The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-02-05

LHClI y h-iy bC lCNN III q i~H lAAAN-a AHN N4LLA
lady, awidow, had supported herself for several years
in a small shop, while her daughter, who in early life
had been under the care of good masters, had accom-
panied a family to Spain IS goycrness. At length the
widow fell into bad health, and being unable to attend
TO her little shop, was soon reduced to a condition OF
utter poverty, on which the daughter at once quilted
her situation, and under the protection OF a family OF
tourists, returned to England. She could do little
for her mothers support without again leaving her
p course which both were most anxious to avoid ana
thus it happened that she had been attracted by the
advertisement in the Times, lent her by a nelghbor.
Brown learned half of this story in a glance round
the room, and was encouraged to pcrseyere. lie in
troluced himself to the elder lady, and exerted him
self to the utmost to remove the unfayOrabIe impression
he had produced. She received him with a politeness
which at once put him at his ease, and gradually the
daughter was induced to JON 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 q Mr.. Silas Brown, q retired
medical practitioner, Il bachelor, and Brown uncle.
When our Brown was a boy, his uncle Silas took a
fancy to, and even went so far as to buy a small piece
of ground in his name in an improving neighborhoOd.
Brown had always shown a proper sense Of his uncle's
generosity, though hitherto he had not derived any
advantage from it for the old gentleman persisted IN
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. 1t
was a fine thing for a young man. Besides, by keep
ing down the boys income, he would be prevented from
making some foolish MARRIAGE term which Silas
OfOWn was uSeU u apply 10 uldIIldSc uLNlSI any CLA-
cumstances.
About three months after the adventure of the
advertisement, the old gentleman was startled by a
letter from his nephew, in which the latter for the
first time alluded rather pointedly to those three
;eres by the new church,
"You have always told me, dear uncle''-so ran
the letter-''to consider this as my own. L have no
right to presume upon your kindness, but | 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 [ hope great things, and l I'm compelled, in
consequence, to keep an amanuensis, which is very
expensive"
The elder Mr.: Brown read this letter with a doubt
full expression of face. "Great work, indeed - he
said to himself. " Chateau en- Esp9gne! I'll go to
London and see what that boys DOING And there
fore Mr.. Brown wrote in reply to the letter, but he
presented himself, a few days afterwards, at 80 Ham
stead Road.
ssOut of town 20 s'Nonsense, my good girl, - the
old gentleman said to Sarah, who vainly attempted to
oppose his entrance. EEThis is the room, | think 90
and he walked in without further ceremony. His
face grew absolutely purple rs he did so for there
was his nephew seated at Il table, busily writing, and
opposite to him was q young lady, very simply
dressed but very goodlooking.
"Well,s sir - he exclaimed, in a tone by no means
pleasant.
Brown, as soon as he recovered from his surprise,
shook his uncle's unwilling hand, and pressed him
into a chair. As to the young lady, she blushed con-
siderably, and seemed anxious to run away.
"Pray, sir, is this yOur-your amanuensis 20
Poor Brown hesitated, and at length said, eyes,
SIR
"What! - the old gentleman said, in q tone so
menacing, that Brown thought it best to lead the
young lady out of the room, whispering to her some
reassuring words.
The old gentleman wiped his brow. John, 1
can't tell you how grieved [ am at what l have seen
to-day. That you should be so lost, not only to prin-
ciPle, but even to ordinary propriety" -
"My dear uncle, what do you mean?"
"Mean why, you won't persist in the story of
that young person being your amanuensis? What is
she doing here, sir?'
'|It's all over with the three acres,'' Brown
thought. 81 must tell him.
"I admit, sir, that [ have practised some little
deception upon you, and yet 1 told the TRUTH
"Eh?'
81 mean that the lady is indeed my amanucnsis,
but that she is also
"Well, sir?'
"My wife"
"Now it's 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 successfully.
a t last he spoke, in q much calmer tone, and said,
gravely, " [ am very glad to hear it,
Brown would have been ill-itted for his position as
q comic writer, if he had not possessed a profound
knowledge OF human nature. Thought he, this is the
proper time to say nothing. In dealing with ones
relations, there is the great advantage of knowing
that their hearts are in the right place, whatever
may be the case with the rest of the world. Uncle
Silas is one Of the family, and he'll come round by
degrees.
Uncle Silas might or might not be coming round,
but in the mean time 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 [ object to marriage on the contrary, |
approve of it when undertaken prudently-not other
wise. Yours has been most imprudent. Not only
that, sir, but you have been guilty of a deception
which is unmanly and disgraceful.''
Brown felt the truth of this, and showed it in his
face.
sFor that, sir, I have to beg your PARDON
EHumph - said his uncle.
" But as regards the imprudence Of my marriage,
sir, consider that [ live by writing light articles for
the magazines
"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 writer's enjoy a reputation
which has been chiefly earned by their wives? 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 how she pointed AS dialogue for
him, and managed his love-scenes, and helped him
with an idea when his plot got into inextricable con-
fusion. And then, sir, my case'-
don't want to hear any more, John. Remem-
Der, l am not in q passion [ am not angry, mind
but 1 shall leave it to time to show whether you have
acted prudently or not. Don't attempt to argue. I
consider that, by deceiving me, you have forfeited
any claim you had upon me - and Mr.. Brown took
up his hat, as if with the intention of leaving the
house.
IF by claim you mean money, sir, I can do with
out that ; but l am sorry, indeed, to have lost your
GOOD oniniOn. Still'-