Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-06-24
STINGY UNCLE GRAVES
By ELIZABETH scHoEN COBB.
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81 hope he enjoyed hts stay with
u.s." murmured Myra.
Said he'd had the best time in his
life," declared Elwyn. "Why. Myra.
you've been crying!" and he stared
dolorously into her eyes.
IL peeled some onions she lame
ly explained.
"Yes, hours ago, for dinner. See
here, Myra. my uncle"
"Our uncle" corrected Myra.
"Well, l am afraid you are sort OF
disappointed"
"Why should I be, DEAR"
ITO be plain, Myra. l think you have
reason to be. Uncle Graves Is odd
and all that, and am no beggar, but
he must have seen that with my be-
Ing out of work we are pretty we'll
pinched. You have had to turn all
kinds of hard corners to make things
appear comfortable. He might have
given you some kind Of little pres
ent. Frankly, l expected 1t, and
don't want you to think my relatives
are mean and Stlngy.
Uncle Graves!" exclaimed Myra.
"Oh, no, dear. really enjoyed his
company. will say truthfully that
hoped he would help you along trifie
until you got work again. But maybe
he has troubles and is hiding them
just like ourselves"
well, maybe" assented Elwyn du'
biously, but always thought that he
had plenty Of means"
"He must lead lonely life," went
on Myra sympathizingly. "Then. too,
he has been 80 disappointed in that
nephew of his, Bruce Wayne, who has
gone to the bad utterly, they say"
II am very glad you take 1t that
way" said Elwyn. II was caring only
for your disappointment"
"I am the happiest woman in the
world with you by my side!" declared
Myra brightly. Now then. to get
down to practical everyday life, sir!
Put on an apron and help me get
the table cloths and napkins we Dor.
rowed from mother ready to do up"
"U-um!" observed Elwyn, glancing
in at the pantry. mot much left to
20 on, eh, dear? Sugar-pretty low.
Flour-why, there isn't more than two
bakings left" and Elwyn snapped open
and then snapped shut the -four box
near the open window.
well, by the time two bakings are
over and done with you may be back
at work and all kinds Of good fortune
come to u.s." chirped Myra hopefully
Come, sir to work with your down
trodden, abused helpmeet! You dear.
est. dearest darling!" and Myra gave
him a kiss that echoed through the
house, and both pitched into the work
before them as II 1t was jovial fun.
Crouched under an open side win
dow, wide awake and safely sheltered,
Sammy Jones listened intently to all
that had been spoken within the house.
Now he darted away. He made for
the railroad depot. There, his train
gone, and half hiding in shadoWed
corner, was artful Uncle Graves.
Well" he challenged. did you earn
that dollar?"
"I've tried to-" answered Sammy
and proceeded to detail all that he had
overheard at the cottage.
Uncle Graves chuckled serenely.
Then he took a package from his
pocket. For two minutes there was
low.whispered conversation between
the precious twain.
"I think I will make some hot bis
cults for supper" announced Myra at
the cottage an hour later. There's
some Of the honey left and 1t will
taste good. Mercy!"
Myra uttered sharp scream, Elwyn
rushed into the pantry to find her
staring down into the -four box.
There lay a package. 1t bore the in
scription: For my dear niece, Myra."
She trembling with excitement, Ell
wyn half guessing and eager as he
opened 1t, the eyes of both dilated to
their widest.
There were ten crisp new twenty
dollar bills and note. 1t was signed
Uncle Graves. and 1t ran:
"This will be placed by an emissary
where you will be sure to find 1t. That
emissary Is hired to report to me how
you regard stingy old Uncle Graves
after leave"
Grand old Uncle Graves!" voted
Elwyn gratefully. HE stopped over
train to carry out this little plot. The
second train has gone, or I'd run after
him to tell him what happiness he has
bestowed upon u.s."
The cycle of good luck once started.
things seem to move all one way. AT
least Elwyn and Myra found this to
be true. Elwyn got work the next
day. The little nest egg left In the
-four box became the sure start OF
promising bank account.
To add to all the right royal fortune
that had come to them, in about a
month Uucle Graves made them fly
ing visit.
II am on a trip to get that graceless
nephew of mine out Of trouble again."
He e4pidiucu. thluh VIII ShOSn nAS
mad career this time, though"
Elwyn looked inqufsitive and Myra
interested.
II shall tell him that at the end OF
each year live he will get thousand
dollars provided he has behaved him
self That will make it to his interest
to help prolong my life, see? II l die
he gets nothing. I've made new will
leaving what have to"
There was merry twinkle In the
eyes of Uncle Graves.
"Oh, yes" he continued, here are
the names-to Elwyn and Myra
Gaines"
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