Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-26
1.-THE UNCLE FROM AMERICA >,

dsyS we can hardly imagine. The times for
fabulous fortunes had not so entirely passed
away that one might not from time to time
behold the return Of some of these unexpected
mlillonaIres from distant countries and with
out too much credulous simplicity still believe
In the reality Of uncle Jjom Amsrica In
fact, more than one merchant whose ships
filed the port might then have been seen Mt
Dieppe. who some twenty years before had set
out in simple sailors jacket. These exam
pies were an encouragement for the enter
pusing and an eternal hope for the disin-
herited- They made the improbable possible
aud the impossible probable. The unfortunate
consoled themselves for the reality in hoping
for miracle.
This miracle seemed near being accomplish
ed for one small family in the little village Of
OmOnyille, situated four miles from Dieppe.
The widow Mauyaise had undergone hard
experience. Her eldest son, the main susten-
ance OF the family, had perished in a shin
wreck. leaving four children in the charge Of
the old woman. The misfortune had prevented
and perhaps broken the marriage of her tiauob
ter Clemence, while at the same time il de-
ranged tho projects of her son Martin who WAS
obliged TO quit his studies to come aud do hi.
part of work upon the farm.
But in the midst of the disauietude and de-
lection of the poor family, a hope suddenly
CLEANED. letter from Dieppe announced the
return of a brOther-in-law of the widow who
had been absent twenty years. Uncle Bruno
had returned with sOnle curiOsities from the
new world, as he expressed himself. and with
the resolution OF establishing himself at dep
pc Although his letter contained nothing
definite upon the subject the son Of Martin
who had the reading Of it, recognized, as he
imagined, the style Of man too free and good
humored not to have become rich Evidently.
the adventurer had returned with vessels of
share with his family.
Once en- route, imagination travels fast.
Zach one added his suppOsitiou to that of Mar
tin. Even Julienne, the little gOdehild of the
widow, who lived at the farm less as a servant
than an adopted chIld, began TO wonder what
the uncle from America had brought to her
All. we'll. We need none of US Doubt of the
friendship ncle Bruno has for US " said Mar
tin, who had just finished a second reading of
the letter aloud; . his letter says, shall ar
rive Tomorrow at OmOnyille with all that I
possess, which means that he does not intend
TO forget us.
= lie must be now on his way here inter
rupted the widow; - he may arrive at any mo-
ment. Have you prepared everything Glenn
ence - The young girl rose and opened the
pantry, which disclosed an unusual abundancs
Of good things. at the sight of which the chill
dren shouted with admiration She then com
meneed laying the table, placing at the ex-
pected guests place the least broken plate
anu the only silver spoon the family possessed
When these preparations were finished. one of
the children who had been eagerly watching
outside, rushed in crying:
:" Here he is here he is -
" Here IL who - exclaimed all yoiees
Hurrah Uncle Bruno. to be sure ~ re-
piled strong and jovial voice
The whole family turned round and bebaId
sailor Standing upon the threshold Of the door
way, he held IN his right hand a green nsrrot
and in his left u cOmmOn-sized monkey Tho
children. frightened at the strange appsrition
ran and hid themselves in their grandinotber,s
lap. who could hardly herself Keep from utter
ing aery Martin, Clemence and the servant
stood stupefed
What are you afraid of my menaoerie p,
exclaimed Bruno. laughin. Come. recover
yourselves, good people, and let me embrace
You have just walked three miles for that
purpose"
Martin ventured first; then came CIemence
Ihe wldoW' and The largest of her grsndsOns; but
nothing could induce the little girl or the
youngest to approach him,
.r"Biess me, thought L never should reach
here" he exclaimed. d" Do Won know Msmon
Aauvaise it's something of feat TO run from
QieYpe to your farm
"Is it possible that you came on foot2', ssked
Martin, with surprise
What do you suppose l eame in a canoe
gaily. ''O''
Martin looked towards the door.
s"But-the luggage stamrnered he
@.
Bruno "A sailor needs no other wardrobe
than pipe and a nightcap''
The widow and children looked at each other
Il beg pardon, began Martin. - but after
reading your letter l believed''-
hat then That | should arr;va With O
ship with three masts?''
No, replied Martin, who forced himself 70
laugh sgreeably, - but with your trunks for
long soJ)urn for you gave US reason to hope
that you would remain a long time
I" And one proof, because you wrote that vou
would come with all you possessed -
All. we'll. to be sure. here il is-sll that 7
possess exclaimed Bruno, my monkey and
my parrot, anu
' What Is that !" exclaimed the whole
family with oHe voice.
Except my sailors chest, which contains
ne lack Of stockings without feet, and sh;r,s
deprived of sleeves. But one is none tho sad
der Tor that, children. As long as the can
science and stomach are all right the rest is
"hIy a Iarce Excuse me, sister-in-law | see
you nave some cider there, and my long walk
has quite dried up my throat" aud he an
preached the table and began to drink Sae.
Ing the cloth spread. he sat down without eere-
m"ny and declared that he was diving with
hunger.
The family looked dismayed, but neyer,be-
res "iliihg' or unwilling, they were Obliged
10 serve the soup, potatoes and smoking bacon
which had already been perceived by their
Saest; but the widow carefully closed the cup
board upon all the rest
The sailor. whom Martin continued 10 inter
rogate. then related how for twenty wears he
haI sailed IN the seas of India under diFeren,
hags, without any other gain than his nav
which he had spent as soon "a he received and
hnaiIy: at the end Of an hour il appeared ey;-
dent that the whole good fortune of Uncle
Bruno consisted Of much good humor and an
excellent appetite, together with parrot and
monkey.
The disappointment was general, and was
seNeraliy manifested according to the character
81 each Whilst with Clemence it awoke only
sarPriSe mingled with sadness, with Martin il
he'ame humiliated yexaiiun. and with the
"ldo" regret and anger The change Of dig
Po,luoh Was not long in expressing itself
ILe monkey having frightened the younger
g'ri ia chasing her, her grandmother declared
ihAt It should be eNiled To Il nei ghboring stable;
ana the p1rrot having been permitted 10 peck
IN the plate Of the sailor, Martin declared il
Impossible IL SUPPORT it. Clemence said moth
Ing, but went out with Julienue 10 finish the
household duties while the widow resumed her
seat ~ the spinning " heel Outsi,Is tha door