The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-17
The Coming Of
Uncle Byron

mot an unpleasant one?"
John smiled little ruefully.
at depends on the point of view."
He slowly produced letter.
1--WE are to have visitor" he said.
"a visitor!" she echoed.
Eyes. He says he'll come If It's
convenient"
"What did you answer him?"
Nothing. He's on his way here
now. He's coming in person to find
out whether It's convenient"
"Who is he, John?"
Hes my great-uncle. I'd forgot
ten all about him, but he hadn't for
gotten me. He's my mothers Uncle
BY, her youngest uncle"
Uncle By?"
"Short for Byron. Uncle Byron
Train"
"And what is he?"
"He neglects to say. Writes that
he's been knocking around a good
deal. Sort Of rolling stone, fancy.
Poor, too, no doubt Wants to renew
his acquaintance with his dear nep.
hew, and incidentally with his dear
niece-if there Is one"
And where is he to sleep, John?"
81 don't think there is any neces-
sity for worrying about that until we
make up our minds whether we want
him or not. He may be quite impos-
sible."
''If he comes here, John, we are not
going to turn him from the door. And
I feel sure he wouldn't have written
that letter If he wasn't fit to come.
Well keep him one night, anyway,
John"
You're all right, Clare" cried the
young husband. "And if he doesn't
prove to be too long he can sleep in
the hall bedroom. And If he is too
long we will have to give him our
room and camp down in the hall bed
room ourselves"
Read the letter, John"
"Sure. 1t isn't much to look at,
but the spelling IS fair and the writer
seems to understand how to make
himself understood. Here goes: my
dear nephew John. You may have
some difficulty in recalling me, but 1
am your great uncle, Byron Train,
the youngest Of your great-grandfath-
er's sons. want to come and see
want to see her, too. I've been knock
ing around the earth for good many
years, and l want to have a little
rest and get acquainted with my sur
viving relatives. If you can't keep
me over night, John, tell me so frank
ly. l know I'm not much to look at,
but I'm your great-uncle, and on your
dear mothers account-she and l
were playmates in our youthful days
I want to know you. I'll give you a
call, anyway, and then rou can let me
know whether 1t Is convenient or not
for me to stay. So expect me most
any time. Goodby until see you, and
my regards to Mrs. John-if there is
one"
Mrs. John smiled.
mot much of an index to his char
acter," she said "Nor does it con-
jure up any picture of the man. We
will have to see him before we pass
judgment"
She was interrupted by a quick
blast from the speaking tube.
"Eh" said John Holman. There's
the man now"
Good gracious!" cried Mrs. John
as she reached for a wandering lock
of hair.
John looked around.
SIS he welcome"
"He is"
John picked up the tube.
"a gentleman to see Mr.. Holman?
Send him up"
Johns wife cast a hurried glance
about the room.
"Its luck his letter reached US
first" she said.
There is something in that" John
admitted.
A muffled creak and rattle from
the hallway announced the stopping
of the elevator. A moment later there
was a light knock at the door.
"Sit down and try to look uncon-
cerned," whispered John. Then he
opened the door and extended his
hand.
But the man In the doorway failed
to notice this friendly overture. He
was tall man, very erect, with a
white mustache, and somewhat
flushed countenance. He was ire.
proachably dressed and in his hand
he bore silk hat
81 beg your pardon" he said, with
a slight inclination Of his head. II
am looking for Mr. Holman, Mr. John
Holman"
81 am Mr.. Holman" said John. "Will
you come in?"
The tall man accepted the invita-
ton.
II am Mr. Cuthbert Marsh," he said.
"My wife, Mr.. Marsh"
The tall man bowed little stiffly.
~ am sorry to trouble you," he said,
but my errand will be brief one.
Thank you, will not take a chair"
He hesitated a moment. II have
called to meet a guest Of yours, Mr.
Byron Train"