Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1911-05-02
UNCLE BEN,
ADVISER ,

their confidence were very much wor-
'ried about the 20-year-old daughter
Lena. She had been keeping com
pany with. and was at last engaged to
VIII Armstrong. Mr.. Henderson had
not put his foot down in time. He
was q merchant and the idea that his
dangnter should take up with" a
clerk In another store and working
on salary OF $40 per week. sngered
and Inundated him.
Things were at skies and seyens
when Uncle Ben arrived. He was sew.
enty years old and worth a thousand
dollars for every year OF his age. Ev-
eryone looked up to Uncle Ben. He
was great hand TO advise. He made
specially OF advising whenever Cd
portunity offered. II man had a
COW which only gave I've quarts Of
MIX per day Uncle Ben would ad-
wise him that It was just as easy to
have one which gave double the
amount He advised his neighbors
how to live in peace and unity-younx
men what sort OF girls to pick out
girls what sort Of fellows, and he
lived his life knowing that the great
world would sadly miss him when his
time came to go.
The old gentleman didn't wait two
days before tacklhg his Job. He
didn't go to see the young man. as he
might have done. All young men
were alike. He first led of on the
duty Of children to their parents.
They must obey. What did a girl OF
twenty, who had never churned or
made soft soap, know Of human char
acter? Right in his youthful breast
Will Armstrong might have the seeds
OF murder and piracy. After marriage
they would grow and thrive like lot
OF burdocks, and 1t would eventually
be the gallows for him. Yes, the gal
lows, and the wife would stand at
the foot Of It with streaming eyes and
wish she had never been born. Then
the good Uncle Ben took up the com.
mercial side Of the case. Let It go
that they loved Admit. for the sake
OF argument that no murderous seeds
were waiting to blossom in Williams
breast. He was getting salary OF
$40 week-only $40. How far would
that go towards making a home? Il
was easy to figure. So much house
rent-so much sugar, coffee, tea, -four
and butter. There might be 80 cents
a week over, but that would have to
go for rheumatic linlments and corn
cures.
After talk lasting for hours, In
which the girl had very little to say,
Uncle Ben patted her on the shoulder
and observed:
Il am glad you see things my way,
dear. You are going to drop this
young man and De sensible
But l am not" she replied. I'm
less no dies or backs out we shall
be married"
Then you cant think know
muoh."
Not about girls. When they love
and wed they are willing to do with
very little tea and coffee. Will and |
shall get along. You are a dear old |
uncle, but when It comes to choosing |
a husband let girl alone"
Look here. Lena" replied the old |
man after some thought, you are my
favorite niece. don't want to see
you go to the poorhouse. nor weeping
at the foot Of the gallows. Send this
young man about his business. II you
will do this I'll agree to put $4,000 in
the bank for you against a marriage
with somebody in your station"
Not for sale. Unole Benz"
Uncle Ben had no more to say to
her. She refused to follow his advice
and was therefore to be considered a
lost soul. His advice to the parents
was:
Say no more. Let her make her
bed and lie in It,"
And his anger and outraged dignity
would not permit him to say more at
the time. II was known to the fam
ly three days later. however, that he
to hunt up the homeliest
girl In the county and make her
present OF the money he had offered
% his niece.
Ten days passed. and then the
Mrs. Henderson announced
hat Lena was not In her room. She
lad not gone to bed for the night.
She had fed by way Of the window
md the roof Of the woodshed. That
he and VIII Armstrong had eloped
here was little doubt. i
On the fifth day Uncle Ben took a
troll around the village and stepped
nto a grocery 10 get two cents worth
4 bark cinnamon 70 chew on. He
vas waited upon by q smArt-looking
Dung man. He asked questions and
hey were answered so courtsously
nd intslhssndy and the young man
eemsd so very much alive TO thankn
hat the adviser pattsd him on the
honldsr and said:
Young maA yop are lust What I
Ias at your sss. and an now awort6
yer $4,000. Keep rlshf ca" l.
"Un6e Ban. this 70 mx/ hssba
l. xyuI r.a ~ ron. .alH .