The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-10-31
Gales, Skrttbes, 9nrtOOtts, TT.
THE ECCENTRIC MABoB.

Some two or three miles from the little
town of Aylosbury, England, there once
lived three cousins, of the family named
Barrett. They were all married and set>
tied on farms, within few miles of each
other, and each of them had grown-up
children around them. They were not
rich, but in fair circumstances-cach had
expectations. An eccentric uncle had
gone out 10 India when quite a young
man, and rumor told them that he had
become very wealthy, and would probably
die a bachelor. Who, then, but them~
selves would be heirs to his property
they being, at the time, his nearest kin
One day the three families were thrown
ceiving letter, which contained, beside
date and signature, only these words:
81 am rich. Fools here call me ma
bob. | wouldn't give such title to
cat. No matter-I shan't live always
and when die my properly must go to
somebody. | am coming to find an heir.
| shall come and see you, and hope you
will please me. 1hope you are not troubs
led with beggars. l 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 Bars
rett was thrown into great state of ex~
element by the appearance at the door of
two men in livery, who announced them>
selves as the avaunt couriers of his excel>
lency, Joshua Barrett, of India, who
would claim their hospitality for the night.
Saying which the messengers put spurs to
the horses and dashed away, without Civ
ing the astonished listeners time TO ask
even a single question.
Now, Moses Barrett was a hunks, his
wife shrewd, and his three children chips
of the two blocks, but all undertook to
change their natures for time-or rather
to be ready to change them on the appear
ance of the rich uncle-for what was the
use of acting with the curtain down?
''Now Nose, you stingy old brute,'
said his wife, ''if you know on which side
your breads buttered, it's to be hoped
you'll have some chickens killed for his
exccllency's supper, which is more'n you
did for Christmas, and some of that wine
fetched up that you've had in the cellar
since the year /, and fire made in. the
best room, that hasn't been there this ten
years and all our nice clothes put on
that amt much-for you'd never allow Us
anything decent to wear.''
''And it is to be hoped, old woman
replied the angry husband, ''that you'll
soften down that screeching voice of yours,
and twist your wrinkles into smiles, and
thatll be something I've never seen since
the first week of our marriage"
Great activity was displayed by all in
getting ready to give the rich uncle the
best reception possible, and all rejoiced as
much as hopeful family could rejoice,
that they would be the first to receive
visit from him-hoping, of course-that
they might thus forestall the other relations
in his good grace.
1t would have been a strange way for
any other person TO lave made his frs:
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 be paid for his antics.
In the midst of their hurried prepara-
tions, appeared at the door an old, feeble
looking, white-haired man, thinly clad,
and with his sordid garments clinging 70