Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1920-10-21
UNCLE HENRI
BY JACK LAYTON.

Beatrix and Dora were learning for
the first time what it meant TO be
strangers. They never had been
strangers in the home city where hos
pitable doors were opened in welcome
at their coming. This renting a tiny
cottage in Wellstown village was one
of Beatrix's ideas. Both girls were
studying ambitously for their future
! chosen careers.
1t was Beatrix who heard the re-
mark which first ranked and later
brought amusement. The two girls
wondered vaguely, after time of resi-
dence elapsed, why their village neigh
bors failed TO return their overtures
of friendliness.
81 was leaving the post Office" Bea-
trix said, land Miss Callie, the post
mistress, thought l was out of hear
ing.
Those queer girls in Barton's cot
tage were at the lawn fete last night
she told a caller, but l guess they
found out that Wellstown doesn't take
notice of strangers who belong to no
body"
Dora looked up from her French.
$50 we are strangers" she said.
"Shall we send for the mayor of our
city to present us, or settle down re-
signed in our ignored state?"
Il am going to astonish this exact
ing village with my commendable re-
lations," Beatrix precisely answered.
"adopt-say an uncle and aunt of re-
nown and send to them lovely init
mate post cards-via Miss Callie. Who
shall the receiver be? I'll add a line
to the effect that uncle need not re-
ply to my postal messages"
stop raving," Dora interrupted,
"I've thought out your man-your
uncle, l mean. AS we are not sisters
he can't be my uncle, too" Don't you
remember the name Henri Smith on
that big lumber factory over in Gas
ton? Some one said that Henri Smith
was a millionaire, owned most of the
town. Smiths a good universal name.
How would you like an Uncle Henri?"
Fine" agreed Beatrix.
Merrily she ran for some village
view cards, and with a giggling OBJ
server, inscribed her first postal.
Dear Uncle Henri" it read, Dora
and l are having a quiet time in Wells
town, hope to go over to see you soon.
Your loving niece -"
Beatrix hesitated.
Just sign Trix," Dora suggested.
mo one has ever called you Trix."
The card was not returned. Neither
was a second, which told Uncle Henri
how the girls had enjoyed his short
visit with them at "Rose Lodge" Love |
to Aunt Elna was added to this COM I
The girls congratulated |
over the naming of the |
aunt.
might be her family pet name,"
BeatriX said.
Miss Callie was certainly Interested
Moreover, certain heretofore distant
young Wellstown women smiled and
bowed to the strangers in passing.
The postals had done the work. A
niece of the great lumber manufac-
-urer was worth cultivating
Reckon" Miss Callie said sound
ngly, as she handed over a square
white envelope, that's an invitation
or you to the usual midsummer cele-
,ration at Green Acres, your Uncle
Henri Smiths place. We always read
n the paper of the famous garden
,arty he gives each year"
Of onoa
If an uncomfortably guilty feeling
The letter that Dora had merrily
nailed from CASTOR during her shop
ling trip of the day before, might
eem OppOrtune but the joke was go
ng a little too far. 1t was weighing
cavity on the girls conscience. She
7ished desperately that the prank had
ever started 1t must stop now and
nth some explanation. But what
ouad the honest explanation be? A
ian was waiting on the steps of Rose
odge when she returned, a younglsh
lndly-faced man with a quizzical
mile.
miss Fairfax" he inquired.
Beatrix wonderingIy nodded.
II am Henri Smith of Gaston," the
an appallingly announced. 81 have
,ceived several communications from
certain Miss 'Trix' of Wellstown. AS
spell my name Henri, to distinguish
from the other Henry Smiths, l
'uld not think the address mistaken. s
ct I have no niece. So upon driving r
rough your village today l asked U
,ur postmistress experimentally, IL b
e could direct me to the niece of a a
rtain Henri Smith. Directly she a
Mt me here. I'll confess" the man