Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-09
Saving Uncle Henry.
 By Award RidGstOoy.
By Award RidSstDay.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
 Literary Press.

tc the suburbs had been that the re- auction in rent was vastly greater than Colton's communication and Mrs. Colton's occasional trips to town. They had not counted on the telephone bill, which more than made up the differ ence.
 Whats the matter now?" he asked good humoredly. "The cook left"
 That's only part" came the answer. ''The cook left, and the Nelsons have just had word that his sister is dead, and they cant come."
 That will help some," declared Col ton encouragingly. "There won't be 70 many to cook for"
 But Eleanor will have to get the dinner" walled Mrs. Colton. "That takes the three Nelsons and you and her away from the table. Don't you see that it leaves just thirteen?"
 "Thirteens lucky" cheered Colton. "You should be glad that Eleanor is there to get the dinner"
 But Uncle Henry is frightfully su- perstitious," reminded Mrs. Colton, "It's bad enough that you cant come and that my own sister must stay away to get the dinner, and we'll have to tell him that she Is out of town, but when we ask him to sit at table with twelve others-Bob, you must send out some one. Can't that nice looking bookkeeper come?"
 "On his vacation-but I'll get some one. Don't worry, Vida
 Colton hung the receiver on the hook, and Mrs. Colton beamed as she turned from the instrument Bob was de- pcndable, and that worry was off her mind.
 It was the first dinner party in the new home, and her uncle was to be Inc guest of honor. It had seemed hoodooed from the start. First Colton had beer compelled to remain in town Q attend an important conference of he trade and could not possibly get put.
 Her sister Eleanor Norris, had been "alled into service to replace the cook, who had left, declaring that she would sec her employer and the guests sepa- rately and individually condemned be- lore she would cook for eighteen per sons. and then at the last moment the Nelsons had sent regrets, cutting the number at table down to the thirteen abhorrent to Uncle Henry, from whom the Coltons had expectations"
 Vida had noticed that her husbands bookkeeper was an extremely good looking young fellow, and she had tel ephoned Cotton to send him out. Prob ably he would send out the bookkeep- ar's relief, and Vida gave no more thought to the matter save to offer up fervent application that his table manners should be good.
 The others had arrived when there was ring at the bell, and in her anx- Iety Mrs. Colton herself rushed to the door. A tall. clean cut young man stood at the entrance, and at his in- quiring Mrs. Coltont' Vida fairly dragged him across the hall and into the dining room, where she carefully closed the door.
 I'm awfully sorry" she began. "Mr. COlton asked you to come out because we wanted to avoid thirteen at the table But 1t happens that a Mir. Grimsby could not come either, and so now you would make the thirteenth"
 Il sec" he said with light laugh "Then I'll head back for town"
 II couldn't let you do that cried Vida, with gasp. "There is no train until o:57. You will not get to town until almost Ii. You must stay here and have some dinner. I'm sure you won't mind eating in the laundry"
 I'd rather like it," was the genial response. If you will indicate the general direction I'll head that way and let you get back to your guests"
 Vida pointed to the door to the but ler's pantry. GO through there and tell them who you are" she directed; then she hurried back to the waiting diners. Her uncle was standing by the door
 Was that another guest?" he de- manded uneasily.
 Just a helper that Bob sent out from town" she explained gllbly, and Uncle Henry breathed sigh of relief. 'I'm rather glad that Bob was de- tained in town" he said. Tt will pre- vaut fhere heinz thirtaen at the fable I'm not superstitious, but I know of two cases where there were thirteen at the table, and each time one died before the year was out. I'm getting to be an old man, Vida, and, while I'm not superstitiOus about it-well, it's just as we'll not to tempt fate"
 Vida smiled her understanding of the case, and as Norah appeared in the doorway to announce that dinner was served they all filed out.
 Vida sustained a shock of surprise when she saw the man her husband had sent out standing ready to serve, but his face was as impassive as though he had been a butler and not q bookkeeper all his life. and it was with little futter of pride that Vida realized that the local guests would suppose that they had imported but ter from town for the occasion.
 The dinner passed of splendidly. The butler acquitted himself with the greatest credit. and Eleanor did her cooking sciicol training full justice.