THE UNWELCOME VISITOR

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 255, 27 October 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE UNWELCOME VISITOR

(By Alva Graham, Helensville)

Uncle Jonathan was coming to visit them, probably he would stay three weeks. At the announcement David and Donald, the eleven-year-old twins, groaned and looks of dismay passed over their roguish features. "Well, of all the—!" began Donald.

'Tuck, ours is the worst," finished his brother in a dismal .oice. For well did they know their uncle. He was the sourest, grumpiest bit of humanity that evei walked on two feet. His cantankerous ways had earned him the picturesque nickname of "Ikey Croaspatch." "Now you boys," 6aid Mr. Gray sternly. "When he con.es you shall behave yourselves or—!" Le paused threatingly. "He can't help being a little grousy, sometimes." "Poor dear," murmured David.

Mr. Leakly, their uncle, had stayed with them a month last summer, one month too long, for he mnU the house unendurable with his groans and his growls. When he had at last departed it was glorious, heavenly, and now he was coming again—what luck. Uncle Jonathan duly arrived, complete with two suitcases, a portmanteau and an armful of books. (The latter to read if he happened to get lonely.) From the very moment he set his big foot on the doorstep it was clearly evident that there would be trouble, plenty of it. There was, too. It began as soon as he caught sight of Donald. "Here, you might have come to the station and given your brother a hand with my luggage," he said quickly. Donald did his best to hide his indignation. "Sorry, uncle, but I had some work to finish."

"Work," snorted his uncle, "you don't know what work is. Why, when I was your age—!" and he proceeded to tell of the countless things he had done.

After bearing insults and the like toone long week, the twins finally flrrHii that Uncle Jonathan Leaktr » "sling his hook," as they pntit««i hurriedly at that. Their next mora «w to think of a way, fair or fonL to nb of him. Having thought of one, ao tin* was lost in beginning. Next that unfortunate relative breakfast table with a disturbed look on his face. "George," he fa ltf Gray, "about midnight last I heart peculiar noises under my bed, do yon possess a cat or dog?" "What sort of noises," inquired He, Gray curiously. "Well, strange nobei* and then crossly, "I ccme here eut> ing to get some peae»." David at Donald exchanged something Oat !•» sembled a wink. The next mamag S was the same, strange noises had ben heard again, this time at the wiadov. Father said nothing, but gave hii warn a keen look. All that day David tad Donald held long consu Nations and they seemed to be eager for ths darkness to gather. About four hcurs later they were rudely wakened from their clumbers ty a piercing yell. "It has acted," said Donald softly. "We had better p and see." They found Mr. Leakly standing on his dressing table, pyjamas half off and a look of fear in his ere*. 'What is it?" innocently asked DmL Their uncle explained for K "There's something in my bed, it 111 climbing up my leg, ugh!" and he shaiJpred -iolently. Bravely David seanM the bedclothes and brought to view a large, blaik rat. 'Why," he raid. Tner being afraid of Buzzy, our pet, he mat have escaped from his cage." Cndi Jonathan screamed for all the worii like a frightened child. "That settles it, to-morrow I go. do you hear." Very softly David whispered, TBnrrav."

What happened afterwards is flf M consequence, for after all what did it matter even if they did get a "whoojw" of a hiding from their father? Fir, tl David said, "it was worth it*