The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-07-20
UNCLE BEN,
ADVISER

Ae-e-e.e-e-..-..s..- .....-..-.-.-.-s-s-~.lI
The father, mother and as many Of
the neighbors az had been taken into
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 a merchant and the idea that his
daughter should take up with"
clerk in another store and working
on . salary OF $40 per week. angered
and Inundated him.
Things were at skies and sevens
whsn Uncle Ben arrived. He was sew
enty years old and worth a thousand /
dollars for every year Of his age. Ev' |
sSyone looked up to Uncle Ben. He |
was . great hand to advise He made
. speciality Of advising whenever op.
portunity offered. II man had
COW which only gave Ave quarts OF
milk 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 neighborf
how to live in peace and unity--young
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 CO.
The old gentleman didn't wait two
days before tackling his job. He
didn't 60 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 It would eventually
be the gallows for him. Yes. the gal.
lows, and the wife would stand at
the foot of II 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 10 blossom in Williams
breast. He was getting salary Of
I, $40 a week-only $40 How far would
: that go towards making a home? It
!. was easy to figure. So much house
I rent-so much sugar, coffee, tea, -four
3 and butter There might be 80 cents
r week over, but that would have to
e go for rheumatic liniments and corn
= cures.
g After a talk lasting for hours, In
e which the girl had very little to say
r Uncle Ben patted her on the shoulder
n and observed:
!. II am glad you see things my way
dear. You are going to drop this
young man and be sensible"
o But | am not" she replied. "Un
), less ne dies or backs out we shall
be married"
n Then you cant think know
!. much"
T. mot about girls. When they Low,
l. and wed they are willing to do with
l. very little tea and coffee VIII and
II shall get along. You are dear ole
o uncle, but when it comes to choosing
husband let girl alone.
n Look here, Lena" replied the ole
h man after some thought, you are IN.
y favorite niece. don't want to Sc,
a. you go to the poorhouse, nor weeping
IT at the foot OF the gallows. Send thi
70 young man about his business. II you
'r will do this I'll agree to put $4,000 IL
r the bank for you against a marriage
q with somebody In your station"
% Not for sale. Uncle Benz"
1t Uncle Ben had no more to say I,
e her. She refused to follow his advic
y. and was therefore to be considered
It lost soul. His advice 10 the parent
d was:
L. Say no more. Let her make he
81 bed and lie In It."
a And his anger and outraged dignit
,t would not permit him to say more a
a. the time. 1t was known to the fam
Id lily three days later, however. that h
r. proposed TO hunt up the homeless
n. girl in the county and make her
"a present of the money he had offere
lie TO his niece,
II Ten days passed, and then tn
IN weeping Mrs. Henderson announce
10 that Lena was not in her room. Sh
had not gone 10 bed for the nigh
She had fed by way OF the windo'
and the roof OF the woodshed. Ths
she and Will Armstrong had elope
there was little doubt.
On the Attn day Uncle Ben took
stroll around the village and steppe
IN into a grocery TO get two cents wort
OF bark cinnamon to chew on. II