Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-01-17

hSuig Nlnhi Boou NhSlc Stulty was Ituil IoOhihB
full twenty years younger than when she last saw
him.
"Dear uncle Jeffrey how kind Of you to come
md see us how delighted | am to receive you
into the bosom of my afiectionate family! My
dear Mr.. Pokenham will be reioced to find
you amongst us, and all my darling children have
been so anxious to welcome you, that they could
neither eat, drink nor sleep, for thinking and
talking about you. But pray take care Of the
seps-they are so sautng, and slippery and dan
gerous-not that you are in the least infrm, but
myself had an awkward slip from them one day.
Why, how well you are looking you must be
growing younger every day. declare you look
more juvenile than any OF us. Daniel-Humph-
rey--call the servant TO take your unce's lug
gage. My dear uncle, | cannot think of such
thing MS your carrying your own luggage. Dan
iell Humphrey call somebody There can't
you take it yourselves? My dear uncle Jeffrey,
pray wait till servant can come. Daniel Hum
phrey! why don't you move?'
Daniel and Humphrey stood with their hands
in their pockets staring very contemporary as
the cross grained old gentleDlaD took up small
hair trunk and leather hat box IN his hands, and,
under the running cannonade of Mrs. POkenham's
speech, proceeded 10 ascend the flight of steps,
taking ms little notice of the lady proprietess Of
the mansion ms though lie had heard her not,
which supposititious case appeared to he pretty
nearly the true one. as on their entrance into the
gage very deliberately on the floor, proceeded to
draw from the depth of his capacous pocket n
very serious looking car horn which having ad
usted to his ear, he turned u sour look upon Mrs.
Pokenham, and for The first time opened his lips.
"WelI, ma'am, told you I'd come some time
or other, and I'm here"
Had all Mrs. Pokenham's energy and eloquence
gone for nothing? Had it all been wasted on a
deaf old man, who had not been able TO hear a
syllable of her mellihuous accents? was it all to
do again, and that too TO the detriment oil her
lungs, at the top of her breath? Yes, seemingly
so, and accordingly the poor hard worked lady
began again shouting ms loud as possible.
My dear uncle Jeffrey, we are all delighted to
see you, and looking SO we-younger than ever"
"Hey WHAT"
awe are all glad to see you You are looking
so well !" shouted Mrs. Pokenham, growing very
red in the face. "Do you think | look well
then p said the cross old gentleman.
so charmngy. Twenty years younger than
when last saw you" Hey? WHAT"
"You are looking so much younger than you
did some time back. Nobody would believe tina,
you were the same person. am sorry, however
TO see that you are rather dull of hearing" Dull
Of what" asked uncle jeff
"a little deaf" shouted Mrs Pokenhnm
"Deaf! who says that Pm deaf? a set of stupid
people. l should like to know who told you that
| was deaf? parcel of ignorant people! %
80, see, | see that it was all a mistake! only
thought perhaps YOU had got a little cod-ne,h.
ing more, nothing more" shouted Mrs. Poken.
ham. 81 am no more deaf than you are !" said
the sour visaged gentleman.
"No, no, uncle see that you are not. doni
know what | could be thinking Of, said Door
Mrs. Pokenham, whose lungs began to complain
nj beinp mn into such severe teou;sit;on .Ru,
now u9cle ,aLe the eosv cbair-.if is smcl nm on
sy one--we got it on purpose for you.' Il DOM
want your easy chairs any chair is easy to a
| think Pm getting old -
30 no. dear uncle Jeffrey: you look fIll TWEEN
~ years younger than when i saw you last
Here, Fanny Carr, do lake these slippers and this
dressinp-gown away. don't know who could
have thought of treating my dear uncle Jeffrey as
If he were old or invaded. Pray, Fanny Carr
do move this footstool, and wheel this great un
wiedy chair away
The little old maid drew near much as if she
had been little mouse approaching a lion, and
! proceeded to do as she was bid with one of the
most frightened airs in the world. The grea
cross man looked down like a colossal statue or
the diminutive little thing who was thus caIlec
| upon to wait upon his high mjgbtiness
wv ont you 20 near the fire, uncle Jeffrey i
was made on purpose for you: we thought yor
sneered uncle jeff unbuttoniug Lis coat
DO open the window, Fanny Carr, my uncle
will be suffocated.' Il wish you'd let the win
dow be-and me TOO growed uncle jeff.
"And now uncle Jeffrey, will YOU take tea Of
coffee we have them both ready DO yol
| think Pm tee -totaller? hate slops |"
'Unce Jeffrey shall have n rnInp. steak ant
oyster sause. Would you like that" shrieked Mrs
Pokenham. Il don't like to be plagued growl
ed uncle JEFF.
| Poor Mrs. Pokenham sat down in her chair
pretty considerably exhausted with shouting, ant
proceeded to lament herself and console hersel
| in low voice, perfectly comfortable in uncle JEFF
not being able TO hear her, in spite of his
ces that he was by no manner of means deaf.
well, and so he's deaf! deaf door-nai
and how in the world am TO 60 on making my
self agreeable don't know-I shall soon be per.
fecty exhausted. And yet there is one little com.
| fort in tive need not be very particular what
we say. One may he able to express our senti
ments. without being constantly in danger o.
stumbling over some affront or other
Mamma said Miss Pokenham the eldest, l
| Ia4 q