Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-27
dQtsbinaton Stntintl.
TILE spRoUr FAMILY.

the village Of Arrowford, which is situated
about fifteen miles above the Alesbury Falls,
and were quite wealthy. They had settled the
place, having removed from the eastern parr OF
Pennsylvania some twenty years before, IN
number, then, about half dozen taniilics and
now almost every respectabe-looklng sign
board in the place had tho name OF Sprout on
II, and two-thirds Of the farms around were
called Sprout FARMS in consequence OF being,
ar having been, owned By them. They were
thriving, but closcdealing and cautious set OF
men; always active and enterprislng III matters
relating 10 their own interest--honest, but ex-
ceedine exact in their dealings with others and
each other, and possessing just about AZ much
public spirit, generosity, and charitable feeling,
rs is common Ia that class of men. In their
emigration they had left behind them but one
solitary branch Of the family; and that one, be-
ing poor, and unable to join with the more for
tnnatc, was. OF course, soon forgotten, SO that,
in the lapse OF so many years, he had grown al
most utterly out Of remembrance
The original settlers, being brothers, unces,
and cousins 10 each other, had now pretty gen
orally disappeared, and the younger branches,
IN pursuance OF their fathers original plan, were
practising the rule Of intermarrying, for the.
preservation OF the family wealth. One OF these
affairs, III which love and interest were so inti-
mately connected that the reader would feel
little pleasure in being introduced to the par
ties, was in preparation, on fine summer
morning, when ! happened to be in the village
on business. The birds were flying about and
singing swcety among the trees which shaded
the neat, low, comfortable houses. Tho walk
before the doors was swept clean; and the girls
peeped out of some Of the windows III cus-
ters--their cheeks bearing visible marks o! the
industry of the morning, fresh and glowing with
health and exercise Every thing seemed live
" and cheerful; and took my post BY the front
window of the tavern barroom, that might
mark, al once, what was going forward within
and without.
The landlord happened y be the brother Of
the groom, and, in the course of the morning,
the Sprouts assembled there pretty generally,
10 drink punch and smoke cigar with the
was-to-be happy man, who had chosen that also
as his post, probably from considerations OF su-
perior gentility; for no place in The village was
accounted by them SO respectable az the village
inn, on all such occasions. They were a we'll
dressed, decent set of people, with good deal
of apparent family PRIDE and remarkably fond
of the terms uncle cousin, &C., if one might
Judge from their endless use of these cozening
expectations.
Towards noon, a venerable pedestrian, clad
in a thread bare coat old velvet breeches, soiled
waiStcoat and hat and shoes at least as vener-
able in appearance rs himself, armed with
rough walking stick, and seeming much fatigued,
wac seen travelling down the street towards the
inn. The novelty of the sight attracted every
eye, and the stranger, having arrived opposite
the inn, deliberatey, uncased pair of old spec
taces, and having surveyed the landlords name
on the sign few moments, made for the house.
The way was cleared for him, and when he
reached the middle OF the barroom he inquired
for Charles Sprout, the landlord.
Charles came forward.
"Cousin Charles said he 81 am very glad
to see YOU Offering his hand at The same time
Cousin Charles, however, appeared wholly in
disposed 70 this familiarity, with one who did
not look like having loose five-penny piece in
his pocket; and asked, abruptly drawing back
"Who are you? | don't know you.n
q am Nicholas Sprout," replied the old man,
"your fathers own brother; and have come
down that | may see my dear relations in this
pleasant town. before die"
suspect" said Charles, smiling contemptu-
ously, Fit would have been as well tohave stayed
at home. But how are we to know who you
are? Assertions do not pass current here, when
coming from men of your appearance"
There was n general litter, among the young
men, at this coloquy; but an old Sprout, who
sat unnotced in the corner having looked sharp
~ all the while at the stranger, left the room,
and calling to one Of the young men,, This is
bad business for some of u.s. said lie, sure as
The world, ii is Nicholas Sprout, and he'll be
. more easily admitted than gotten clear Of, my
word for IL; a poor SOUL he's come down for a
maintenance, no doubt, and the disgrace Of our
family comes with him. I'll be of, however.
See that You do not send him to me- Saying
which. he hastily departed
A general whisper now spread around and
operated like a shot among flock of quails
In fifteen minutes there were but three Sprout
faces remaining. These the old man was en-
deavorng to convince Of his relationship; and
as he did it 50 pointedly as to silence even
their Jokes and scoffs they told him Of the
wedding, and advised him, as he could not be
entertained in the village to 20 down to the
Crossroads, where he could stay until the buys
time was over, for a triile, after which he might
have an opportunitNof seeing some Of his old
relations, who could not see company now As
10 the Young folks, they knew nothing about
him; Gharlc4 said, it would not be worth while
10 call on them. The poor old man, however,
wished TO 20 10 the wedding But they OBJ
ircted to the distance, the badness Of the road
his clothes, his mean appearance; and still
persisted n hissgoing away; until at last the
Tears rolled down his iurrowed cheeks and
with 4 full heart lac turned and went out Of the
house.
Compassion aud curiosity induced me to fol-
low him. which did, leaving the trio OF young
Sprouts highly pleased with the idea Of having
gnt cl;.r ~ their troublesome visitor. But !
was thUuderstruck. when reached the street,
% find every door where Sprout lived shut
Close every spul gone from the street. ] stood
and ss,e thg oh man 70 to three Of their doors
~ succession, and knock, and 70 away. At
Int hn came back and sat down on the curb
stone, upposit" the tavern; and confess my
heart Wa too iul 70 70 to him, Ms he hung
down us head and wiped away the tears with
an old handkerchief.
lle hal not remained ihcrc long. however.
before gentleman, on M clcgan, horse, rode
up ~ liu, diEuounted, sat doga beside him.
and catered into earnest conversation. There
was something - singular in this, that the
Sprouts, beginning 10 suspect their relative
Nathf tg itts mar frianlias4 SntI