Uncle Bens Experiment.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2090, 31 January 1896, Page 3

Uncle Bens Experiment.

It is strange what different estimates people will put on a man's character, according to the eyes with which they may view him. In the opinion of some Mr Benjamin Benedict was a gentles- - a scholar, and a philanthropist ; while others, quite as well qualified to decide, wondered that such a monster was allowed to walk the earth unchallenged.

For old Ben Benedict was just the sort of man to provoke and please in alternations—a human March day,with streaks of sunshine and chilling gusts sandwiched through his nature. "You will be sure to like my uncle, darling," said Hugh Benedict to his young wife. "He is eccentric, but he is sterling."

Rachel di-d not answer, but her blue eyes were wistful and full of perplexity. Uncle Ben, whom she had never seen, but of whom she had heard much, was to her an inscrutable riddle, whom she feared more than she was willing to acknowledge. For Hugh's future depended to a certain extent upon Uncle Ben Benedict, and with Hugh's future her own was bound inseparably. She was a fair, fresh-looking girl,with velvety cheeks, bronze-bright hair, and features as correct and delicately cut as a cameo. Hugh was quite certain that Uncle Ben couid not see her without loving her; but then, these yov.ng husbands are not apt to be impartial judges.

She was sitting in the fire-light when the old gentleman first beheld her, and the only warning she had of his presence she saw reflected in Hugh's eyes.

"My dear, how do you do?" said the old gentleman. And she thought he was not so terrible after all.

He turned to Hugh. e l!' - voun S' man, are you ready to go home?" he asked brusquely; for be it known that the old gentleman had given Hugh and Rachel a weddingpresent of a new house. "Quite, sir." "Shall K be tc-morrow?" "Yes." "All right." And Mr Benedict sat down to spend the evening and enjoy himself. "Well." said Hugh, when his uncle was taking leave, and paused 011 the hotel steps to light a cigar. "Well," said Uncle Benedict, calmly. "How do you like her?" asked Hugh. "How can I tell? She's pretty; so is a doll or a. while kitten. Good evening."

And Hush, albeit he was very fond of his uncle, did not knew whether to be vexed or not.

Early next morning, however. Uncle Ben made his appearance. "Trunks packed, eh?" "All but the last one. Uncle," and "Rachel lifted her pretty head out of the tray.

" I'm going to take you down to Rloomsbury myself, dear," said Uncle Ren. "Hugh. I want you to go by express to Washington with these letters. They r? of importance. I'd go myself if 1 were younger, but journeys don't agree with old bones like mine." Hugh looked aghast. "Cannot the business be postponed?" said Hugh hesitatingly. "No," replied Uncle Ben, curtlv. "If you don't want to go, say so. I daresay 1 can find someone else to oblige me."

"Of course I shall go," said Hugh "Rut Rachel "

"I suppose I'm old enough to take care of a girl. You'll find us both in the new home, with the kettle boiling, and the table set for tea, when you como back." So there was nothing for it but for Hugh to kiss iho little bride a half score of times, and commission Uncle Ren to take the best possible care of her until he should return.

"Foolish children," said Mr Benedict, as he saw Rachei sobbing on Hugh's shoulder. But there was a cheery twinkle in his own grey eyes, nevertheless. Poor little girl. The atmosphere had lost somewhat of its sparkle, and the world looked less bright as she journeyed towards her new home with Uncle Ben's newspaper rattling at her side. As the twilight began to fall her thoughts became busy, as a woman's will at times.

"Uncle," she said, turning suddenly towards the old gentleman, "what sort of a house is it—ours, I mean?"

"Well." said Uncle Ben, reflectively, "it's a cottage, I should say."

"A modern cottage?" "Well, no; rather on the antique order than otherwise."

"Oh." cried Rachel. "I'm glad. J despise these new, stiff places, that lookas if merely to be admired, not lived in and enjoyed. Uncle, what are you laughing at?" "At your curiosity, my dear."

"Then I won't ask another question." But she fully atoned for that deprivation by sketching on tablets of her own fancy an endless variety of Gothic erections. with bay windows and trellises, while Uncle Benedict watched her behind the screen of his newspaper, with the queerest of expressions on his old brown face.

"I'm almost sorry I commenced the tiling-," he said to himself. "If I should be disappointed in her. But, pooh! it's the only way to find out if she is worth my boy's love !"

Presently the old lumbering country conveyance came to a standstill —but, to Rachel's surprise, in front of no fairy cot or low-caved edifice surrounded by verandahs and flower-parterres. A tumble - down, unpainted, farm house stood a little back from the road, with its shutters hanging loosely by one hinge, and one or two scrubby bushes forlornly tossing in the wind ! A well-sweep, mute witness of bygone days, towered up in rear, and a cat darted under the cellar window.

"How dreary it looks," thought Rachel, with a little shudder, as she glanced round to see whether the fat woman opposite or the lank, young gentleman by her side was going to alight. But neither stirred.

Uncle Ben seized his carpet-bag and umbrella.

"Come, my dear." he said to Rachel She started instinctively forward. "Is this the place?"

"This is the place

"Poor Rachel ! What were her sensations as she looked blankly around the neglected, dismal spot which was the .sole realisation of her fairy dreams ? This is the home Uncle Ben had given them! And for an instant she felt as if she could repel the unwelcome gift, and tell Uncle Benjamin plainly that she could not spend her days in a hovel like this.

JBut then came sober second thoughts. Uncle Ben had meant kindly; they were poor, and could not afford to dispense with even the meanest of roofs over their heads. No, she must accept the present in the spirit in which it was given, and check in the bud all her rebellious and unamiable repinings.""I told_ you it was a cottage, you know," said Uncle Ben, scrutinising her face.

"Yes, I know," said Rachel, glancfhg round with brightening eyes. "That is a very choice climbing rose over the window, if it was only properly trained."

" It's rather lonesome." snid Uncle Ben. " I like the country." Rachel answered hopefully. As she spoke, a slipshod old woman appeared to let them in. and led the way to the best room, a green paper curtained apartment, with a fire in the fireplace that emitted considerably more smoke than caloric.

"Smoky chimney, eh?" said Uncle Ben.

" The draught seems to be poor," said Rachel, "but I daresay it can be fixed." "I hadn't any idea the ceilings were so low." grumbled the old gentleman. "It's partly the effect of the wallpaper," said Rachel. "A narrow striped pattern will improve it."

"What queer little cupboards over the mantle !" said Uncle Ben.

"Oh. they will be nice for our china,' said Rachel.

"My dear,-' said the old gentleman, "I believe you are determined to be pleased. Do you really think you shall like this place?'' " I shall like any pace where Hugh is!" said Rachel brightly.

She went all over the house with the old gentleman, planning 1 improvements, suggesting and contriving, until he really began to think she would make an Arcadia out of the worn-down old farm. And if she shed a few tears on her pillow when she went to rest, under the eaves of the roof, Uncle Ben never mistrusted it.

There was a buggy at the door when Rachel rose from her breakfast of rye bread and corn coffee the next morning. "Come my lass," said the old gentleman, "I want to show you a place farther up the road which has been leased by a friend of mine." The drive and.the delicious air were like an invigorating tonicto the wearied little bride: and a picture after the style ofWatteau awaited them,in the exquisite cottage,with its deep piazzas,bay windows, and picturesquely sloping roof. Rustic chairs stood under the branches of the elms on the lawn, and a marble Cupid, holding up a carved shell, scattered bright rain into a tiny basin directly in front of the gates. "Oh. how beautiful !" cried Rachaol.

"Come in, my dear, and see how you like the interior," said the old man serenely. It was perfect, from the drawingrooms to the chambers, all in white and pink, like the inside of a rose's heart, and the fairy conservatory. "It is like fairyland!" cried Rachac". enthusiastically. "Do tell me, Tnele Ben, who is to live here ?" Uncle Ben turned round and faced her "You, my dear." "I!"

"And Hush, of course!" "But." gasped Raehael, quite overwhelmed. "rhe other house " "That's only a little joke of mine ! This is the real home, and 1 giw it to you with all the more pleasure that you were disposed to the best of the bail bargain you thought you were in for."

And Raehael felt something wet and warm upon her cheek, like a tear, as the old gentleman stooped to kiss her.

When Hush camp home, to find his little wife upon the verandah. all welcoming smiles to greet him. he exclaimed—

"Why, Uncb Ben, this is a perfect casket

"But none too good for the jewel that inhabits it." Uncle Ben answered.— "Yankee B^ade."