Middletown transcript., 1910-06-11
eA UNCLE BEN'S ~
~ NEW YEARS GIFT "a

" UCoI ulW 0OOfO VIC SNAAOOS'
The act is instructive, rather than
from a determination Of the will.
Thus it was with Peter; he felt
that he was in deep water, and
caught at the first straw which
foated near him. 1t was in vain
that he reasoned against this hope
and sought to turn from it. Its
power over him was not in the
least sbated by the struggle
against it. AT length, Peter
ceased to search for arguments
against the probabilities involved
I! in Hannah's suggestion, and 10
let his mind rest pleasantly on
the certainty of receiving sub.
stantial aid from Uncle Ben. Re.
gret for his unhandsome treat.
ment of the old gentleman came
with this state, mingled with fear
lest he had in the unreasonable
ness of his anger, done himself
and family serious injury.
shouldn't sho1aiid3n wonder wonder if L re hlaea zsd
from Uncle Ben to. morrow, said
Hannah, on New J ears eve, as
they sat talking over their future
prospects.
Peter shook his head doubtingly
although the expectation of a
communication from Uncle Ben
was prominent in his mind as in
that of Hannah.
Soon after breakfast, on New
Years day, Peter walked over to
the post.ofice. On his way, spite
of all he could do, his thoughts
would run on the probable extent
of aid to be received from Uncle
Ben. The mortgage on the farm
was $4O0. If he would let us
have enough to pay that of
He checked himselfin the midst
of q half.uttered sentence, and
called himself a fool for indulging
in such vain and imprcachable
fancies.
Anything for me today? asked
Peter on arriving at the Office.
He almost held his breath with
suspense.
Here's a newspaper for you, re.
piled the postmaster.
Nc letter. said Peter, while his
heart sank heavily.
None.
Are you sureH Won'tyou look
again?
Another search was made. The
post master shook his head.
How much is to pay on thisP
asked Peter.
Nothing; the postage is paid.
Poor Peter Miller. whose feel
ings had gone under a sudden
and painful revulsion, returned
homeward.
Have you been to the post
Office? asked Hannah.
Yes. The gloom on Peters
countenance fell like a shadow
on her heart. There was no need
of further question. Hannah felt
this yet she said:
Was there nothing for usP
No; yes. And Peter drew the
newspaper from his pocket. Here
is a newspaper; but dear knows
where it came from. Oh! Yes!
He now saw q name written on
the margin. Benjamin Hicks.
Humph! What do want with
his old newspapers! and he tossed
the unopened paper into the fire.
place.
Peter! exclaimed Hannah,
snatching the paper, what are
you doing?
To Hannah's mind had come
the quick suggestion, that a let
ter containing money, might be
enclosed. Hurriedly, she un-
folded it, but there was nothing
beyond the large and well filed
newspaper.
That's an insult which I'll never
forgive, said Peter.
Don't be so hasty, Peter; wait
"a little while-Uncle Ben is in.
capable Of deliberately insulting
any one.
He has clearly insulted me-
and he did it deliberately.
No, no. Don't think SO. Uncle
Ben spoke to me very kindly of
you. He means well but acts
strangely sometimes.
Strange enough. l don't like
such well meaning men. And so
he loft the room A.
soon as he had gone, Henry
seized upon the newspaper, and
opened it with o feeling Of de-
light. It was the weekly Cincin-
natl Gazette, which he com
menced reading to his mother
and Ellen. About half an hour
: sk..-.-1a Dota,. ,.ofuruod He