The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-25

~o1 y. que OF the houses stood open, and
brown perceived woman seated 1t work in \
room on the ground foor Walking over some
eniidren who were strewu about tho steps he an
tered the room, and took his stand beside cradle
wnie he addressed the mistress Of the apartment.
Do ss young lady wearing 30 and 80, lodge theres
Sne did-on the third floor, back. The bell was
broken, and be had better walk up.
<.r, nAsniuiness nad ceased to be one of Browns
failings but yet he hesitated considerably at the
aoor winch was pointed out to him. At length
ne Inocked nervously, and being told to ''csme
IL was little sitting room, the walls of which
stun retained some vestige of . dingy paper which
mad once covered them There were two chairs
and tw o small tables, and portrait of Her Majes
~ over the chimney piece. A quantity of needle.
work lay scattered about thesroom, which, in
spite OF Its poor appearance was clean, and even
fragrant, for large pot of mignonette stood out
side the open window. A pale, withered looking
woman sat IN one of the chairs. propped up by
cushions, and the object of Browns impertinent
inquiries stood near the window looking at the in
sruder with great indignation
Iheir story may be told in q very few lines
The elder lady, a widow, had supported herself
tor several years In small shop, while her daugh
Ter, who in early life had been under the care of
GOOD masters, had accompanied family to Spain,
as governess. At length the widow fell into bad
health, and being unable to attend to her little
shop, was soon reduced 10 a condition of utter pow
erty, on which the daughter at once Quilted
family OF tourists, returned to England. She
could do little for her mothers support without
again leaving her, course which both were most
anxious to avoid; and thus it happened that she
had been attracted by the advertisement in the
Times lent her by neighbor
Brown learned half of this story in a glance
round the room, and was encouraged to persevere.
He Introduced himself to the elder lady and exert
ca himself to the utmost to remove the unfavorable
impression he had produced. She received him
p0ItoQeS8 n
ease, and gradually the daughter was induced to
JOIN In the conversation. What may have been
said, do not know; but the interview lasted for
at least half an hour, and from that time Brown
became a frequent visitor.
Somewhere under the shadow of the Wrekin in
Shropshire there lives Mr.. Silas Brown, re
tired medical practitioner, bachelor and Browns
uncle When our Brown was a boy, his uncle
Silas took fancy to him, and even went so far as
to buy small piece OF ground in bis name in an
improving neighborhood. Brown had always
shown proper sense of his unce's generosity,
though hitherto he had not derived any advantage
from it, for the old gentleman persistedn retaining
the property and acting as trustee. He had worked
his way up without help, and he was determined
that his nephew should do the same twas fine
thing for young man. Besides, by keeping
down the boys income, he would be prevented
from making some foolish marriages. term which
Silas Brown was used to apply TO marriage under
any circumstances.
About three months after the adventure of the
the old gentleman was startled by
a letter from his nephew, in which the latter tor
the first time alluded rather pontedly to those
three acres by the new church"
You have always told me, dear uncle"-so ran
the letter-''to consider this land as my own. l
have no right to presume upon your kindness, but
L should be very glad if you would allow me to
derive some Immediate advantage from it. The
fact is, that am engaged upon a work-scene laid
in Spain-from which l hope great things, and
am compelled in consequence to keep an amanuen
sis, which is very expensive"
The elder Mr.. Brown read this letter with
doubtful expression of face "Great work. indeed !"
he said to himself. "ChateaH en- Rspangc!" I'll
go to London, and see what that boys doing" And
therefore Mr. Brown wrote no reply to the letter,
but he presented himself few days afterwards at
SO Hampstead Road.
"Ont of town!-nonsense, my good girl the old
gentleman said to Sarah, who vainly attempted to
oppose his entrance "This is the room, ! think p
and he walked in without further ceremony. His
was his nephew seated at a table, busily writing,
and opposite to him was young lady, very simply
dressed, but very good looking.
"Well, sir !" he exclaimed, in a tone by no means
pleasant.
Brown, as soon as he recovered from his sur
prise, shook his uncles unwilling hand and pressed
him into chair. As to the young lady, she
bushed considerably, and seemed anxious to run
away.
pray, sir, is this your-your amanuensisr
SIR"
"Whatr' the old gentleman said in . tone so
menacng, that Brown thought it best to lead the
young lady out Of the room, whispering to her
some reassuriDg words
The old gentleman wiped his brow. John, 1
can't tell you how grieved am at what have
seen today. That you should be so lost, not only
to principle, but even to ordinary propriety"-
my dear uncle, what do you meanf"
"Mean ?-why, you won't persist in the story of
hat hainQ
ia she doing here, sir y
Its all over with the three acres" Brown
thought 81 must tell him"
II admit, sir, that 1 have practsed some little
deception upon you, and yet told the truth
Il mean that that lady is indeed my amanuensis
but that she is also"-
''Wel, sir p
my wife,"
"Now its all over" Brown said to himself. His
uncle was evidently taken by surprise. He threw
himself back in his chair, and drawing out his
snuff box, helped himself to several pinches sue
cessively. At last he spoke in a much calmer
tone, and said gravey: Il am very glad to hear
it."
Brown would have been i'll fitted for his position
as q comic writer if he had not possessed . pro-
found knowledge of human nature Thought he,
this is the proper time tosay nothing. In dealing
with ones relations, there is the great advantage
of knowing that their hearts in the right place.
whatever may be the with the rest of the world
Uncle Sias is one of the family, and he Il come
round by degrees.
Uncle Silas might or might not be coming round
but in the meantime he sat in profound silence,
using his snuff box at intervals. At last he
spoke
John, have been mistaken in you. Don't sup.
pose that obj ect to marriage on the contrary,
approve of it when undertaken prudenily-not
otherwise Yours has been most imprudent Not
only that, sir, but you have been guilty of de-
ception which is unmanly and disgraceful"
Brown felt the truth of this and showed it In his
face.
For that, sir, / have to beg your pardon"
"Humphi" said his uncle.
But, as regards the imprudence of my marriage.
sir, consider that live by writing light articles for
the mage zines"
Pretty business it is to support a wife
"And consider the advantage one derives in such
work from the graceful fancy and admirable taste
of a woman. How many writers enjoy reputa-
ton which has been chiefly earned by their wivest
When you hear of Mr.. A, author Of So-and So,
you may not suspect how much Mrs. A. had TO do
with that celebrated work. allow she pointed A. q
dialogue for him, and managed his love scenes,
and helped him with an idea when his plot got into
inextricabie confusion. And then, sir, my case
II don't want to hear any more John. Remem-
Der, I'm not In passion; am not angry, mind; but
shall leave it to time to show whether you have
acted prudently or not Don't attempt to argue:
consider that BY deceiving me, You have forftite
any clam you had upon mei' and MIR. Brown TOOK
up his hat, if with the intention OF leaving the