The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-01

the conversation had changed. He
could not very we'll explain to his
friend that grinding poverty had not
admitted of his buying decent suit
OF clothes for ovel two years. and
the old ones were not presentabie for
"a social function.
why, yes,'' ne FASTENED to say, aris-
/ ing and taxing up the lamp and IL
! Eliminating the obscure corner OF the
room. Its uncle's old Uniform
stuffed"
u declared" remarked Frank in
genuine admiration. 1T looks fine
Talk about old armor-here's the real
thing-something timely and natural,
With that old gun and the flag spread
above the uniform, one mighty fancy
old Uncle Abner was about to spring
out in the full glory of the battle
field"
Il thought it might please him.
said Jed Il stuffed the coat with
straw and the rest of it with sand.
I'm proud of Uncle Abner. can tell
you, Frank" continued Jed.
who wouldn't be-" replied Frank.
II hope he'll make his visit while I'm
here"
"Oh, yes, he is due to arrive day
after tomorrow" declared Jed.
I'D just love to have him once
more go over that splendidly thrilling
, story of how he saved the day at Pea
, Ridge. say, Jed, I'll come Saturday
, ! evening, and I'll bring Nettie. You
!, know your uncle always made pei
: ! of her."
a. Jed fiuttered like a timid schoo
: child. To see Nettie again--to have
her under the same roof! How HI
!, polished up the old tinware the mex
day! How he planned meal out o
!, the ordinary for those cherished
= guests, and when his uncle arrived tn,
. old fellow was wild with delight t,
u give his favorite a glad reception.
y Frank Wilder was mining eng
, neer in the city and an agreeabl
:. and instructive talker. Both Ned an
= his uncle were arrayed in their bes
y and the house spick and span wher
- Saturday afternoon, Nettie and he
brother drove up from their home
five miles distant
Nettie was ardent in her praises {
the orderliness and system of thi
typical bachelors hall. She insiste
on helping Jed prepare the meal.
|, was the happiest moment of his lif
D to view her dainty figure lifting abol
H the kitchen, keeping up string I
III pretty talk, all charming nothingnes
III but the sweetest of music to his eag'
HI ears.
HI 1t was after supper that Uncle A
Nj ner, in fine spirits, was induced to r
l cite the Pea Ridge incident. In h
AZ excitement he used an old saber
81 illustrate an onslaught on the enem
I'll Alas! as an accidental swoop and d
= came, the steel blade swept across Il
? knees of the sand-padded uniform.
- black flood poured forth. All han
laughed at the ludicrous incident.
= "Why. where did you get this stuff
= suddenly inquired Frank, who had CT
ually picked up handful of the sal
"The hill is full of it" explained j
"Sort of iron pyrites. isn't it,"
GyTlJeS. SHUulcu FIdHh, quitC
cited. why, it's tungsten good gu
ity, focused for hardening steel a
worth fifty cents a unit
What's a unit" propounded I'm
Abner.
ish Twenty pounds"
SUP why, we've got tons Of it,"
~ "Then you're rich!" declared Fra
ioa- I'm chemist enough to know the va
.ho of this stuff
Ia His opinion was correct and wit
week brought results. steel CT
H. pany bought the old place for
sum and Uncle Abner did not have
"a go back to the Soldiers home.
was They built a new house and FRI
was welcome visitor, and Net
obt too. And finally, in the course
En-, time Nettie came to the home to 6
~ and help Jed do the cooking for
+,yo rest of his life.
With Copyright. 1915. by w. G. Chapman