Uncle Peabody always shaved after breakfast and then he would sit down to read the _St.
Lawrence Republican_.

Both occupations deprived him utterly of his usefulness as an uncle.

I remember that I regarded the razor and the _Republican_ as my worst enemies.

The _Republican_ earned my keenest dislike, for it always put my uncle to sleep and presently he would stretch out on the lounge and begin to puff and snore and then Aunt Deel always went around on her tiptoes and said sh-h-h! She spent the greater part of the forenoon in her room washing and changing her clothes and reading the Bible.

How loudly the clock ticked that day! How defiantly the cock crew! It seemed as if he were making special efforts to start up the life of the farm.