Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-07-30


II admit" replied Uncle Robert.
"that to prove II before adopting It
would be impossible. II isn't neces-
sary to prove It. Any fool can see
that the idea is ridiculous"
Uncle" interrupted for the pur.
pose Of calling truce and preventing
Aunt Abigail from firing arcturn shot.
"let me iii your glass
"No. sir" putting his hand over it.
mot at all. sir. drink just one glass
OF wine with my dinner And that's
enough for any man."
"Quite right" | replied and filed my
own for the third time
zone Is TOO much for any man. espe.
cially an old man." snapped the aunt
Nothing Is so disgusting to me as an
old topper"
The shot. while It applied partly to
me. was fired at Uncle Robert.
mot at ALL" he replied zone glass
Is good for the system You know
what ST. Paul says. Take little wine
for the stomachss sake"
Eyes" rctorted Aunt Abigail. "and
know that the devil can quote Scrip.
ture."
This Yves so well turned that felt
like patting the old lady on the back
But II did not squclch Uncle Robert
for the simple reason that he was un
squelchable. The sklrmlshing went
OH, getting hotter and hotter. till ar
last. to prevent an open rupture. my
wife arose from the table. She. poor
woman. was dreading n fracas. and
was not anxious to have break occur
so early In the game
As soon as Fanny and ! were alone
together we sat down and laughed
did you ever see anything work
more beautifully" l said. slapping my
leg.
Never"
"Let them go their own gait. Ny
opinion is that one or the other will
get out within week."
Every day my uncle came to me aud
said that he couldn't live In the same
house with cat and was going TO
morrow. Every day Aunt Abigail went
to Fanny and said she could not posi-
bly, endure that opinionated old heath
en- and she was casting about for All
other home. but II was dreadful thai
she should be alone IN the world. with
no one TO love but Fanny. and Fanny
must needs be incumbered by all her
husbands relatives. told my uncle
that IL were deprived Of the comfor,
of caring for my fathers brother In
his old age II would break my heart
Fanny made faint hearted attempts 10
quiet her aunt and agreed with her
that my uncle was trifle hard 10 get
on with. regrctting Mt the same time
that he had the same claim on me that
her aunt had on her II Is true that
occasionally there would be lul IN
the hostilities and we would find the
two chatting quite amicably. But this
was when they happened TO strike
some subject which was pet with
both. AS soon as they drlfted into
topics on which they disagreed the
roar of battle recommended
Several weeks passed IN this way.
and Fanny and | were getting impa-
tient for the denOucment. when one
day uncle came to me and said that
he would like 10 have few words
with me and Fanny alone. lie looked
very serious. and ! felt quite sure ho
would announce his departure. He
was a born gentleman. and nothing
would be further from his nature than
10 hurt ones feelings. and To appear
ungrateful would break his heart
called Fanny into the library. shut the
door and waited for the old man 10
speak
"My dear boy" he began. taxing my
hand. "and my dear little girl" taking
Fanny's hand. Il have something 60
announce which will surprise you. ]
am going TO leave you.'
"Oh. uncle" we both exclaimed. try
ing hard to appear much disappointed.
even shocked.
Yes. am going away. aud your
aunt Is also going"
This was indeed a surprise.
"Your Kindness has brought about
great change IN two lonely lives. For
time II seemed 20 both OF US that we
must thwart your plans for the happi-
ness Of both OF us. II has not seemed
that we can live under the same roof
together"
He paused. andsl thought he was go
Ing 10 shed tears Then he added abb
ruptly:
1--WE are both going 10 leave you to-
morrow"
Both"
ayes, both We are TO be quietly
married at o o'clock and leave on a
short wedding trip on the 10 o'clock
train"
Goodness gracious" from Fanny.
Great Scottg' from me.
But we shall be gone only few
days"
"And then" exclaimed Fanny and
breathlessly.
"And then" resumed the old man,
putting n hand on each OF cur heads,
1--WE return TO spend the rest OF our
lives with our dear niece aud nephew"
Heaven helps those who help them