say I'm coming; I'll just drop
in and see how they will receive the
prodigal. Gentlemen, the welcome
my nephew gave me to his home
came from his kind heart. He did
not know whether was rich or poor,
pauper or millionaire. I was his
uncle, that was enough"
Everyone turned and stared at
Bert, who shifted uneasily in his
seat.
"I. have here, continued Uncle
Henry, producing from his pocket
four small yellow Jumps, 'some mug.
gets from the celebrated Doemall
Mine, which I discovered, and I
should like, in this room in which ]
first met him, to present to my dear
nephew, Bert, one of these nuggets
in remembrance of my home.com'
ing"
He held up one of the Jumps for
all to see.
"It is only worth about $500, but
as he wears it on his watch chain il
will at least remind him of his poor
old uncle"
The rest of the evening was con-
fused dream to Bert, and it was moi
until he awoke the next morning and
drew the nugget from under his pill
low that he was fully assured it was
really fact.
"Shall you wear it on your chain,
Bert p asked Mrs. Packman as they
gazed at it in the cold morning light
"No fear. Til take it round to q
goldsmith's I know in Cheapside
first thing when get there, and sell
it, and I'll telegraph to you what hs
gives"
AS Bert prepared to start for the
city his uncle drew him aside.
IT find have no ready left" ht
said, "and as I have to meet my part
ner in the mine today, if you could
let me have a couple of quid shoule
be obliged. I could raise money on
these other nuggets of course, but
don't want to part with them
Thanks, Bert /; you won't regret it.
for you haven't heard the last of youl
old uncle yet. Goodbye, my boy
Some three hours later, ID a bach
room in Bloomsbury, Uncle Henry
was shaking hands with his partner
sharp-featured, clean-shaven man
with shifty eyes.
"Well, old pard," said Uncle
Henry, "and how's the show-going
Is our mug hooked?"
''Not quite; but I think he'll bite
all right. I've had lot of trouble
with him, though. / pitched him the
usual yarn about out having to keel
the mine secret, and of course h'
thought we'd pinched the Jumps ant
that he's got fancy strike, as WI
couldn't make fuss if he paid Ii
half value"
"That is good," chuckled Uncle
Henry.
Eyes, but had to part with tina
small specimen for a fver, which
meant a ten for him, the rascal. How
ever, I reckon it's all right now
He's to be here at O'Clock to meet
my partner and make a bid for the
rest Of our specimens. He insisted OF
selecting one to be tested by pal O
his, who is a jeweler in Oxford street
but I'll see to it that it's the real on,
he chooses and then we'll just ban,
the buffers into him and clear"
"I've given one of 'em away,
said Uncle Henry, with a grin.
ss(xivan If auov Toe 7p said hi