The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-09-26

when I die, my property must go to
somebody am coming to England to
find an heir. 1 shall come to see you,
and hope you will please me. l hope
YOU are not troubled with beggars.
do not like to see them about
One dark, rainy night, about three
weeks after the reception Of these letters
by the cousins, the family of Moses
Barrett was thrown into great state OF
excitement by the appearance at the
door of two men in livery, who an
nounced themselves as the advance
couriers of his excellency, Joshua Bar
rett. of India, who would claim their
hospitality for the night. Saying which
the messengers put spurs to their hors-
es and dashed away, without giving the
astonished listners time to ask even
single question.
Now Moses Barrett was hunk, his
wife shrewd, and his three children
chips..off the two blocks, but all tried to
change their natures for the time-or
rather to be ready to change on the ap-
pearance of the rich uncle
"Now, Moses you stingy old brute,
said his wife, +" if you know which side
of your breads buttered, it is to be
hoped you'll have some chickens killed
for his excellency's supper, which is
more'n you did for Christmas, and some
of that wine fetched up that you've had
fire made in the best room that hasn't
been there for ten years, and all our
nice clothes put on, that amt much, for
you'd never allow us nothin decent to
wear"
land it is hoped, old woman" rotor
ted the angry husband, "that you'll
soften down that screaching voice OF
yours and twist your wrinkles into smiles
and that'll be something you've never
done since the first week of our mar
riage.''
Great activity was displayed by all
the parties concered, in getting ready
to give the uncle the best reception pos
sible, and all rejoiced, as much as such
a hopeful family could rejoice, that they
would be the first to receive visit from
him-hoping of course, that they might
forestall the other relations in his good
graces. 1t would have been strange
way for any other person to have his
first visit; but then they knew the uncle
was very eccentric, and his being so
very wealthy made it all right in their
eyes. He might come and stand on his
head, provided he paid for his antics.
In the midst of their hurried prepar-
ations there appeared at the door an old,
feeble looking, white haired man, thinly
clad, and with his soaked garments
clinging to his shriveled form.
"Will you be kind enough, good peo-
ple," he said, to give me some thing to
eat and place to sleep tonight p
"We've got nothing to spare, and if
we had we don't harbor beggars,'' re-
piled the master of the house, in
course, brutal tone.
"But I'm old, and feeble, and hungry,
and wet, and tired" said the supplicant
in pleading tone, g and if you drive
me away may perish"
"Well, that's just what you ought to
have done long ago." put in the cross
dame. "When people get too lazy to
nd for rt
begging, it's my opinion that they are
better dead than alive. Besides, we ex-
pect company soon-a rich man from
India-and haint got no room for the
likes of you"
"Well then,' said the old man with
sorrowful look, ''since you can't keep
me over night, will you please give me
something to eat, and I'll 60 further"
The dame brought up piece of brown
bread, with an angry look, and was
about to hand it to the mendicant, more
for the purpose of getting rid of him
than from any feeling of compassion,
but her miserly husband interposed, and
said sharply:
"I told you We had nothing for you,
80 travel on! :"
I'll set the dog on-you if you don't,
you old beggar - cried lad of ten.
" My rich uncle's coming here tonight
and he can't bear beggars, SO you had
better be going while your bones are
whole.''
"May heaven be mors merciful than
you," sighed the old man, as he turned
and disappeared in the darkness.
Some half an hour later he knocked
at the door of Stephen Barrett, and ask
ed for food and lodging.
"It isn't convenient for US to keep
you to night" said the master Of the
house in, mild, dignified tone