, 1859-04-08
THE UNCLE FROM AMERICA
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

hltnouBu III tut UeBHuliB VI tulS CeituIy
Dieppe had already lost much Of its importance,
its maritime expeditions still possessed a gran
deur that in the limited commerce Of those days
we can hardly imagine The time for fabulous
fortunes had not so entirely passed away, that
one might rot from time to time behold the re-
turn Of some of these unexpected monaires
from distant countries, and without too much
credu.ous simplicity still believe in the reality Of
uncles from America In fact, more than one
merchant whose ships filled the port might then
have been seen at Dieppe, who some twenty years
before had set out in a simple sailors jacket.
These examples were an encouragement for the
enterprising and an eternal hope for the disnter-
ested. They made the improbable possible and
the impossible probable. The unfortunate con-
soled themselves for the reality in hoping for q
miracle.
This miracle seemed near being accomplished
for one small family in the little village Of Onion.
vile, situated four miles from Dieppe
| The widow Mauvaise had undergone hard ex.
perience Her eldest son, the main sustenance
Of the family, had pcrished in a shipwreck, leav.
| ing four children in charge Of the old woman.
This misfortune had prevented and perhaps
broken the marriage Of her daughter Clcmence,
while at the same time II deranged the projects
Of her son Martin, who was obliged to quit his
studies to come. home and do his part Of the
work upon the farm.
But in the midst Of the disquietude and de-
lection of the poor family hope suddenly gleam-
ed. A letter written from Dieppe announced the
return Of q brother-in-law Of the widow who
had been absent twenty years Uncle Bruno
had returned with more cIriosiGes from the new
world, as he expressed himself and with the res
olution Of establishing himself at Dieppe. Al
though his letter contained nothing definite upon
the subject, the son Martin, who had the read
ing OF il, recognized, as he imagined, the style Of
man too free and goo6.humored not to have be-
come rich Evidently the adventurer bad re-
turned with vessels Of gold and silver which be
could not refuse 10 share with his family.
Once en- route, Imagination travels fast Each
one added his supposition TO that Of Martin.
Even Julenne, the little godchlid Of the widow,
who lived at the farm less as q servant than an
adopted chid, began to wonder what the uncle
from America had brought to her. -.....-
"Ah, well, we need none Of us doubt Of the
friendship uncle Bruno has for US" said Martin,
who had just finished second reading of the
letter aloud; "his letter says shall arrive to-
morrow at omonville, 1iM all that I possess
which means that he docs not int nd TO forget
u.s." ...r sE.H 81.
"He must be now on his way here" inter
ruptCd the widSw; "ho may arrive at any mo-
ment Have you prepared everything, Clem-
ence ~ The young girl rose and opened the
pantry, which disclosed an unusual abundance
of good things, at the sight Of which the chill
dren shouted with admiration. She then com
menced laying the table, placing at the expected
guests place the least broken plate, and the only
silver spoon that the family possessed. When
these preparations were finished, one Of the chill
dren, who had been eagerly watching outside,
rushed in, crying; ~
"Here he is here he is ~
I" Here is who 7" exclaimed oil voices.
"Hurrahl Uncle Bruno to be sure |" replied
q strong and jovial voice. .........H
The whole family turned round and beheld
sailor standing in the threshold Of the doorway
he held in his right hand green parrot, and in
his left common sized monkey. The children,
frightened at the strange apparition, ran and hid
themselves in their grandmother's lap, who
could hardly herself keep from uttering q cry.
Martin, Clcmence and the servant stood stupefied.
"Whatl are you afraid Of my menagerio!"
exclaimed Bruno, laughing. "COme. recover
yourselves, good people, and let me embrace
you have just walked three miles for that
purpose" Martin ventured first then came
Clemence, the widow and the largest Of her
gTandsons but nothing could induce the little
girl or the youngest to approach him.
"Bless me, ! thought never should reach
here |" he exclaimed. "Do you know, Maman
Mauvaise, it's something Of a feat to run from
Dieppe 70 YOUR farm"
as il possible that you came on foot 2" asked
Martin. with surprise.
GWhatl do YOU suppose I came in n canoe
through the cornHeIdsF" replied the sailor,
galy. sl-..-.' "a,
Martin looked towards the door But-tbe
luggage" he.
"My luggagsf have Il al with me-" said
Bruno. "a Il sailor needs no other wardrobe
than pipe and nightcap." !