Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-28
7 III T. TROU b L SOME NIECE;
Or, Opening A Hardened Heart.

"And so Kate owen is coming here said
Absalom Burr to himself as be paced to and
fro in his small dingy apartment. 'Why don't
she get married and 90 about her business! A
plague on her, say. Just because my sister
chose to marry Jim Owen, and then die, and
leave this girl behind, 1 must take the thing
and provide for it. What a fool was ever TO
tell my sister Id see to her child. Why, here
will be my house turned topsy -turyy and
everything like peace fly out OF the windows.
And then L suppose the first thing I'll find her
spending money. Not penny-no-not one
She says she can sew, and she shall. By the
host, sue don't touch penny of mine And if
she stays here she will do my sewing, to pay
for house room, and do my cooking and wash
ing, to pay for her yictuals. A plague on the
poor nieces.'
Thus spoke AbsslOm, and then he sat down
and stuck his feet close up to the 6rc Absa-
l"m Burr was a perfect miscr His face was
deeply furrowed by the hand Of passing time
and IT'S lines were hard and cold His clothes
were old and patched, and shoes even, were
sadly IN want of mending
The cold breath of winter was close al hand.
and yet the only fuel he had was such as he
had been able TO pick up by the roadside and
the edge Of the pond. The house in which he
lived was but a poor hovcl with only two
rooms, and with furniture more fit for fire.
wood than for anything else. There were four
window: in the house, and every spare rag of
clothing he owned WAS In use for the replacing
Of broken panes.
And yet Absslom Burr was worth $50. 900.
though he cOntriyed to be taxed for only about
$4,000, which was invested in houses i'm the
town He was never known to bestow penny
IN charity, though many poor and suffering
iellow-ereature had begged for assistance at his
hands. Alone had he lived for many q long
year. and his heart was all hardened and closed
up agalnst every kindly feeling. He spont his
time in attending to his rents picking up wood
and rags by the wayside, and counting his
money at homo.
On Monday evening, near the last of NOyem-
Der, the stage stopped in front of Alb. alom's
hut. snd young lady was helped out by the
driver, and trunk and bandbox put down after
her. The old man had not seen her for ten
years, but he remembered how his sister had
looked when she was girl, and here was her
exact image Mates mother was the only sis
ter he ever had, and thus Kate was the only
near relative he had living. The girl helped
carry her own trunk in, and soon as she re-
moved her bonnet, she threw her arms about
his neck and kissed him. lie started back at
TINS, and severe look passed over his face
hate owen was pretty girl, and she had left
behind her not one acquaintance who did not
love her. She was short. plump. laughter
loving being, with brown hair and hazel ewes
and when she laughed the dimples deepened in
her checks and chin, and the dark curIs shook
about her fair temples. In fact. one look at
AbCc W dS Us SOOl rs Qleulclne Tor the Dlues.
and the ring of her merry laugh was contagious
My dear uncle" she said. after she had
seated herself at the FIRE, :. are you not glad
I've come
'Well-yes; shouldn't want you to be
without home. But mind-you are to help
me, You won't be an expense TO me.'
"Of course / won't. Why. I'll return YOU
ten-fold. How snug and happy we will be this
winter. Ou won't be here all alone to hear
the wind blow and the hail thuxnp and rattIe
against the windows. And / shall feel better
to', than L should if was away among stran-
gers"
- But you've got to go among strangers some
time 1ou can't expect that You are going to
Ind home here always''
On, no. dear uncle: but while do stay
will try and make you happy
And IA Ike tones did she address the old
mlser under all circumstances Ere long she
asked her uncle where she could find the ma
terlsls for supper; she confessed that she was
hungry.
. eat some bread and cheese, when 1 am
hungry he told her
" But haven't you any tea' or any four? or
any butter l''
'' There may be n little butter" said the old
man. reluctantly; but don't think there ;
Ahs Hour. and tea is something don't use'
- But you love it, uncIe1''
Why, yes-but il costs too much >
And suSar-have you any Of thatl''
Sce aiOilg very WCli without IT.
Then you wait few minutes and I'll run
out and get some. l saw a store as cam. by
only few rods from here"
And as she spoke she put ON her bonnet and
shawl.
But don't have any account at the store. :"
uttered the old man, fearfully. They won't
trust me-
Never mind, have the money. Just YOU
See to tho fire, aud mind that the teak ettle
b1ils'
And thus speaking, Kate ran out In about
htteen minutes she returned, and in her arms
she bore quite little heap Of packages. A lit
tl' bundle OF -four, n package of tea. some su-
gar, small, new tin pail full Of milk, and so
on.
Her next movement was to hunt I'D the bread
She found a loaf of bakers bread and having
cut IL up into slices, she placed il near the FIRE
10 toast Then she moved out the old table
and alter tine leaves were raised she injured
Tor the tabie-clOth, but the old man had none
But she was prepared for this and for more
too In her trunk she not only found the cloth
but also cream fitcher sugar bowl and few
other articles of Ike description. which she
Kept As remembrances of her mother. The
white cloth was spread, the dishes put on, and
then Kate hunted up the stew-pan. This she
cleaned, and having fixed it on the fire, she
proceeded To prepare iii ip for the toast. which
she made Of butter, milk and water, thickened
with alIitle Hour. She found AbsalonI dishes
hIudeh away III various places rs though stuck
Swsy from the sight Of tax-gatherers But
there were more of them than she had i'm
agined. though they had all to undergo a sort
"i washing process. before they were put on the
table. Finally the toast was done the tea
made, and then Uncle Absalom was Informed
that supper was ready.
80 intent had he been upon Watching the
light, nOIseless movements of the fsiry, that he
did not notice the first call and il IA not until
DC had been spoken 70 the second time that he
fairly understood. He sat up to the table, and
softer shade rested on bis features rs he east
MS eyes over the board. The snowy cloth, the
elesn dishes. the steaming teapot, the light
rich-lOOking toast, and, above all, the lovely
presence that presided over the scene, were new
things in the heretofore cherries home. Kate
helped him to plate Of tOsst. and " a cup of
tea and the shade upon his face grew softer, as
he tasted the we'll prepared food
Don't you remember this cream pitcher,
and this sugar bowl. Uncle Absalom ~ Kate
asked as she helped him to II second plate Of
toast
lie looked at them, and after while he
said