Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/180

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him, his eye kindled and his cheek glowed. His figure that had stooped somewhat from the wasted strength due insufficient food became erect, and his whole bearing assumed a military poise that was so fondly familiar to the little Californian.

"Oh, my, Uncle Joe! My dear, sweet, new Uncle Joe! You're more and more like my papa all the time. If you had on his gray, bright-buttony soldier clothes, and his lovely red sash, you would be a regular Company F—er! wouldn't you? I wish mamma was here, and papa and Doctor Mack and funny big Bridget!"

"So they all shall be some day, Josephine. But first you'll have to get acquainted with Tom, Dick, Harry, and Penelope, and the sweetest Aunt Kitty that ever the sun shone on," he answered heartily.

Josephine's brown eyes opened in astonishment, and she said, with a deprecating look at the old Uncle Joe:

"I'd like to, if you'd like me to, but he—this one—he'd not like me to. He said, he