The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-19
For the National Era.
UNCLE JOHNS VISIT.
BY MARTHA RUSSELL.
CHAP. /
A TALE FOR THE TIMEs

Ii came at last--what the fire. Cassandra-
like, had muttered of for several days past
what people propbesied to each other on the
street-what Bill Lyman, the stage-driver had
foresecn that morning, when he called for his
heaviest pea; jacket-what young maidens and
schoolboys had looked for with such impatient
longings-what the houseless and homeless had
anticipated with anxiety and dread-the snow
storm.
And right brave storm it was none of
your light, triiing affairs, that merely cover
the earth with a thin frosting, like that on a
bridal loaf but regular oldiashoned snow
storm. To be sure, it was rather coauettish at
first, like young horse at starting but soon
it settled down, and went to work in good ear
nest, 1t wove dainty coverlids for the violet
beds in the deep old woods, and covered them
over like careful mother it powdered the
heads of the cedars, until they looked like
white-haired giants, and. wrapped alike the
graves OF rich and poor, in shrouds of dazzling
whiteness.
OH very impartial were those same little
white, feathery fakes, that came dancing down
at the bidding of the Storm edging alike the
blue cloth cloak of Judge Edmonds and the
ragged garments of the beggar with
Erninc too dear Tor an Earl"
Then they made league with that cool headed
old tactician, the north wind, and together they
went skirring through the streets heaving up
embankments here, and digging trenches and
forming curves there, rushing round corners,
to attack stout, rosy-cheeked gentlemen, who
fought and sputtered and dashed the snow
from their eyebrows, to see what awaited them
next, while the thinly-clad shop girls drew
their shawls closer about them, and scudded
in troops, like little snow-hirds close under the
lee of the houses, to escape their boisterous
greetings. In the space of an hour or so, the
storm had the city pretty much to itself, for
whoever had a shelter, was glad to get be-
meath it, and stay there.
On the corner of c and ID streets was a spa
cious wholesale clothing store, upon which, in
hurrying up and down the streets, after the
last stragglers the storm seemed to bestow
particular attention. It tried to shake the ma
hogany ceased windows, and find some crack in
them, or in the heavily paneled door, by which
it could gain ingress; but bafled here, it con-
tented itself with wrapping white covering
over the glded signboard, darkenng the win
dows, mufiling the steps, and piling up a bar
ricade against the door, as if it said" Never
mind! III be ready for you when you do
OPEN"
Now, it was very provoking, no doubt, but
none OF these manWuvres seemed to disturb
the equanimity of Mr. D. Qrestes Jimps tho
owner Of the store. All the clerks had gone
to tea; and while waiting their return, he sat
before the stove with his heels resting upon a
high stool, rather above the level Of his head,
and his eyes fixed upon lamp hook in the
wall as a kind of tethcr to his imagination,
as he counted up the profits Of the days sales
a very necessary and commendabIe process,
seeing next day was New Years, and he anti
cipated several extra demands upon his purse
Perhaps we should not be far from the truth,
if we said that at the same time he gave a
sort of rough guess at his neighbor Jumpers
profits and wondered Just how much and lpAGi
he would give at their pastors donation party
the next evening; for Mr.. ID. Orestes jumps
did not like TO be cast in the shade by any one,
by rival house besides we are all,
ut times, 80 remarkably disintcrestcd, that we
take more interest in other peoples concerns
than our own.
But, hurrah the storm has trumphedl
Through the open door falls the barricade Of
snow, followed by the wind that sends the
glttering particles dancing through the whole
length Of the store, and raises such oommo-
ton among the various garments, mentionable
and uncomfortable, suspended overhead, that
il is some time before the astonished Mr. jumps
is aware of the cause of this disturbance.
But there she stands-a little, shrinking,
bollow-eyed girl, with cheek almost as white
~ the snow matted in her abundant hair, and
clingng TO the folds of her miserable dress.
well, what's wanting, my girll" asked
Mr.. Jimps, ~ the thin, wan face, scarcely
higher than the level of the counter, was turn
ed up Ia him with timId, appealing glance.
Please, SIR began q little trembling, piping
voice, :" have brought some shirts and mother
wants TO know if you will be kind enough to
let her have the money for them"
Mr.. jumps took the packet which the child
drew from under her shawl and deliberately
the coarse garments il contained, while
tho little one edged timidly toward the stove,
three, four five, six. Why child' ex.
claimed the gentleman, as he finished counting,
g how il thisl Here is but half the lot we
gave out TO your mother )"
No, SIR returned the child, as she edged
back to her first stand, another knew that
but little Jennie has been 40 sick, sir that we
could not get any more done and-and--it is
30 cold and the coal il oil gone. Mother
hoped, sir, you would be kind enough to pay
her for these, and we will finish the others as
SOON ~ we cam
al thought your mother understood our
terms told her, when she took the work,
that we made it u rule to pay only when the
lot was DONE" returned Mr. JimPs. There
are plenty Of people glad to work for us on
these terms and your mother cannot expect US
10 make an exception IN her favor"