Read on line
Listen on line
Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville"

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

And a heap of throuble that confounded

farm has cost me, with one thing and another."

"What of it?" retorted the little round faced millionaire, leaning back

in his chair and staring fixedly at the other. "That's what I employ

you for."

"Now, now, gentlemen!" cried Patsy, earnestly. "I'll have no business

conversation at the table. You know my rules well enough."

"This isn't business," asserted the Major.

"Of course not," agreed Uncle John, mildly. "No one has any business

owning a farm. How did it happen. Major?"

The old soldier had already forgotten his grievance. He quarreled

persistently with his wealthy employer and brother-in-law--whom he

fairly adored--to prevent the possibility (as he often confided to

Patsy) of his falling down and worshiping him. John Merrick was a

multi-millionaire, to be sure; but there were palliating circumstances

that almost excused him. He had been so busily occupied in industry that

he never noticed how his wealth was piling up until he discovered it by

accident. Then he promptly retired, "to give the other fellows a

chance," and he now devoted his life to simple acts of charity and the

welfare and entertainment of his three nieces. He had rescued Major

Doyle and his daughter from a lowly condition and placed the former in

the great banking house of Isham, Marvin & Company, where John Merrick's

vast interests were protected and his income wisely managed. He had

given Patsy this cosy little apartment house at 3708 Willing Square and

made his home with her, from which circumstance she had come to be

recognized as his favorite niece.

John Merrick was sixty years old. He was short, stout and chubby-faced,

with snow-white hair, mild blue eyes and an invariably cheery smile.

Simple in his tastes, modest and retiring, lacking the education and

refinements of polite society, but shrewd and experienced in the affairs

of the world, the little man found his greatest enjoyment in the family

circle that he had been instrumental in founding.

Also read
Read
Wyandank
Category: United States folktales
Read times: 15
Read
Read