Indiana American., 1867-10-11
THE eccENTRIo UNCLE.

lived three cousins Of the family name Of
Barrett They we're oil married and set
tied on farms, within mile Of each other,
and each Of them had grown up children
around them. They were not rich, but 10
fair circumstances; each had expectations.
An eccentric uncle had gone out 10 India
when quite young man. and rumor told
them that no had become very wealthy
and would probably die bachelor. Who
then but themselves would be heirs 20 his
property, they being At that time his near
est kin.
One day the three families we're thrown
into great commotion by each Of them re.
ceiying letter which contained, besides
date aud signature. only these words:
III am rich. Fools call me nabob.
woulin't give such a name to q cat. No
matter-I shan't live always--and when l
die, the property must 20 to somebody. |
am coming to England to find an heir. I
shall come TO see you and hope you will
please me. l hope you are not troubled
with beggars. | do not like to SEQ them
about
One dark. rainy night, about three
weeks after tho reception Of these letters
by the cousins. the family Of Moses Bar
rett was thrown into a great state Of ex-
citement by the appearance at the door Of
two men in livery, who announced them.
selves as the advance couriers of his ex.
celloncy, Joshua Barrett, Of India, who
would claim their hospitality for the night.
Saying which the messengers put spurs TO
their horses aud dashed away without Civ.
ing the astouished listeners time to ask
even II single question.
Now Moses Barrett was hunk, his
wife shrewd, aud his three children chips
of the two blocks, but all tried TO change
their natures for the time-or rather to be
ready to change on the appearance Of the
rich uncle.
Nov, Moses, you stingy old brute,
said his wife, "if you know which side OF
your breads buttered. il Is to be hoped
you'll have some chickens killed for his
exeellency's supper, which is more'n you
did lor Christmas, and some Of that wine
fetched up that you've had in the cellar
since the year one, and fire made in the
best room that hasn't been there for ten
years, and all our nice clothes put on.
that ain z much. for you'd never allow US
nothn decent to wear"
"And il is hoped OLD woman" reiorted
the angry husband, that you'll soften
down that scrcaching voice OF yours and
twist your wrinkles into smiles-and
that'l be something you've never done
since the first week of our marriage"
Great activity was displayed by al the
parties concerned, in getting ready to
give the uncle the best reception possible,
and oil rejoiced. "a much as such hope
full family could rejoice, that they would
be the fret to receive a visit from him
hopingj OF course, that they might forestall
the other relations in his good graces. 1t
would have been a strange way for any
other person TO have his FIRST visit; but
then they knew the uncle was very eccen.
tric, aud his being so very wealthy made
IL all right in their Q es. lie might come
aud staud'on his head, provided he paid
for his antics.
In the midst Of their hurried prepare.
lions there appeared at the door an old
feeble looking, whiie-haired man, thinly
clad, and with his soaked garments cling.
Ing 10 his shriyeled form.
"Will you be kind enough, good pco
pie, he said, ITO give me something to
eat aud place to sleep tonight"
"We'ye got nothing TO spare, aud If We
had We don't harbor beggars," replied the
master Of the house, in coarse, brutal
tone.
But I'm old, and feeble. and hungry.
aud wet and tircd,' said the suppIicant In
pleading tone, "and IL you drive me
rfah
"Well, that's just what you ought to
have done long ago. put in the cross
dame. "When people get too lazy to
work for an honest living, and start out
begging, it's my opinion that they are
better dead than alive. Besides, we ex.
pect company soon--a rich man from
lpdia-and haint got no room for the
likes Of you."
."Well, then" said tho old man with n
sorrowful look, "since you can't keep me
over night will you please give me some
thing 10 eat. and I'll 60 further"
The dame brought up piece Of brown
bread. with an angry look, aud was about
70 hand il 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'll told you we had nothing for you,
so travel onl"
"l'll set the dog on you IL you don't, you
old beggarl'' cried lad Of ten. "My
rich uncle's coming here tonight. and ho
can't bear beggars, so you had better be
going while your bones are whole"
"May heaven be more 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, aud asked
for food and lodging.
at isn't convenient for US to keep you
30 night said the master Of the house, in
a mild, dignifed tone. "Besides, we don't
like to encourage beggars. Ii you are
poor and not able TO work, the parish to
which you belong is bound to support you.
No one need starve in this country, which
the Lord praised be his name, has so
bountifully blessed trust l am not
wanting in chsrity-as an humble follow
er.of the Lord Jesus Christ, hope am
not-but with what taxes for the support
Of the government and the poor, donations
to the benevolent societies and heather
missions, il is as much as can do to live
and give my family a respectable main
teDauce. Now my friend (thouph don't