The Parker post., 1916-02-05

the conversation mad changed. RE
could not very well explain to his
friend that grinding poverty had not
admitted of his buying decent suit
or clothes for over two years, and
the old ones were not presentabie for
social function.
why, yes" he hastened to say, aris-
ing and taking up the lamp and IL
Eliminating the obscure corner of the
room. It's uncle's old uniform
stuffed"
II 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
81 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, l 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
mere go over that splendidly thrilling
story of how he saved the day at Pea
Ridge. I say, Jed, I'll come Saturday
evening, and I'll bring Nettie. You
know your uncle always made a pet
Of her"
Jed fluttered like a timid school
child. To see Nettie again-to have
her under the same roof! How he
polished up the old tinware the next
day! How he planned a meal out of
the ordinary for those cherished
guests, and when his uncle arrived the
old fellow was wild with delight to
give his favorite glad reception.
Frank Wilder was a mining engi-
neer in the city and an agreeable
and instructive talker. Both Ned and
his uncle were arrayed in their best
and the house spicka and span when,
Saturday afternoon, Nettie and her
brother drove up from their home,
five miles distant.
Nettie was ardent in her praises of
the orderliness and system Of this
typical bachelors hall. She insisted
on helping Jed prepare the meal. 1t
was the happiest moment of his life,
to view her dainty figure fitting about
the kitchen, keeping up string of
pretty talk all charming nothingness
but the sweetest OF music to his eager
ears.
1t was after supper that Uncle Alb
ner, in fine spirits, was induced to re.
cite the Pea Ridge incident. In his
excitement he used an old saber to
illustrate an onslaught on the enemy.
Alas! as an accidental swoop and dip
came, the steel blade swept across the
knees of the sand-padded uniform. A
black flood poured forth. All hands
laughed at the ludicrous incident.
'fWhy, where did you get this stuff? ?'
suddenly inquired Franz, who had cas-
ually picked up a handful Of the sand.
"The hill is full of it," explained Jed
oOi L IL i!Cn PytltS5, lSIl IL
"Pyrites!" shouted Frank, quite ex-
cited. why, it's tungsten, good quail.
ity, focused for hardening steel and
worth fifty cents a unit"
What's a unit?" propounded Uncle
Abner,
Twenty pounds"
why, we've got tons of it,"
Then you're rich!" declared Frank.
I'm chemist enough to know the value
OF this stuff
His opinion was correct and within
a week brought results. A steel COM
pany bought the old place for big
sum and Uncle Abner did not have to
go back to the Soldiers home.
They built a new house and Frank
was welcome visitor, and Nettie,
too. And finally, in the course of
time Nettie came to the home to stay
and help Jed do the cooking for the
rest OF his life.
Copyright, 1915, by w. G. Chapman.)