Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 298, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1911 — Page 2

UNCLE THAD’S NURSE

“Uncle Tbad'B pretty bad.” said Be- " He’ll probably poll through with good care; and he’s going to get that now. with a trained nurse In the house,” replied Charlotte. Then the Misses Trimbell looked solemnly at each other across the table, and their heads wagged gravely to unison. “She's pretty young—and not bad looking.” said Selina. "Uncle Thad’s bound to be grateful," replied Charlotte. “Like's not it'll hap- “ You don't mean he’ll marry her?" “Didn’t you mean that yourself? It usually turns out that way in a case like this.” “But whatll become of usf” “I don't know.” The Misses Trimbell looked at each other and shook their heads again. Then Selina straightened her spare tom and raised her sharp chin. "Now see here, Charlotte; this isn't going to happen If I can help it! I'll Admit the possibility pf .the thing! Uncle Thad's a well preserved man, and he's got lots of money. We’re his nearest of kin. barring young Thad—and he's never heard of him sinoe their quarrel. We're Trimbells, anyway, and he was his sister's boy and a Velsor. And you know how he hates that stock. It Isn't likely he'd even speak to him again. If he met him.” “And It Isn't likely he'll ever meet him. He was too wild to come to any good. It's this strange woman I'm afraid of, now. She's got a determined look in her eyes.” “And she dresses too frivolous. 1 was struck when she got out at the door In that light suit and a hat loaded with feathers—and high heeled shoes! And she has put herself right in as if she was boss here and we were the servants, or nobody.*' "Trained nuraea always do that,” remarked Charlotte. "But there's something about her that looks like an—an adventuress!” “Goodness gracious, Charlotte!” “Yes, there's something mysterious, Selina. But we must circumvent her.” “We will,” agreed Selina solemnly. Unde Thad began to improve under the ministrations of his new nurse, {le had a strong constitution and he had always taken good care of himself. Miss Scott was a model member of her profession, light-footed and defthanded. with a gentle voice and a soothing, magnetic personality. But she could not help dimpling when she smiled, and the little chestnut curls would escape from her white cap in the most capridous way. Her plain dress showed the youthful curves of her figure, and her low laugh was delightfully musicaL Every time she looked at the' Misses Trimbell they shuddered. Such a sly significance in her look, and yet it was most fasdnating! If she looked like that at Unde Thad —well, he was only human, poor man! “Miss Scott.” said Selina, one day, “you've no idea how Illness has changed our poor unde He's so meek, so quiet; It doesn't seem possible he's the same man.” “He's a very good patient” Miss Scott's head nodded and the truant curls bobbed merrily. “Oh. but you should see him when he's well Patient Isn't the right word then. He's a perfect tyrant—and his rages would make you quail!” . “Indeedr “Yes.” Miss Selina’s voice sank to a deep whisper. ”1 never would say this, only I want you to understand If he begins to get disagreeable. It's almost impossible to live with him when he's himself. And he's that stingy! We have a hard time of it. Charlotte and L and if he wasn’t our unde —”

“But he Isn’t really your unde.” Selina flushed. “Did he tell you that? But we’re his cousins and we’ve always called him uncle because we're so much younger. He's much older than he looks.” “Why. he told me his age; fiftythree." “Oh. he’s sensitive about that. He always knocks off ten years more. And he’s always been vain of his accumulation of money; likes to have folks think him richer than he is. He - told us what he was worth when we came here, ’cause he made ft all over us; and. barring the house, which is a fine one. but heavily mortgaged, he has very little, very little. We were surprised, weren't we. Charlotte T’ “Yes, uncle's very queer.” replied Charlotte portentously. “Well, of course he never spoke or such things to me,” said-Miss Scott “Why. he’s likely to change his mind about us and pack us off at any moment.” Selina looked panic-strick-en as’ she spoke “There was his h nephew-—his sister’s only child —he brought him up, and promised to make him his heir. Fooled him. too. about his property, and then turned Idas out one day. without a dollar. We donx enow where the poor fellow la now—starving, maybe." “How terrible!” Miss Scott's blue eyes were wide open She looked very thoughtful as she arranged a bowl of broth and some crackers on a little uif, and went upstairs to the invalid. m “I guess jfUwf given her something to think about now.” Selina’s tones “Selina Trim bell!" said Charlotte. “1 didn’t know It was tn your

By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE

“Hubby, I’m going in for the simple life awhile.” “All right, my deer.” said hubby, as buiuached for his checkbook. “How many gowns will that require r

Miss Scott. was thinking seriously as she watched the Invalid while be finished the light repast. Mr. Thaddeus Trimbell was doing very well; but there was something about his case she had not understood. If she had been asked to express an opinion, she would have said that there was something oh her patient's mind. Yet he had never spoken of any secret sorrow, or given her a clew from which to draw conclusions. Unintentionally, that clew had been furnished now by Miss Selina!

The nurse took the tray away. She looked around the apartment with new interest, but there was no photograph there which mlgl# be "young Thad’s." Adroitly she led the man to talk of his early life Whether anger or shame kept him silent, be bad naught' to say of a nephew turned adrift Prom her new viewpoint however, Retta Bcott was sure that his mind was troubled If she could only discover the cause and help him! “Well, Mr. Trlmbell, you’ll soon be able to do without me." she said blithely, a few days later. The Invalid was sitting up, then, well wrapped and comfprtable in a reclining chair near the window.

“Are you going to leave me to the mercies of these two crotchety old maids down stairs? You're a hardhearted young woman." Miss Bcott laughed childishly. “Oh. if they could only hear you! But isn't there anyone else who could come here and be with you—? Any other relative?” The man’s face darkened as he turned his eyes to the open window. “No one. I wish there were. I like young people around me. I’m a spsy young fellow myself when I’m on my feet Miss Scott, I wish you could stay here. If it could be arranged—” “Oh, you know I must follow my profession. I’m going back to the hospital when I leave here. I left only £0 take this case, because my duties there had tired me out I needed the change. But I must go back.” “Hang it all! I suppose so. Miss Scott I’ve grown very fond of you. You’re the finest young woman I’ve ever met If I were a young man, I'd ask you to marry me." “Oh, Mr. Trimbell!" “I certainly would. But don't look scared —I'm not going to; although I’m only fifty-three, and I could settle a nice little fortune on you. But. if you would stay and—don’t you see, I want some bright young folks around. You could have all the friends you wanted. The house is like a graveyard! It's been so ever since—" “Since your nephew went away?" queried Retta softly. » Mr. Trimbell turned on her with a roar. “How did you know? Have I been talking in my sleep? I swore I'd never mention the young rascal's name again. How did you know anything about my nephew,, Thaddeus Velsor?" ‘ “Velsor! • Thaddeus —Velsor!" The other did not hear the whispered exclamation. He was fairly launched now into a recital of his troubles, and all his resentment, grief and chagrin were poured forth in swift eloquence, wl|h a forcible expletive now and thefc. which would seem to Justify the description of “raging tyrant” which Miss Selina had artfully drawn Meanwhile Betts's wits were rallying quickly; and as soon as she had a chance to speak, she made her point “Mr. Trimbell. you must not agitate yourself so. I know how you feel; but you are not quite right—your Nephew is a better man than you think, and a repentant one! I know. Young Mr. Velsor was my last patient in the hospital. I did not know he was your nephew; but I recall now, one night when he was very low, I asked nim if there was anything he wanted. *¥oß, I want my uncle’s forgiveness,* he said. Of course, 1 knew that there was a story back of that, but he never told me any more. And Thaddeus Velsor is your nephew!" The patient looked at the nurse sharply. “Nurse,” said he, “what are you blushing for? Oh. then you—your last patient—” “No, no, 1 have not even seen him. But I know where he ia I —1—promised to write to him, some day—and. when I had time, to —to—Oh. Mr. Trimbell!” Blushes were deep; dimples and curls were dancing. Dark blue eyes looked with shy mischief from between long, curling lashes. “Write now!" roared .the patient "And tell that young rascal to com* and see Uncle Thad and his nurse.” “Well, young Thad’s come back,” said Selina solemnly, twenty-four hours later. “And she knew him before. What do you make out of that. Charlotte?" “A wedding.” replied Charlotte, laconically. “I wonder how tt happened?” mused Selina. “I believe she schemed it out somehow—she's that artful." I r , l r ______

Prepared for It.

THOUGHTS FROM SOPHOCLES

A lie never lives to be old. No cath is too binding for a lover. Nobody loves life like an old man. The dice of Zens fall ever luckily. . Thoughts are mightier than strength of hand. War loves to seek its victims in the young. The truth is always the strongest argument. Fortune is not on the side of the faint-hearted. Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life. It is better not to live at all than to live disgraced. c ' Y-’. p.- » A short saying oft contains much wisdom. In a Jubt cause the weak o'ercome the strong. Think not that thy word and thine alone must be right Do nothing secretly, for time sees and hears all things and discloses all. Death is not the worst evil; bnt rather when we wish t to die gnd cannot < , vj If I am Sophocles, I am not mad; and if I am mad, I am not Sophocles. " ▲ wise player ought to accept his throws and score them, not bewail his luck. If it were possible to heal sorrow by weeping and to raise the dead with tears, gold were less prized than grief. * There is an ancient saying famous among men, that thou shouldst not judge fully of a man's life before he dieth, whether it should be called blest or wretched. »

CYNICISMS.

The egotist is always the other fellow. Few of us suffer from the monotony of happtofeßs. Many a good bluff has been called by a better one. Aeroplanes and lobsters are both likely to upset us. Loafing is really no fun unless you have a lot of work to do. When a man is generous to a fault It fb usually his own fault. It Isn’t so safe to judge by appearances as by disappearances. The charity that begins at home is often expended on ourselves.. Popularity merely consists of keeping our troubles to ourselves. The more a man intends to do tomorrow the less he does today. Some people seem to be so ultrarefined as to bcorn common sense. Conscience Is a still, small voice that tells a man when he is found out. s Many a woman with a fair complexion is unfair to most other ways. You sometimes hear of a woman who is speechless with indignation—in books. Those who have greatness thrust upon them are apt to grate on the rest of us. It takes a pretty mean man to keep the cigars you gave him, only to pass them back to you. A good thing will always bear repeating, unless it happens to be a vote.

EPIGRAMS OF EVE.

Women delight In remnants of any* thing but a man. The love line terminates at heaven or hell; It depends upon how for you go. A woman has two prerogatives—--changing her mind and changing the subject. Some women are like bankrupts, ready to go into the hands of the receiver. When a man tells you he understands women clear your throat and close one ere. If a woman la a rag, a bone and hank of hair, at least there are many willing ragpickers. * A man may take a plunge tn the pool of love, but he looks long la the well of matrimony. It’s so deep. If (he sins of the fathers are visited upon the children there most have been some gay old dads a few years M r

DYSPEPTIC PHILOSOPHY

Nobody ever learned anything from a man who “knew it all!" The remorse that fills the tear-jar * the evaporating kind! Destiny is curious to see how we behave when hangs us out to dry! There’s only an “e” between a feast and a fast—and the vowels are easy to learn! f , The trouble with some of us Is that we worry about flaws In our record that everybody else has forgotten! The self-kldder hates to acknowledge that “If he had it to do over again” he’d make Just about the same old hash of It! •v Some day the man who bears himself described as a “live wire” will not imagine that he has to talk everybody to death to prove it! The difference between the man who “takes a job” and the one who “accepts a position” is that tie former really wants.to work! We find, upon going over the 1910 census book, that there are now as many as eight towns of over 100,000 inhabitants In which we have not been broke!

NUGGETS.

Some courtships end in marriage and some in the courts. A silver lining in the pocket is Worth two in the clouds. Some men can take a drink and let it alone. Others take it alone. Many a man suffers from dyspepsia because he never tips the waiter. Many a fellow who is a light weight is really a heavy weight to his friends. Lots of people live in the same square who don't move in the same circle. Many a fellow who claims he never does things by halves will borrow a quarter. 0 Never strike a man when he is down, especially if you are going to strike him for a loan. We frequently Jiear of people who suffer untold agony, but no woman with a tongue in her head ever did.

LINE UPON LINE.

The growler is not wanted anywhere. True piety never does any bragging on itself. Trouble always runs to meet thd man who goes out to hunt it. —s» Love never has to be watched to see that it does a full day’s' work. The man who wins heaven is the one who is not afraid of losing this world. The man who thinks only of himself looks at the rights of others through the wrong end of a telescope. A great deal of preaching is being done in which no effort whatever is made to put the devil out of business. Many a church member would be almost scared to death if he could only feel his own spiritual pulse, and find out how near dead he is.—Ram’s Horn.

POTATO HILL PHILOSOPHY.

It Is as easy to be unfair as it Is Important that you should not be. A lie about an enemy is a lie as surely as a lie about a friend, but many people don’t think so. When a young man studies law that isn't the worst of It; the worst of it Is the country not only gets another lawyer, but another politician. Some men drift and drift, and if they miss thier port drift Into a better one. It isn’t that way with me; if I miss my port I go on the rocks. I never had a dollar that was worth, more than 80 or 90 cents. People do not seem to venerate freedom as-much as they formerly did. Several states have prohibited the sale and manufacture of llouor, that weak men may not be free to make fools of themselves. And occasionally a bold man asks why some of the other habits of fools jus not prohibited.—E. W. Howe's Monthly. 1

CAN YOU GUESS?

Which Is the largest room in the world? Room for improvement Why are the laws like the ocean? Most trouble Is caused by the breakers. When Is It easy to read In the woods? When Dame Autumn tarns the leaves. Why Is a little dog’s tall like the heart of a tree? Because it’s farthest from the bark.

Good Jokes

Hl3 BIT OF EMPIRE. It Is a well known fact that some Englishmen are more inclined to talk about the Empire’s fringe, of which they are ignorant, rather than about its heart, which they possibly know something of. A housewife whose husband was addicted this way turned his thoughts into more homely channels by her ready wit. One Saturday evening he came home late smelling strongly of tobacco, and very red in the face. “Ob.” he said. “I’ve had a fine time. I’ve been to an .Empire meeting. It was grand?* " Then he frowned and said, impatiently:—’ “What’s the matter With supper? Ain’t it ready yet?” His wife, who was peeling potatoes and bolding a squalling boy, rose and extended the baby to him. rf"Here,"she said; “take hold of your bit of the Empire while I fry these chips.”

How It Is Done. “Rollo,” said the eminent statesman. speaking / rather severely to his private secretary. “Rollo, it has been rather more than a week now since 1 have said something really brilliant Are you aware of that?” “Y-y-yessir." stammered the hireling. “I'll give you three days more.” continued the statesman, assuming bis well-known attitude in which the right hand is thrust into the front of the shirt, as though to bring forth an important document or to scratch a hidden chigger bite —” and if 1 haven’t uttered something exceedingly intellectual or startihgly new by that time, I shall have to employ a new press agent.”

GOOD IMAGINATION.

“Vain Dauber claims to be highly Imaginative and also a thinker." “Er—yea—he imagines he thinks and thinks he imagines.”

Even Then.

The wise men never speak dU they Have something well worth while to say. And. feeing wise and thoughtful men. They ear but Uttle even then.

The Puff Personal.

“You are evidently very fond of books, sir,” said an old gentleman to a young man In a train car. “May 1 ask you whom you consider the best novelist of the day?” “Jenkins, undoubtedly.” said the young man. “There's nobody can write like Jenkins. Why, sir, the dr culating libraries can’t supply his novels fast enough." At this moment another man entered the train car and addressed the young man. * “Hello. Jenkins." he said. “How are you today?’’—Tit-Bit*.

Unworthy of His Love.

“George TlUson and Mamie Sprague are engaged.” “For goodness sake! 1 always thought he had good taste.” “Well. Mamie isn’t a bad looking girl” “But look at the style of her. She doesn’t hide her ears by combing her hair over them.”

Try It.

“Mary,” said a mother to her quicktempered little girl, “you must not get mad and say naughty things. You should always give a soft answer.” When her little brother provoked her an hour afterward Mary clinched her little fist and said: “Mush!”—The Watchword.

He Knew the Game.

“Now, Archie,” asked the schoolmistress. dilating on the virtue of politeness, “if you were seated in a tram car. every seat of which was occupied, and a lady entered, what would you do?" "Pretend I was asleep," was >h t prompt reply.—Tit-Bits.

A Sure Sign.

-That woman pretends to move Ju the most aristocratic social drclea. but 1 have found out one fact which strongly Intimates she does nothing at the sort." “What is Itr "She pays an her Mils.”

Unreasonable.

DM yo«r Mead have a good time 00 his hunting trip?" "No; didn't ampy, himself at ML The guides got peevish sheet Ms shooting 00 many of these for gams-"

Not Consoling. One of the boys had brqken one of the school rules'and no one would own up. . •. •' The-teacher announced that he would thrash the whole class If some one did not tell him who had committed the offense. All were silent, and he began with the first boy. and thrashed every one in the class until finally he reached the last one. Then he said: “Now, if yon will tell me who did this 1 won’t thrash yon.” "Ail right, sir. I did It,” was the reply.—ldeas.

WHY A BACHELOR.

Hlnten—l’ve a mind to get married. Henpeck—if you had a mind you. wouldn’t think of such a thing

Sweet Melody.

’Tls sweet, indeed, to hear the hen Lift up her voice a- peg; For now when cost of living’s high It -means another egg.

His Economy.

The children in the Blank family were taught habits of neatness at the table by being compelled to pay a fine of one cent for every spot they put on the tablecloth. One day Harold, a boy of seven years, was discovered rubbing the overhanging part of the cloth between his fingers, and. when taken to task for it, he said: “Why, I wust Just trying to rub two spots into one.” —Woman’s Horn* Compaion.

Not So Very Romantic.

“Olorlana,” faltered the ardent youth, “is this the end?” “Reginald," she answered, with a world of compassion in her soft brown eyeß, t “it la!*’ Weary of the strain of holding the skein of flossy yarn which the maiden had been winding Into a ball, Reginald dropped his exhausted arms to bin sides and drew a long breath of relief.

The Reason.

-Though actors are superstitious as a rule, they are not afraid of being In haunted houses." “They are not?" “No; you can’t scare an actor by putting him any place where the ghost walks.”

Took Precautions.

Mrs. Brown —I’m thinking of giving up using fresh milk. I read an article in the paper saying all kinds of Infection can be got from it” Milkman —Don’t worry, madam; our water Is always well boiled first—.; London Bketch.

Classifying Himself.

Eve (on seeing him for the first time) —Who are you, sir? Adam—l’m Exhibit A. madam

THREE OR FOUR.

“1 notice that you call your wife •Sugar.’” “I’ve always called my wives 'Sugar.'* “Umpl How many lumps have you: bad?"

Looking Forward.

-‘There’ll be no prunes In heave*" A boarder softly sighs. Who dreams of sins forgiven And a mansion in the skies. '*

A Good Suggestion.

The horse editor was substitutlaM for the “Answers to Correspondent** editor. “How’ll I answer this?" he domended. Dirt wants to know how, Tell her to send you s sample efi •Of ■ mmmmm - ~ -•