IHE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, BEPX, 17, 1000. nu mi' The Coming of Uncle Byron John Holnian drew an envelope Irom his pocket and looked across the tabic at his wife. "A small surprise, my dear," he said. "Not an unpleasant one?" John emilcd a little ruefully. "It depends on the point of view." Ho slowly produced a letter. "We are to have a visitor," ho said. "A visitor!" sho echoed. "Yes. He says he'll come if it's convenient" "What did you answer him?" "Nothing. He's on his way here now. He's coming in person to find out whether It's convenient" "Who is he, John?" "He's my gvoat-unclo. I'd forgot ten all about him, but ho hadn't for gotten me. He's my mother's Undo By, her youngest uncle." "Uncle By?" "Short for Byron. Undo Byron Train." "And what is he?" "He neglects to say. Writes that he's been knocking around a good deal. Sort of rolling stone, I fancy. Poor, too, no doubt. Wints to renew his acquaintance with his dear nep hew, and incidentally with his dear niece if there is one." "And where is he to sleep, John?" "I don't think thero is any neces sity for worrying about that until we make up our minds whether we want him or not Ho may bo quite impos sible." "If he comes here, John, wo are not going to turn him from the door. And I feel suro ho wouldn't have written that letter if ho wasn't fit to come. We'll keep him one night, anyway, John." "You're all right, Clare," cried the young husband. "And if he doesn't prove to be too long he can sleep in the hall bedroom. And if he is too long wo will have to give him our room and camp down in the hall bed room ourselves." "Read the letter, John." "Sure. It isn't much to look at, but the spelling is fair and the writer seems to understand how to mako himself understood. Here goes: "My dear nephew John. You may have some difficulty in recalling me, but I am your great uncle, Byron Train, the youngest of your great-grandfath-er.'s sons. I want to come and see you, John, and if you have a wife I want to see her, too. I've been knock ing around the earth for a good many years, and I want to have a little rest and get acquainted with my sur viving relatives. If you can't keep mo over night, John, tell me so frank ly. I know I'm not much to look at, but I'm your great-uncle, and on your dear mother's account sho nnd I were playmates in our youthful days I wan't to know you. I'll give you a call, anyway, and then .-ou can let me know whether it is convenient or not for me to stay. So expect mo most any time. Goodby until I see you, and my regards to Mrs. John if there is one." Mrs. John smiled. "Not much of an index to his char acter," she said. "Nor does it con jure up nny picture of the man. Wo will have to see him before wo pass judgment" She was interrupted by a quick blast from the speaking tube. "Eh!" said John Holman. "There's the man now." "Good gracious!" cried Mrs. John as she reached for a wandering lock of hair. John looked around. "Is he welcome?" "He is." John picked up the tube. "A gentleman to see Mr. Holman? Send him up." John's wife cast a hurried glance about the room. "It's luck his letter reached us first," she said. "Thero is something in that," John admitted. A muffled croak and rattle from the hallway announced the stopping of the elevator. A moment later there was a light knock at the door. "Sit down and try to look uncon cerned," whispered John. Then ho opened tho door and extended his hand. But tho man in tho doorway failed to notice thiB friendly overture. Ho was a tall man, very erect, with a white mustache, and a somewhat flushed countenance. He was irre proachably dressed and in hi3 hand he bore a silk hat "I beg your pardon," he said, with a slight inclination of his head. "I am looking for Mr. Holman, Mr. John Holman." "I am Mr. Holman," said John. "Will you come in?" The tall man accepted tho invita tion. "I am Mr. Cuthbert Marsh," ho said. "My wife, Mr. Marsh." The tall man bowed a little stiffly. "I am sorry to trouble you," ho said, "but my errand will bo a brief one. Thank you, I will not take a chair." He hesitated a moment "I have called to meet a guest of yours, Mr. Byron Train." "Mr. Byron Train," repeated John. "Yes. Is he here?" "No." John replied. "Pardon me, but have you 'seen him?" 'No. I have never seen him." "Excubo my insistence. You tnow Df his whereabouts?" "Nothing whatever." The tall man again hesitated. "I am very sorry to have bothered you," ho- said, "I was led to believe ma: Mr. Train was nero. Uooa even ing, madam. Good evening, sir." And tho tall man backed gracefully through tho doorway. John closed the door and put his back against it "What do you think of that?" ho gasped. "I think wo are highly honored," Mrs. John replied. "I only hope that our neighbors across the hall saw tho aristocratic Mr. Marsh when ho dark ened our portals." "Be serious, Clare. What does that old blue-blood want of our great un cle?" "You don't suppose, John, that he's dono anything?" "Well, nothing bad enough to call Cuthbert Mar3h to tho fifth story of an apartment houso on a rainy night" They both suddenly started. It was only tho squeak of tho speaking tube. John hurried to it. "Well?" ho called. Then ho drop ped the tube. "I'm wanted on tho houso 'phono," ho said. "You don't suppose tho offlco is on fire?" "They wouldn't bother to toll me of It." Ho looked around in the door way. "I'll bet It's some now develop ment in tho Uncle Byron mystery." It was fully twenty minutes later when he returned to his room. There was confusion on tho wires and ho had trouble in finding out who had called him. Before ho could leave tho offlco ho was called again. But tho timo had passed rapidly with Mrs. John. Scarcely had tho elevator bearing her husband gone down when a light rap at tho door drew her attention. An elderly man confronted her on tho threshold. He was a man of less than medium height, quite gray and his wrinkled faco had a weather-beaten look. He was very plainly dressed, the string tie about his old style col lar was out of place and tho soft hat he held by tho brim was much tho worse for wear. "Then there is a Mrs. John,' was his somewhat startling greeting. Mrs. John suddenly laughed. "Come In, Uncle Byron," sho said, and drew him into tho room and took his hat and shabby little bag. "Uncle Byron, eh? That sounds good." He stared at Mrs. John. "Am I welcome?" "Certainly, Uncle Byron." "Talked it over with John, eh?" "Yes." "He agrees with you?" "About you? Yes." "Better think it over. I may want to stay." "Stay as long as you like." "Honest?" Mrs. John suddenly laughed. ' "Haven't I an hone3t face?" "You have a very nice face, my dear. And a very nice voice. I hope John deserves you." Mrs. John's face flushed. "He thinks he does." "That's different. How's John?" "Quito well. He will be back in a few moments. Take this easy chair, Uncle Byrcn." "I will. Snug little place." "Bather too snug. It's tho best we could afford. Sho suddenly laughed. "I'm glad you aro not taller, Undo Byron." "Eh, Why?" "Because we are going to put you into tho hall bedroom. It's our only guest chamber." "Bather close quarters, eh? But that's all right. I'm used to camping down anywhere. Is there a window where I can get lots of air?" "Yes." "Pine. How's John doing?" "Fairly well.' "Takes good caro of you, eh?" Mrs. John was much amused. "Do I look like an abused woman?" "Not a bit of it. I wouldn't ask for a better recommendation for John. And you are quite sure I'm welcome?" "Very sure." "I'm not much to look at You'll be ashamed of me." "That's unkind." "So it is. But I didnt mean any thing by it. And there's to bo noth ing said about paying board?" "Nothing. You are our guest" "Good. That suits me." He sud denly fumbled in his pockets. "I'm awfully careless about money. Could you let me have a couple of dollars, my dear?" She didn't hesitate, but opened a table drawer and drew out a little purse. He watched her closely. "Hero It is, Uncle Byron." "I wouldn't want John to know about this," he said as ho took tho money. "Then you mustn't tell him." "Good. I like you still better, my dear. I can see that wo are going to get along amazingly well. And I haven't said a word about paying back the money." Mrs. John nodded at him. "I'm not worrying about that" Sho paused with a little laugh. "I think you borrowed it just to test mo?" The old man laughtcd too. "You'ro as sharp as tacks, my dear. But you'll never see this money again. Best assured of that" "Very well, Undo Byron. Say no more about It Thero, I mustn't for get to tell you that you had a caller this evening." "A caller? Who?" "Mr. Cuthbert Marsh." "Oh, yes. Looking for me, is ho? Good." "Ho seemed quite anxious to find you." "Very likely. Ho wasn't homo when I called. I saw Mrs. Marsh. Very impressive woman. Kept mo waiting too long in her grand parlor. I told her that Cuthbert was the son of my half-brother Robert. Bho wasn't a bit ovorcomo by tho information. If I expected to be asked to stay to din ner I was disappointed. She showed too plainly that she wasn't pleased Dy my apearance. Told me flatly that I could And her husband in his office and turned me over to the butler who hustled me out Pine woman, but a littlo hard and a little hasty." "Mrs. Cuthbert Marsh is ono of tho queens of society," said John's wife. "Well, I'm not one of her subjects," the old man chuckled. She looked at him reflectively, "I don't understand you, Undo By ron," sho said. "You'll understand mo bettor if I stay hero long enough," he cried and chuckled again. And then the door opened and John came In. For a moment ho didn't notice the old man in the high backed rocker. "Tho mystery deepens," ho said. "Somebody at The Sutherland is wild to And Uncle Byron; thero aro flvo telegrams awaiting him at Tho Gros venor, and thero soems to bo a wild impression that I'm concealing him somewhere." "Hullo, John," said the old man quietly. The younger man started. "Uncle Byron," said John's wifo a sudden laugh. The old man put out his hand. "How are you, my boy? Taken pos session, you see. Going to camp down indefinitely. Fixed it all with Mrs. John. What do you think of an incu bus like that?" A queer twinkle in the old man's eyes caught John's attention. Some how he seemed drawn to this odd visitor. "You aro heartily welcome, Undo Byron," ho said. "What Mrs. John says always goe3." "I took that for granted. She said I was welcomo and that was enough. A littlo tor, good for you." And his eyes twinkled as he nodded toward the young wife. "Not a bit of doubt of it," the young mnn heartily agreed. The old man drew a quick breath. "You looked just like your mother when you said that, John." Ho sighed and was silent for a moment. "That seems a weary while ago. But there I know more about you than you think, my boy. Give mo your hand again. There are but two of my kin left, and one of them oh, well, let that pass." "And your telegrams, Undo By ron?" "Never mind them. They will keep." Thero was a rap at the door. John looked at his wife with a comical smile. Then, he turned the knob. There stood a police officer in all his panoply. "Good evening," he said, as he stepped across tho threshold. He was a fine looking officer, his gold badge indicating the rank of captain. "My errand can be briefly stated. I am looking for an elderly man, by the name of Train, Byron Train." "What's tho charge, officer?" tho old man drily Interrupted. "Kidnapping," ho answered. "Tho party is supposed to have kidnapped himself. A particular friend of mine who stands pretty high in tho finan cial world i3 very anxious about the matter and applied to me personally. We learned that Mr. Train had enter ed this apartment house and I decid ed to follow the trail myself." His gaze rested on tho old man. "You aro Mr. Train?" "Yes." "And you aro all right?" "All right, thank you, and very com fortable." "Glad to know it," said the big cap tain. "Sorry to havo troubled you. Good evening all." And he was gone. John looked at Mrs. John and Mrs. John looked at John, and they both looked at the old man. "What a lot of meddling pooplo there are in tho world," ho chuckled. "Oh, you are going to find me a regu lar nuisance." And then came another knock nt tho door. This time the caller wa3 a trim young man with keen, gray eyes. Ho made a sweeping littlo bow as ho en tered. "Good evening," he said in a quick, nervous fashion. "I am looking for Mr. Byron Train." "I am Byron Train," said the old man. "Thank you," the young man said wih a quick nod. "I am from the 'Daily Argus' and tho 'Argus' would like to know why tho owner of tho famous Byron zinc mines and the Byron silver mines and the Utah Southern railway, and numerous oth er noted enterprises, who has kept his identity so long concealed, is in the city." "That's very kind of the 'Argus," said tho old man. "But I haven't much for your readers to-night. I'm looking tho ground over. Thero are several wildcat mining companies that will do well to got under cover com panies that have been trading on tho strength of my developments. You may also say that I am going to or ganize a company to open up certain new mining properties that look very promising. And I want you to men tion that I am the guest of my nep hew, John Holman, and his wife. That is all right "Thank you," said tho reporter, and turned toward the door. "One moment," tho old man called to him. "In your reference to that now company you may say that the secretary and assistant manager will bo John Holman." "Good night," said tho reporter. ' John and Mrs. John exchanged swift glances. "I'm pretty tired," said tho guest "Too many details for ono old man. I'm going to rely a good, deal on you, John. And now I wish Mrs. John would show me to that little hall bedroom." W. R. Roso In Cleveland Plain Dealer. Bid BLAST IN ARIZONA. Side of a Mountain Broken Up to Sup ply Railroad Ballast. Ono of tho biggest things in tho blasting line ever dono took place tho other day near Stein's Pass, Arizona, when tho whole side of a mountain was dislodged to ballast 100 miles ol track, all in ono explosion. Preparations for the blast had been going on for soveral weeks under tho direction of G. W. Kearney, powder expert for tho Southern Pacific, and A. B. Crane, an export for tho com pany which furnished the powdor. In making the blast 73,000 pounds of powdor was used. The object was to obtain rock for ballasting tho Tucson division of tho Southern Pacific. The sight when the powder was touched oil was ono of the most remarkable ever witnessed in this part of tho Southwest The whole side of the mountain was lifted about twonty-Svo feet and then set tled back with a groan, a broken mass of stone. It is estimated that a body of rock weighing 775,000,000 pounds was dis lodged by this explosion. Thoughtless Speech Brings Sorrow. A man will never be sorry for hear ing both sides before passing Judg ment, for thinking twice before speak ing, for holding his tongue when he is angry, for closing his ears to the re cital of gossip, for'' discrediting ovll reports, for being kind to those in dis tress, for being patient with those who make mistakes, for apologizing to those whom ho has injured, for be ing courteous to those around him, or for doing his duty every day. If we shun what wo would be sorry for, wo will be happy in almost any sphere or condition of life. Scottish Reform er. Catch Phrases. People catch up striking phrases and work them until tjiey becoine very tiresome. Tho pulpit and tho prayer meeting are especially in danger of such over-doing. It is well for the preacher and for the leader in prayer to watch themselves, and if they find that one certain phrase is becoming very common in their utterances to call a halt nt once. The more striking the phrase tho greater r.eoO to use it rarely if its significance or force Ir to be hold. Presbyterian of the South. WHEN THE ENGINE COMES s no time to be regretting your neglect to get insured. A little ;nio beforehand is worth moie than any amount ol re gret. KRAFT & CONGER, Genera! insurance Agents HONESDALC PA. Bobbins Iilemonal, St. Rose Cemetery, Cai-bondale, Pa, It Designed and built by MARTIN CAUFIELD Savers a have the sort of tooth brushes that are mndu to thoroughly cleanse and save the teeth. , They nre the kind thnt clean teeth without leavlns vour mouth lull ol bristles. We recommend those costlne 25 cents or more, na we can guarantee them nnd will ro place, free, any that show defects of manu facture within three moijtbs. O. T. CHAHBERS, PHARriAClST, Opp.U. & H. Station, HONESDALE, PA. oppress' r-vT -1 "Vf . i3.t.t vjr;:CTjraimnrai.iUiija',l Toot CLEARING SALE The Giant Event of the Season's End . Every Passing Season finds our Stock Broken in every department. Small lots are bound to accumulate here and therein a busy store like ours, Wo never have and never will carry over goods from one season to another, no indeed, Sir, the policy of this house demands that tho wearables here mentioned leaves us when the season does, so to this end we go through .all departments and clip down the prices unmindful of tho cost to us. July is not a timo for profits. Here following we mean to speak in deeds of many saving opportunities not in words galore ; so if that means anything to yon read on STltAUSE BKOS. CLOTHES ALL SIZES. $15 Suits now 10 i?ia Suits now 13 20 Suits now 15 $25 Stilts now 18 C111LDKEXS' CLOTHES ALL SIZES. 5 Suits now 3.50 1 Suits now 2.75 3.50 Suits now 2.25 3.00 Suits now 2.00 HOYS' WASH SUITS ALL SIZES. 50c, 75c., to 1.00 Worth Double tho Price. BREGSTEIN BROS. Underwear at Remember the Place--a New This year opens witn a deluge of new mixed paints. A con dition brought about bv our enterprising dealers to get some kind of a mixed paint that would supplant CHILTOK'S MIXED PAINTS. Their compounds, being new and heavily advertised, may find a sale with the unwary. 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