Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-08-19
The Old Quaker Uncle.

knew nothing of fashion. | am now called
graceful, my figure is slender and delicate,
my friends all Sem proud Of me and Doctor
ll--slys | have got the dyspersv. Never
mind, most of my fashionable friends are
similarly affected.
We returned at seven. Riding gives ono a
keen appetite eat some cold chicken, and
one slice of Marv's magnificent pound-cakc.
How good it tasted after those hoIncly dough-
nuts-ha , ha TO think | ever could live on
them-and worse, make them ; fau.h
Had SOM friends call in the evening. Felt
tired and wished them at home, but was
obliged to be polite. Sat up till eleven. Felt
IL little gnnwing at the stomach ; eat Il crullcr,
drank some cold tea, slipped IL glass Of wine,
took nv powder. and went to bed.
Have been sick for nearly three weeks al
most dcspaircd of getting well, but to-day
have been able to ride out "A little way. Ncnt
round by the park and although the trees
are no longer CARRIED in beauty, though the
cold winds whistle along the bare walks, and
the little pools in the streets are frozen over,
| longed to ret from my carriage, and just
trip smartly once across the square. But
then it would look 50 strangely if should
meet any Of my fashionable gentlemen ac-
quaintanccs. and | think it very likely !
should. How very cold those little ragged
applc-girls must be | suppose they get used
to it.. They don't mind the weather, like
other children more carefully reared.
Returned home, and found my clever
Quaker uncle in the parlor. Was really
Loartilv clad to SEQ him: hut his stare. as he
hold me off ot nrm's-l,nrth rather discon-
cortnd mo and vct if was ludicrous. At last
ho smoke. very solcmnlv and exact. as is his
custom.
{" AIico." sail he. ;. rum this be thee ~
Cortaintv.' rp,lird =. but how are my
mother and sister at nome I" Twas 50 eager
TO hear from them
alice. thou art wonderfully changed -
was his only response. :. Where are thy
Llnnminr chrI,ks Whore tho nlum,r round
moss nr fthv fam Where the hrilliancv of
INV nnon - rklinr ovr.I must say. ,1icr.
thou nrt wnndrrr1Ilt Glanced :"
uRut my health i miserable. uncle am
s;ck nm,rIr' ou tLr timr
.Tbnn Iy,. rirLt hroIthv once if my mo
morv snrvrs mo rirh4 "
..JoL ,o.r', and half .;gbnd ,t tbn rr-
,pcmLronco
When thnc was = si,n,lc-hcartrd country
lass. and know nnt Of nor wished for thrs,,,
Lnynrin.t" Ln ,,iI L,oaJIv
frlt INV cheeks tinoln. for WAS unu-
sunlIv rirhIv nttirnd
:" WLv Alice. how thee used to dance
throurh rho nlJ bnusc ,t home, he continued
and INV mrrrilv thcc used to laumh and
thrn bnw nrettv thee did always look in thv
nn,t white DRESSES. and thv loose hair. that
ncnJnJ nut tbnt n;rcn of hrirbt s;Iyor thnr
tanrlcs it I'M with now rice should have
mnrricd vnunr IonsJcn. the minister. and
mrtbinks thrn world hnyr boon Lrttrr in semi
md bndv !,
:. BE y vulror country norson's wife a.,
nnso m NV lnC2 Lnt hnnnily diI no+ saw; #
:. Thn,' ,rr livinm wunlIIEtbn ara li,ying
,or. Will :, H., .,r3;nuo,l ,,..;un Ii. ,,.5
uroynJ unon NV cinrnnt norlnr :. hnt jnst
thnu think ns much If the GOOD Givrr nov
~ thon didst when a pleasant country
child
was startlol for a moment for whom and
how do I ever think of God
81 hear thou art called very fashionable.
and a fine lady but is the '~rlittcr of the
gold. and the incense Of adulation, to be com
nnared with the clear pure fountain of living
watrrs that rive health. contentmcnt and
happiness And are these ecwgaws any re-
colnpensc for the loss Of that Simplicity of
soul, that goodness Of heart, for which thou
vast 50 famous } | stood upon thy stone steps
as | came here. and beside me was IA mcanIy-
clad child. Thy domestic herself dcckcd with
tnerv, came to the door and bowed courteous
" to me, but frowncd ON the poor infant. The
little child asked IL very pitiful question.
"Give me IL bit of bread, please !"
$50 away = was the unfccling response
and the little one turned from the door
frightened.
"Cans't thou not rive the child IA crust -
| asked, sternlv.
"'Mv mistress has forbidden me. and
never dare was ncr answer. Alice, thou art
indeed changed -
| tried to excuse myself on the plea that |
had been 50 often deceived. but nothing would
do.
"Thc little thou givcSt of thy abundance
cannot imrJycrish thee" he said, :. even lift
ice not rightly used. 1t is not thy nature,
Alice contact with fashion and lrivolity,
and Merchandising cold, have altered thee :;
but we will drop this subject. | came not to
lecture thee but that little scene upon thy
door step changed the current of my sym
%latiIes.
." iiow is thy husband - he asked.
=" WE'LL" | replied as well as %u~uall."
:" 1t is IL serious time with business men
now, perhaps thee knowest,'' he said.
70