Arizona republican., 1922-03-26
Being Good to Uncle Henry
THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY STORY
A COMPLETE NOVELETTE,

him the east room. with it's fine out
look. She baked cake and bread and
roasted chicken. Then she went to
the phone and called up Lofty.
"Why, Bess!" Lofty gave back.
You don't mean you're willing to
take father and keep him for two
weeks?"
Certainly, If he'll come. I shall
esteem 1t a privilege and pleasure"
Bessie replied with her most tiptop
tone. Then she added anxiously
There's no doubt about his coming?'
"Oh. mol He'll be delighted. I'll
get him ready and send him over as
soon as Tom comes home to drive
the car. I'm too nervous to drive
myself"
1t was a little past 6 when Bessie
saw the car spin into view. Uncle
Henry carried a trim bag and after
he and Tom had exchanged genial
farewells he mounted the steps TO
where Bessie stood waiting with out
stretched hands.
"Well, how are you, girl?" he said,
as he kissed her.
She led him in, proudly. Indeed,
Uncle Henry was figure one might
well be proud of. He was tall, erect,
and of an imposing, soldierly bearing.
His white hair was like silver, bis
dress immaculate, and his steely eyes
clear. A smile dwelt upon his hand
some old face. Uncle Henry was so,
but looked barely 65.
Bessie helped him off with his
oyercoat and led him to the fire.
When Jerome came he found Uncle
Henry ensconced in his favorite chair,
enjoying everything. They had a de-
lghtful evening. Uncle Henry talked
constantly. He gave them full
resume of the civil war and OF his lie
since. Bessie enjoyed 1t. She was
indignant when toward 8 Jerome TOOK
his evening paper into the snuggery
and closed the door
isn't he the dearest old thingg"
Bessie said to her husband, after she
I~5 made Uncle Henry at home In
the east room. I'm sure / don't see
why Lofty should find a bit OF fault
with him."
Next morning Bessie called Uncle
Henry three times before he came
down to breakfast. Jerome had leIt
the house, and everything was get
ting cold. Uncle Henry was altogether
different from what he had beep the
night before. He looked ehriveled,
yellow, dull. Until he had his second
cup OF coffee he showed not the least
spark Of animation.
What do you call this?" he asked,
poking the dish of cereal.
That's prepared oats. Uncle Hen
ry. Jerome's very fond Of them"
Bessie said
II guess I'll take bread and but
ter" said Uncle Henry.
Bessie got to the phone as soon as
she could and called up Lofty.
Uncle Henry isn't well,'' she said.
'I'm really alarmed"
Lofty laughed He's always that
way in the morning" she said.
Uncle Henry spent the morning by
the fireplace in a doze. He came to
long enough to eat his lunch he
waived the salmon salad with the
short remark that he never ate the
stuff. He appropriated two salt pox-
es and used them necessarily.
Bessie started aghast at the saline
whiteness of his food. DO you think
so much salt is good for your" she
asked.
I've got TO have some taste to my
yictuals." replied Uncle Henry.
Uncle Henry slept again after
lunch. waking with a start at inter
walls and peering forth with beWild-
cred eyes at his unfamiliar surround
ings. Twice he called Bessie Lofty.
In vain she brought him papers and
books and played the newest records.
After he had listened wonderingly TO
Caruso, he growled that he liked mu-
sic. not believing, and asked Tor
Pop Goes the Weasel"
Bessie had asked a pair OF neigh
bors in to meet Uncle Henry at dim
ner and had made quite a spread.