Yes, my boy,
the love I bore your mother was never transferred to another woman.
Your father and myself were her suitors at the same time. He proved
the fortunate one. Having you with me all these years has been a great
solace; and now say no more about gratitude. Just love me, and stay
with me."
And Uncle Lincoln added, humorously:
"Perhaps I may be doing some good by preventing some harm. I'll keep
you from practicing and experimenting on some poor creature. Oh, you
young doctors are always very anxious to make a beginning. 'Pon my
word, I have quite forgotten to open my little Minnie's letter. Coming
here to see her uncle, and will be with us to-morrow. I'm glad, very
glad. Well, it is rather strange that the two I love best in the world
should not know each other. It has happened that you have been off at
college or attending lectures each time she has been here. Guard well
your heart, boy. Every one loves her, and she no one better than her
parents and old uncle. Much to her mother's regret, she has refused
the finest offers in town. She does not care a mote for the title of
'old maid' with which her mother often threatens her. She is
twenty-one, and has never been in love, she says.
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