Charlie's disappointment was rendered bitterer still, when the following
week there came a letter from Uncle Josh saying that he and Aunt Jane
were about taking a trip to the West.
"Tell Charlie," said the letter, "that if we only had him with us we
should certainly take him along."
"Isn't it too bad," said Charlie, "to think I've missed so much, and all
through the want of a shoe-string?"
Uncle Giles' Paint Brush.
BY MARY JOANNA PORTER.
It was a rainy day in summer. A chilly wind swept about the house and
bent the branches of the trees, and reminded every one who encountered
it that autumn, with its gales, would return as promptly as ever.
A bright fire was blazing in the sitting-room, and near it were Mrs.
Strong with her two little girls, and also Aunt Martha Bates, whom they
were visiting. Rufus Strong, aged fourteen, stood by a closed window,
listlessly drumming on a pane.
He was tired of reading, and tired of watching the ladies sew, and tired
of building toy houses for his sisters.
"I guess I'll go out to the barn and find Uncle Giles," said he at
length.
Mrs. Strong, who had found the music on the window pane rather
monotonous, quickly responded in favor of the plan.
"Just the one I want to see!" exclaimed Uncle Giles, as Rufus made his
appearance at the barn door. "I'm getting my tools in order, and now you
can turn the grind-stone while I sharpen this scythe."
Rufus cheerfully agreed to this proposal, and performed his part with a
hearty good will.
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