Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-09-14
Betty and Uncle
John

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


b
won't have 1t, sayi When Tn ready
to lei Harold get married I'll let him
4 know Now, It's no use talking to
me Don't let me hear another word
{ upon the subject!'' e-..-s~---
/ Uncle John was in one of his RACES,
and his sister, Letitia, who had In
terceded on behalf Of Harold, her son,
withdrew tinidly from the scene. For,
apart from her own Qualms and terror
Of her brother when he was in one of
his RACES, the doctor had privately
warned her. that If his anger were
allowed to rage unchecked apOplexy
might supervene.
1 Uncle John was an elderly member
Of numerous family, and the only
unmarried one. Having succeeded in
life, he was called upon to bear q
good many financial burdens on behalf
OF the weaker vessels, which, to his
credit 1t must be said, he did quite
cheerfully. And Letitla's son, Harold,
was his favorite nephew.
J He had sent Harold, quiet, unas-
Stunning fellow. through college. He
was really very fond of him. But
Uncle John was an autocrat, and
when he took an idea into his head
nothing could get 1t out again.
! And his RACES were terrible, ele-
mental, volcanic, soul-withering. No
one on earth dared stand up against
Uncle John when he let himself CO.
/ which YVES not infrequently.
4 His autocratic ways had been grow.
| ing on him of late. Lefty, the next
eldest, could remember the time when
Uncle John had been quiet, rather
tfmid boy, bossed by herself and the
rest. How strangely he b.d devel-
Qped!
Harold wanted to marry Betty
Prlngle, very nice girl who was en-
tployed In the same Office with him.
There was nothing whatever against
the match, except that Uncle John
| had put bis foot down and sworn he
would not permit it.
TITS $3.50 hard, my dear" said
| Lefty to her sister Barbara. He's
just taken this notion into his head,
and of course-well, you know John.
And If Harold and Betty marry, he'll
cut him off without penny. Besides,
Harold can't do that Immediately, at
any rate without letting Uncle John
see he's determined. After all, he does
owe John good deal J"
Betty was for defying the old ty-
rant Il don't see why you should
care, darling" she said to Harold. 1T
isn't reasonable"
"That's what told him." answered
Harold "Ard it came to the point
where had either to fight him or get
out. So I-got."
! - Sim going to see him. Betty an
nounced; and she stuck to her guns,
despite the appeals OF the relations
that 1t would only precipitate trouble.
The only chance, they said, was to
| wait until Uncle John came round.
Once in great while he did come
! round-if he weren't pressed too hard.
Betty, who had not the traditional
! terror of Uncle John, took her own
I IIAC "a ttNlltA. II was uO ulluNulLy
! In obtaining admission to Uncle Johns
! house, and the moment she entered
his library Betty could see that he
was spelling for y fight.
$50 you're the whelp of a child that
wants to marry my nephew" Uncle
: John Sneered AFTER my money,
suppose" He thumped his great fist
on the desk. Listen to me! The
dry my nephew Elarries you / cut him
off-for ever. Get me?"
Nov, you listen to me-" Betty be-
] gan.
But Uncle John was already pur-
| pie. Il west listen," he raved. Get
| ont of here! You scheming, worth
1 less, imPatlcnt hussy, YOU"
"0h, ron wretched, mean, vicious
! old mani. cried Betty. The tears
| rushed to her eyes, she caught up
| paper-wclgtt upon the table, and
hurled II at Uncle Johns head, break
ing the lamp globe, four feet away.
Uncle John sat down. and the next
/ moment Betty was standing over him,
| breathing defiance and maledictions,
| till Uncle John sputtered:
"Ston! Stop! Lemme speak!'
81 don't want to hear word from
you, you"
"Its all right. God bless you both
| and"
Betty stopped, mute with astonish-
ment. And now Uncle John was on
his feet and wringing her hands
| Warmly, and beaming = positively
! beaming.
"You've got spirit girl, more than
that miserable Haroti. Listen to me.
/ Tn going to post you. 1t was all
falie-understand? I'm the mildest
man that ever jumped when the
mouse-trap clicked"
Really" asked Betty incredu-
lousy.
eldest child Of large family-put
upon in youth--tyrannica old father
contenlptuous sisters-had to assert
myself so kind they'd have eaten me