Sharp County record., 1907-05-10


Dragon as soon as you'd done your
supper, as he'd something to say
I'll 60" said Bert, pushing his
ampty plate away. But If 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 1t III
show him up afore 'em all"
The bar parlor was full when Bert
entered 1t, but he found chair had
been kept for him. He had hardly
seated himself before his uncle rose
and, having secured attention by Or
dering drinks round. addressed the
company.
my friends" he began, when /,
made up my mind to return to dear
old England l said to myself | will not
write to the old folks at home and say
I'm coming; III 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 million
aire l was his uncle, that was
enough"
Everyone turned and stared at Bert,
who shifted uneasily in his seat.
II have here" continued Uncle
Henry, producing from his pocket four
small yellow Jumps, some nuggets
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 homecoming.
He held up one Of the Jumps for all
to see.
ut is only worth about G100, but
as he wears 1t on his watch chain 1t
will at least remind him Of his poor
old uncle"
The rest Of the evening was con.
fused dream to Bert, and II was not
until he awoke the next morning and
drew the nugget from under his pillow
that he was fully assured 1t was really
a fact.
Shall you wear 1t on your chain,
Bert? asked Mrs. Packman as they
gazed at 1t in the cold morning light.
"No fear. III take 1t round to a
goldsmith's I know In Cheapside first
thing when get there, and sell it, and
I'll telegraph to you what he gives"
AS Bert prepared to start for the
city his uncle drew him aside.
II find | have no ready left" he
said, and as have to meet my part
ner In the mine to-day, II you could
let me have couple Of quld should
be obliged, 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 your old
uncle yet. Good.by my boy"
Some three hours later, In back
room In Bloomsbury, Uncle Henry
was shaking hands with his partner,
a sharp.featured, clean.shaven man
with shifty eyes.
well, old pard," said Uncle Henry,
land how's the show going? Is our
mug hooked?'
mot quite; but think he'll bite all
right. I've had q lot Of trouble with
him though. pitched him the usual
yarn about our having to keep the
mine a secret, and Of course he
thought we'd pinched the Jumps and
that he's got fancy strike, as we
couldn't make fuss II he paid us half
value"
That's good" chuckled Uncle
Henry.
"Yes but I had to part with that
small specimen for Aver, which
meant a clear ten for him, d--n him,
However, reckon It's all right now,
He's to be here at two o'clock to meet
my partner and make bid for tho
rest Of our specimens. He Insisted on
selecting one TO be tested by pal OF
his who Is u Jeweler In oxford street,
but III sec to II that It's the real ono
he chooses and then we'll Just bang
the buffers into him and clear"
"I've given one Of EN- away" said
Uncle Henry with a grin.
"Given II away Joo?" said hls part.
ner sharply, whats your little
gamer
Couldn't help IT," said Uncle
Henry, exploding into roar Of laugh.
ter, BEST Joke I've had for years and
besides ! lived on II for fortnight
and drew two quid this morning to
finish up with, Not q bad return on
tuppeny ha'penny lump Of gllded
lead eh7 II was this way" and the
flmnamming Of Bert and his wifo was
soon described.
"Iloro are tho Jumps" said uncle
when he had recovered sufficiently to
speak, and no threw parcel across
tho table, The partner undid tho par.
col and picked out tho nuggets, but
his smile died AWAY Ns no examined
them,
"That's flno yarn OF yours" no
aaId aloWly. "but Il won't Waah NV