Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-06
mISO~ ILANY.
MY UNCLE.

disgust, aud came down to my %hnothrr'S
IA the country .-He had been II male
cOqae'is ifom tine aye vi sixloeh &"
twonty-six, because he Was both suscep-
uble and tickle, and ns had gone on
winning female hearts, aud hnging
ibem away like wttbsred flowers, from
the age OF twenty sax up to six aud-thr-
~ from mere habit; from ldlenrss; from
having lost the freshness OF his own feo-
lings, aud from believing that True Ices
ling, and ardent, disinleres,ed attach
ment, dad not exist ~ the nature OF wo-
man. Yet ny an odd inconsistency.
Uncle Frederick thought no woman
whose ncart he attacked Could possibly
defend the citadel against MN. He
was a vain man The world-ti,e fash
ionAbIe world, had spoiled him. . But
hts comfortable vmnpy was sometimes
disturbed by an, uncomfortable Suspicion
that hall his success ia society night be
OWING 10 his wealth. lie was rich; for
his aye a very rich MAJ; aud he some
times wished he were a poor one Just
long enough to test the fidelity OF tn.
hearts that seemed so ready to melt at
his very giances. But il migtt not be;
and firmly believing that any woman in
the country would marry him ii he ask
ed her, and therefore 'despising the whole
race Of them, a determined aud profess
cd old bachelor, he came and domicilia-
ted himself with my mother. Here he de-
voted himself to books aud acts Of be-
nevolcnco, avoided mixing in the soc,e.
ty which the n~cighbourhood afforded,
eschewed and r,iled at wOmanh, cd, yet
took care to dres, very becomingly eve
~ Sunday; - and-no doubt unwntingly
was suspected OF disturbing the dcvoiions
Of sundry village bellies. This was the
only remaining symptom, however, of
the spirit which once governed his &C.
tons.
My mothex,had a large family Of chill.
dren. A rich aunt Of mine who lived
IN the metropolis. aud had no little tor
ments OF her own, adopted me in my
chiidho"d, and brought me up in the
midst Of the fashionable circle which my
uncle quilted 50 preinaturely. l came
out one season before he went in, and
so knew pretty well his character and
standing in society; and considered his
sudden whim for seclusior q great dis
advantage to mt, rs it certainly was in
one point of view; l went into a great
deal vi company, howe, er, and got along
very we'll without my beau. uncle. Like
m .'st fashionable girls, | had an immense
acquaintance, about a dozen very par.
ocular friends, and one crony OF cron-
les. This Was j ulia Gray.
Two years alter, Uncle Frederick
thought proper to ruslicate himself. |
vent nm To pay my annual visit, and
took julia with me. 1t was a blazing
hot day in August when we arrived un-
der the shade of the beautiful horse
ci,esnuls that grew before my mothers
door. She was alone, for a wonder;
aud when si'o saw my lovely friend, she
could not h dip laughing aud whispering,
"foor Uncle Frederick must go and
live IN the woods awhile; he hates the
very sight Of a pretty woman, now-a-
days"
Uncle Frederick was out that after
noon, angling in a brook among the
woods back OF the house. Little dream
ed he OF the annoyance that awaited him
in his quiet dolmlcll, as he came saunter-
my h~oInewards a little before sunset,
~ his thin jacket aud straw hat, " it'll his
crnvat un'led, his giIls demolished by the
heat, his Wristbands turned up, a fishing
rod over one shoulder, ard a basket Of
gasp'ng, leaping, dying fish in n hand
just as he pushed open a gate that led
from the woods into the garden, he rais-
ed his eyes accidentally TO Il little win
dow on the back Staircase, and saw
something there which struck him mo-
tioniess. 1t was a circular window Of a
single frame; and in il, like a picture in
a lrame, there appeared atace a youth
tuI, beautiful, enchanting face. A COM
pIexion Of. roses aud lilies; a most SYM
metrical nose and mouth, arched eye
brows, such eycs-and a profusion of
datk ringle;s falling round u countenance
30 iaultless! My uncle stood speechl IS
as Celadon after the thuuder-stroke.
Presently the coral lips began to part,
dimples appeared in the round checks
the whole lovely face frightened into u
smile "a laugh, and with a flash of white
teeth and sparkling eyes, it vanished!
Uncle Frederick stood u moment look
ing up, like n Chaldean stargazer in a
maze; then he drew a long breath, star
cd round to see if any body was looking
at HIM, and sneaked into the house to
inquire IL Jane had come from town.
Yes, SIR said johnson. did any body
come VITA her" Yes sir, ayoung lady,
"A young d-T' muttcred Uncle Freder-
ick' turning. on his heel.-Tbe black cat
was putting her whiskers and one paw
into his basket; and the grey kitten had