The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-01-12
BY SCHOFF, VINEGAR & co.

|
siuce size was married
. Godfrey Dodson was one of those old con
nosseurs who are to be seen any mornln:
in the show rooms of Messrs. Christie ant
Manson, examining suspiciously through
huge glasses, opening and shutting Will
half delight, half distrust, remarkable agate
snuff Boxes, walking backwards from spu
rious Raphaels, opening and shutting the
drawers of inlaid cabinet, and looking fol
the makers name and date of lustrous ma
jolica plates They know the very veal
every picture was painted, and where the
original of it is, and what it fetched. They
know every alteration that Hogarth made
in his engravings, and fall into raptures
over what other people would think defect
They are the auctioneer with magpie look
OF expectancy and cunning, and the dealers
with glances of hostility and dstrust. They
hoard and accumulate with the craft of ra-
vens and the industry of ants, and enjoy
the pleasant reflection that when they die,
the sale of their effects will be held III the
same room as that in which they have spent
so much of their time, aud will give sx-
treme delight to great many collectors,
their old rivals during life; for the finest
collection is. after all, like heap of leaves
scattered III a field, that must sooner or lat
er be blown apart, and scattered to the four
winds. Still, no doubt, in spite of this un-
pleasant reflection, there is great pleasure
in atnassng, and there will be collectors
like Uncle Godfrey as long as the world goes
on spinning. 9.r
Uncle Godfrey had lean wien face
cold, keen, suspicious eyes, short stubby
white hair; overhanging eyebrows, and a
projecting lower lip that expressed sour
contempt for all he heard and saw. He
wore the friled shirt front of a past age
and the little scarlet under waistcoat, with
just the edge showing such as was the fash
ion forty years ago. Altogether, ones i'm
cynical oil hunks; eccentric, dogmatic,
rich, and arbitrary.
When Mrs Latimer not waiting to
change her dress, but just adjusting her
cap. and making herself neat, glided into
the roon, half pleased, half frightened,
Uncle Godfrey was standing with his back
to the door, examining print Of Bolton
Abbey in the Olden Time with malicious
He turned round as his niece entered, and
without greeting her, and just as if he had
been an inmate of the house for twenty
years, said with sort Of grunt: This is
the sort Of rubbish people in the country
hang on their walls, instead of having one
Or two good pictures, Ugh! 1t is only
bit for pouterer's parlor."
But, dear uncle, Frederick and | cannot
afford pictures.-But how are you? How
ong it is since we have seen you! Why
don't you come oftener? What happy
Christmas we shall spend!" And all the
time she kept saying to herself; ''Only to
think Of his coming! !"
Uncle Godfrey watched her from under
lis terrier eyebrows for moment or two in
suspicious silence; then he took her hand
and looking her searchlngly in the face, he
said; Jane you are sensible girl; you
1idn't keep me waiting while you put on
lot of 6nery Don't thank me for coming
down to See you, for | only did it because
thought you didut mean 1t, and | thought
it would teach you a lesson and us to pic
lures | suppose you can't afford them.
know can't sell mine as fast AS l buy
and at good profit too
Where are the children? Plenty Of them,
| suppose the poorer man is the more
children Provid, nee always gives him. Ugh!
Where's Latimer?"
Gone out, dear uncle, to see the poor,
and how to distribute the Christmas chart
ties; aud ought to be out with him but,
you see, we poor people have to wash at
home, and do many things"
There; no ostentation of poverty and
economy. Stuff about Christmas! Why
give away more than usual at Christmas
Is man more hungry at Christmas, or
colder, or poorer? Aren't there other times
to give2 Bah l hate Christmas ones
bills come in then"
''Oh, there's Frederick comipg-Im so
glad /" said Mrs. Latimer, looking out of
the window. ''Oh. how glad he will be to
see you, uncle! !"
mot so sure of that, though | am rich
Now, mind, III have no fuss made about
me-no extras. AS for wine, Pve brought
down some of my own. Don't like port
that's half catchup, and the other half log
wood. No, don't go; Eli open the door"
Away stumped the strange being to open
the door, Mr. Latiner stared, horror struck
at the wooden legged apparition.
Il thought it would knock you down"
said Uncle Godfrey. ''Never ask man
again you don t want to see.''
But I'm delighted. My dear sir,
''rhere; no hunlnery. Here | am, and
you must make the best of me for week,
You're quite right to ask me. The Fitzsim-
monses asked me too, and generally 60
thure.-Confound Christmas! l wish it was
abolished. Festivity, indeed Why, I'd
rather be eating my chop alone at the Rain
81, rl.,
the best Christmas dinner in England"
MIR. Latinler did not know whether to bt
offended Or not, but, as he had expectations
from Uncle Godfrey, he thought on the
whole, he had better bear it, so he smiled
and took him by the hand.
| In rushed the children, but when the,
saw the stranger, they drew back. Dor
seated herself III shy state on distant sofa
George came coaxingly up to his father, an
took his hand while Willy, the ''tot, NEST
led up to his mother, and half hid himself i
her gown.
George used to be your favorite, uncle,
said Mrs. Latimer.
Uncle Godfrey looked at him, and grow
, ed; ''Time he went to sea. Ugh DO yo
send that girl to school? Why don't yc
cut her hair shorter? She'll be bald at thi
ty."
Mrs. Latimer was indignant but nothir
made any impression on the rich uncle, wi
t turning his back on her, proceeded to que
ton her husband.
"WeIl. Ilatimer, said he, still grubbil
on as a curate, | suppose. Nice profession
its prizes so easy to get, and so evenly d
: tributed. Bishops SO humble and active
TO pride. Ugh! sixty years work 70
corate, and. "a hundred a year at tha end Of
= Every one on you for aims, and obliged
give more than the squires with ten thol
n and year. Better be a laborer. Ugh
Any head clerk in a Iner chants office cot
buy up three curates. Ugh!"
Mr.. Latimer deprecated Uncle Godfre
.r severity. Our life" he said, lis hunt
;, but it is happy, and free from temptatio
70 There is time for study, and quiet for dom
tic happiness. Grand people are too b.
for domestic hannineSs. houSeS ALWAYS