The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-12-26
ASHLAND l7LL oHlo Nv DNEsDAY, DECEMBER %. 1866.


tan comnmunitgp' exclaimed . the indig-
naut host. isWho were the inhospitable
wretches 7"
The old man described the houses and
people where he had called
ri seel' saidths host with grim smile,
II understandi 4 The first family kicked
you outi" - "A -
aAlmoss,',
sTbe second family prayed you out ?"
Almost" again smiled. the stranger
stNsll, l,stbsyalE both relations Of mine,
but | am ashamed to own them"
"They said, by way Of excuse" pursu-
ed the old man, "that they were expect
ing a rich uncle from India, who would
not like to see beggar about" n{
"Ayo, my friend, and we are expecting
that same rich uncle, too-an eccentric
old bachelor, who says he wants to make
oue Of us heir to his vast possessions
Two gaily mounted messengers arrived
this evening to say he would be here to-
night or tomorrow, probably the latter.
But whenever he does come, he will find
us as We are and if he don't like our
looks, or the company we keep, he can
take himself off again."
"Nay, my FRIEND" said the aged stran-
ger, rising in some trePidation, "do not,
for the world, let my presence jeopardize
your interests with your kinsnan l will
merely get something to eat, and travel
on till I find another lodging"
"No you WON'T" said Henry Barrett,
bluntly. "You won't leave this house
to night, for sll the uncles that all the
Indias can turn out. Sit down again, sir,
sit down; and make yourself at home I!
I%now the duty ola man who has faith
in G cd, and I'm going to do it. What is
his money to me? can't eat it, nor
drink it, nor wear it, nor carry it into the
other world and I'm sure it wouldn't
bring me any happiness, that l don't now
enjoy, and | know it couldn't ever com.
pensate me for one mean act No! let
Joshua Barret settle his money as be
chooses-l'll arrange my conscience to
suit myself"
"God bless you !" murmured the old
man in trembling voice and bowling
his head upon his hands, he wept in 81
lence.
He remained at that hospitable house
during the night, and was entertained
Ike an honest guest. The next day be.
ing fair he took hio leave As he Was
about to depart, Henry Barrel put a
crown into his hand, saying:
Take it, my friend, and not a word
| don't know who you are, and I've not
felt it my duty TO enquire; but this |
know-from your appearance, manners
and language that you are not a COM
mon beggar, and that you have seen bet
ter days, which I,cincerely hope you may
see again. Its as much as my circum-
stances will justify, a',d it may perhaps,
serve to keep you from starving some
night or sleeping by the way side"
"God will repay you| said the old
man, sOlemnly, and walked slowly away
wiping the tears from his eyes
ale has already!" nused Henry Bar.
ret, placing his hand upon his heart. 81
have it here principal aad interest"
Long, and in vain, did the selfish fam
lilies Of Moses and Stephen Barret look
for tho appearance OF their rich uncle
from India in carriage aud four, and
great was their disappointment and vexa.
ton thereat. Thon came the intelligence
that he was sick in London Next came
the news that he was dead and had left
will. What an intense desire TO know
the contents Of that will What wild,
furious excitement when its contents be
came known
To Moses Barret he had devised one
pound, to buy a coffin for the dog that
his precious son had threatened to set on
beggar.
To Stephen Barret he had bequeathed
one pound three pence-the pound to be
devoted to parish pOor-the three pence
to buy cold potatoes for beggars-with
the hope that he and his pious family
would pat their trust in the Lord.
TO Henry Barret, aud his heirs forever
he had willed all the remainder or his
vast wealth, some half million pounc
sterling, with hope that he and they
would some time recall with pleasure thu
visit Of the old, white haired man they
had once SO kindly entertained,
The old beggar of that dark, rain,
night, was no other than Joshua Barre
himself