Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-09-27
The Two Nephews.

At the parlor window Of a pretty villa
near Walt0n-On-Thames, sat, one evening a
dusk, an old man and young woman. Tn,
age Of the man might be some seventy, willis
his companion had hardly reached nineteen
Her beautiful blooming face, and active ligh
and upright figure, were in strong contrss
with the worn countenance and bent fram'
Of the old man; but in bis eye, and in th,
corners of his mouth, were indications of 1
gay spirit and self-confdence, which ag,
and suffering had dampened, but not ex.
tinguished.
"No use looking any more Mary" said
he, "neither John Meade nor Peter Finch
viii be here before dark. Very hard that
when sick uncle asks bis two nephews tc
come and see him, they can come at Onve.-.
The duty is simple in the extreme-only tc
help me TO die, and take what l choose to
leave them in my will Pooh when I was a
young man, I'd have done it for my uncle
with the utmost celebrity. But the worlds
getting quite heartless."
''Oh, sir said Mary.
And what does 'oh, sir = mean p said
he" "D'ye think l shsnt die2 know
better. A little more and theren be an
end of old Billy COllett. He'll have left this
dirty world for cleAner-to the great sorrow
land advantage of bis affectionste relatives.
Ughl Give me glass ofthe doctors stuff.
The girl poured some medicine in glass,
al don't by any means approve Of your Oh,
sir 2 and dear sir' and the rest of il, when
I've told you how hated to be called sir
at all. Why, you couldn't be more respect
full ifyou were a charity girl and beadle in
a gold laced hat None of your nonsense,
Mary Sutton, if you please. I've been your
lawful guardian now for more than six months
and you ought to know my likings and dis
likings"
Ny poor father often told me how you dis
liked ceremony" said Mary.
Your poor father told you quite right,
said Mr.. Collett Fred Sutton was a man
of talent--a capital fellow. His only fault
was a natural inability to keep farthing in
his pocket. Poor Fredl be loved me-Tm
sure he did. He bequeathed me his only
child-and it isn't every friend would do
that"
"a kind and generous protector you have
beenW I..tsl 3UL.-L.lga.tf
"Well, / don't know; I've tried not TO be
brute, but / dare say l have been. Don't
speak roughly to you sometimes? Haven't
given you good, prudent worldly advice
about John Meade, and made myself quite
disagreeable, and like GUARDIAN Come,
confess you love this penniless nephew Of
mine"
"Ah, there it isF said Mr.. Oollett. "And
what business has a poor devil Of an artist to
fall in love with my ward And what busi-
ness has my ward to fall in love with poor
devil ofan artist? But that's Fred Sutton
daughter all overt Haven't two nephewsl
Why eouldn't you fall in love with the dis
Greet one-the thriving one? Peter Finch
considering he's an attorney is a worthy
young man. He is industrious in the ex-
treme, and attends to other peoples business
only when he's paid for it. He despises senti-
ments, and always look to the main chance.
But John Meade, my dear Mary, may spoil
canvass for ever, and not grow rich. He's all
for art, and truth, and social reform, and
spiritual elevation, and the Lord knows what
Peter Finch will ride in his carriage, and
splash poor John Meade as he trudges OF
foot" .l a-r...s..f .rrr-- tr-
The harangue was here interrupted by
ring at the gate, and Mr.. Peter Finch was an
nounced He had hardly taken his seal
when another pull at the bell was heard, ant
Mr. John Meade was announced.
Mr. Collett eyed his two nephews with {
queer sort ofsmile, whilst they made speech
1 es expressive Of sorrow at the nature Of theil
visit Atlast stopping them
4" Enough, boys, enough" said he" le
US find some better subject to discuss thar
the state of an old mans health want t.
know little more about you both. hav
en't seen much of you up to the present time
and for anything know, you may be rogue
or FOOLS" . ,.s ..-.-.
John Meade seemed rather to vince unde
/ this address; Peter Finch sat calm and con
ident. p
aTo put case now" said Mr.. COllett
's this morning a poor wretch of a gardene
came begging here. He could get no work
and said he was starving. Well, knew
something about the fellow, and believe b
only told the truth so gave him a shilling
to get rid of him. Now, Pm afraid l di
wrong. What claim has he on me2 Wha
claim has be on anybody The value of hi
labor in the market is all that a workin
man has right tO-and when his labor
no value, wky then he must 60 10 the d.
or wherever else he can. Eh, Peter2 That
my philosophy; what do you think?"
"I quite agree with you, sirl said Nj
Finch perfectly agree with you. The yalu
Of their labor in the market is all that labol
ers. can pretend tO--an that they should haYt
Nothing sets more perniciousiy than the al
Il surd extraneous support called charity
"Hear, hear" said Mr. Collett; "you're
very clever fellow, Peter. Go on, my del
boy, go on"
What results from charitable aid 2 " COZ
tinued Peter. HTbe value oflabor is kept
an unnatural level. State charity is Sta
robbery; private charity is public wrong"
That's il, Peter, said Mr. Gellett ''wht
do you think of our philosophy, John2 ?"
: ~ don't like it'll don't believe it. sal
John. You were quite right to give II
man a shilling. would have given him
{" Oh, you would, would you ~ said NJ
Oollett. q You're very generous with you
shilllngs. Would you fy in the face Of a
. orthodox political economy, you Vandal y
T" Yes" said John g as the Eandals he-
in the face of Rome, and DESTROYED what ba
become falsehood and q nuisance y
"PoOr John, said Mr.. Collett; eve sba
never make anything of him, Peter. Reall,
we'd better talk Of something else. Johi
sall US all about the new novel;
They eOnveTsed on various topics, until Il
, arrival of the invalid's early bedtime partC
uncle and nephews for the night
Mary Sutton seized an opportunity, Il
rext morning after breakfast to speak
John Meade alone.
John, said she g do think more of Vol
nrn infnraef- of =. -. IL u