The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-05-23


iy aighted, and walked up the flag Stones breathing
audiby at every step. tall straight, sandy -haired
young man, followed, in whom Emira immediatel,
discovered striking resemblance to the picture O
frince Albert, and who was dressed in as princely
style as our republican costume will allow.
welcome, thousand times welcome exclaimed
Aunt Philis, sinking lower and lower, while she ex.
tended both hands to the short breathed gentleman,
who came painting towards her.
'Thank you-how dye do. Hope to see you very
well, am said Mr. Banks as soon as he recover
ed his breath sufficiently, shaking her hand up and
down something in the style Of pump handle.-sIa
this is my neice, is it Blooming as peach, glad
to see you, uncle, hey p catching Elmra under the
chin, and giving her salute that echoed to the far
therest corner Of the ante-room This is nv son
Joe-quite man grown--just like his father-chip
of the old block-hap
Leila, who had shrunl back in the first rush of
welcome, now tremblingy approached her uncle
He was the first other mothers relatives she had ever
seen, except Aunt Lydia, and her heart throbbed
with undefnabe emotion.
'What little baggage is this' cried ar Banks, Civ
ing her at the same time smotherng embrace. Gust
like her mother. This must be Lddy's child
Leila saw tear trembling in the corner of his
clear grey eye, and she forgot for moment the
roughness of his manners, and the singularty of his
dialect
AS soon as they entered the sitting room, MIR Banks
sank down into chair, as if quite exhausted calling
for cushion for his feet in very gentle tone Miss
Phs sprang to the sofa, and catching up the cush-
ions, placed them under his feet like lap wing
'Thank you, ma'am. Excuse me-troubled with
the gout-dreadful twinges--great invalid-poor APP
rntite-be better by and by
Leila thought it strange to hear man, with such
round ruddy cheeks and robust frame complaining of
il-heah, and she could not help smiling to hear her
Aunt declare that he did indeed look like an invalid
8 she feared the journey had been too much for him.
Cousin Joe seemed as bashful and reserved as his
father was free and easy, and seated himself at re-
spectful distance, communed with his own Thoughts
Placed in such luxurious attitude Mr. Banks gradu-
ally recovered the composure of his muscles, (which
had been dreadfully distorted, nodded and smiled at
his neces and calling Leila to him, and made her
sit down on his knee, and pated her on the head like
a little child
'Good GIRL said he, .Liddy told me all about you
DON'T be afraid of your Uncle. Rough outside-noth-
ing but the bark-smooth kernel inside
her Uncle, in spite of his rough outside, but Aunt
Phis not at all pleased that Leila should be
placed in the foreground of the picture and drawing
Elmra towards him, she said you must not slight my
pet-you don't know how anxiousy she has watched
your coming. She has been almost crazy to
you
sFne girl, too cried Mr. Banks, pinching her
cheeks; good healthy color. Got any sweethearts,
heb Must look sharp-see if they've got any chink.
Can't live without t-oiI the springs-keep them "a
going-hey"
Here he put both his hands IN his pocket and sho ok
with inward laughter for several moments then open
ing his mouth the sound began to roll out in echong
peas, which Aunt Phills thought proper to echo a.
g:;-, more family, and EImra fainter still. Leila
lone looked grave, and her gravity seemed to increase
MIR Banks mirth, who continued to laugh till he
obliged to hold his sides.
Cant help it, said he, never could stop-does
one good-heIps Digestion with the dys-
pepsia-obged to diet
Leila thought when she saw her Uncle at the sup
per table, complaining ofthe pooness of his appetite,
yet eating heartily all the time, requiring dozen
things which were not on the table, keeping the
wants running in every direction, and Aunt Phllls'
eyes from dish to dish in ludicrous pepIexity, trying
to anticipate his Wishes that he the strongest in
valid she ever saw. He was very particular about
eggs an indispensable ingredient of all his meals
At first they too hard, then too soltagan, There
was crack in the shell through which some
drops of water had penetrated At length he had the
boiling water brought to the table, and taking out his
watch, cooked them to his apparent satisfaction Poor
Aunt Prlis sat without eating mouthfu, endeavor-
ing to look pleased though ready to burst with vexa
ton for she prded herself upon the superiority of her
cookery land on this occasion luxury had been spar
ed which could tempt the most fastdous taste. She
had however, one source of consolation The evening
had already advanced, and Mr. Clements had not yet
made his appearance. She could not help hoping
some fortunate accident had detained him, and that
he would not be present to obstruct the incense she
was preparing for the golden calf she had set up as
her idol Night on, and MIR Banks pleading
excessive fatigue and equity pains was ushered up
stairs into the most sumptous apartment the house
afforded and Aunt Phillis drew deep inspiration,
as if relieved from the visitation Of the nightmare