Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-06-26
UNCLE JOHN INTRUDEs

UNCLE JOHN lNTRUDES.
The short road, a crescent of seinj-
detached villas, each fronted by a a.
minutiVe privet-edged enclosure dotted
with shrubs, lay quiet and deserted
when the queer looking old gentleman
in the shabby inverness and the soft hat
turned into it. The glad promise Of
spring was in the air. Somewhere at a
little distance a skylarll was singing
merrily. AS he crossed over to the
sunny side his every action was OBJ
served, His keen eyes mad noted that
the plane-tr avenue was waking into
life
Pulling at his old brier he walked
slowly along the whole length of the
road, and then, turning, came as slow
ly back. Behind eurtained windows
curious women saw him stand for a
long time, at intervals gazing into space
and up at 5he house which had remained
with closed door and lowered blinds ever
since the visit of the dread Reaper ten
days before Following his every action
they observed him knock his pipe on his
boot, and, after placing it in his pocket,
push open the swinging gate and walk
quietly up the path. For days the house
had given no sign of habitation; the
ringing of many callers had failed to
effect response, and. as his fingers came
from the furnished bell, they craned for
ward interestedly.
The door remained closed. For full
minute he waited before he rang again.
Still there came no response. The lit
tie gentleman was nonplussed. Like
the neighbors he had the suspicion that
despite it's unoccupied, desolate air the
house held the man he had iourneyed
to see, and he shook his gray head with
misgiving.
THE boy won't see you, John" he
said to himself, in his jerky way Wont
see anybody. Heartsick, despairing; still
fighting out his terrible battle Hope
less business, solitary brooding.
Mustn't turn back, John. Got to
try and help him against the odds" He
TOOK off his hat and raised his Ahand
again to the bell, to arrest it suddenly
and turn for the side entrance After
that the curious neighbors lost sight of
him for some time. He reached the
garden door, to find that locked too.
STOPPING, he discovered that the KEY re-
manned in the lock, and, with little
manipulation, succeeded in pushing it
out. BY the aid of an opportune twig
he contrived to draw it beneath the
door, and, presently, he stood within
the garden.
Mustn't stand on ceremony, john
he muttered. ''The boy wants YOU
He advanced to the back door and
In a1 -
ing bur a short time he turned the han
die. The door swung open and, very
quietly, he stole within.
The kitchen was in disorder. On the
table showed the remnants of meal.
The range was choked with ashes; dust
lay thickly everywhere Tiptoeing along
the passage he tried the door of the
drawing room. 1t was locked. He
peered into the dining room. It was
empty \ glass vase lay broken on the
floor with the scattered flowers, Just as
they had fallen, dead and withered. The
drawn blinds gave the room an air of
gloom. Hat in hand he assembled the
carpeted stairs, and, as he reached the
landing, he crushed it in his grip and
stayed for a space inert. From the lit
tie room facing him came the sound of
stertorous breathing. Slowly, noiseless-
~ he approached and gazed within.
The room had been converted into a
mans den Against one wall stood a
rolltop desk and typewriter on its
stand. Cases lined with books lined the
others. 4 table stood in the middle OF
the room, and, by the side of it, an easy
chair. Sitting in the chair, with his
head and arms sprawled on the table
was the man he had come TO visit
Through a mist Uncle John regarded
him pityingly, and his hand went out
to him.
Ned, boy he said feelingly, 81 am a
lonely old fellow Into my life has come
no loving woman. Butt can under
stand. | have seen men and women
whose young lives were full of promise
cut off, even as was Mary's. and the
same questioning, the same sense of in
Justice has held me, too. To what
avail? Death, even as life, must ever
remain an inscrutable mystery which
no man shall understand. We can but
submit Thousands have questioned as
YOU do. without answer. and only Times
hand has had power TO lift the weight
of grief. Weakness is but a protraet-
ill- oA ihc lultiu duAulsu- l. lie man WIG
takes up his work hravely, believe me,
is he who soonest will find the peace
that comes with resignation. Tell me,
boy what of the little one?"
The child was taken by her mother
when Mary was stricken" returned the
man YEARLY. Il have not seen her
since have seen no one"
They want you ak the office, Ned "
said John, appeslingly, Your work is
waiting, and there IS no one can do it.
May not :ell the guv-nor you win be
there tomorrow. Work is far better
physie for a mind diseased than that
YOU have fled to, and with it comes no
regret"
The man sat silent and unheeding.
The appeal had failed to touch him. In
his eyes was still the dull, hopeless lock
of despair. John shook his head, and,