North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-05-01
gelett gtory.
UNCLE'S RETURN.

|
BILE streets in large city one cold Decem-
Der morning, supported by large staff
which be graspnd firmly in one hand,
while from his other swung bundle wrap
ped in a coarse cotton handkerchief His
coat was of coarse gray, and he had evil
dently seer hard service, though still per-
fecty whole and neat. The traveller
walked slowly along, as have said; ex-
amining carefully as he passed, the names
on the door plates. He finally paused be-
fore a dwelling of snowy exterior, which if
we may credit the testimony of the plate
upon the door, was occupied by Alexander
Beaumont
alexander Beaumont yes that's the
house." murmnred the traveller to himself,
as he assembled the steps and rang the door
bell.
! His summons were answered by a ser
want, who after moments scrutiny, which
apparently was not of very favorable
character, SAID roughly:
"Well, sir, what do you want p
'Is Mr.. Beaumont at home ?" said the
old man, without needing the intentional
rudeness.
"No, sir he is not'
''Then perhaps | can see his wife"
II think it very doubtful, but | will see" !"
and the servant withdrew without inviting
the old man to enter, though the day was
cold and his clothing seemed hardly suffi
cient to protect him from its inclemency.
Mrs Beaumont was reclining on fateu-
il in room handsomely furnished. The
last new magazine was in her hand, and
her eye was listlessly glancing over its
pages. She was interrupted in her read
| ing by the entrance Of the servant
Nv ell, what now, Betty ?" she inquired.
There's a man down stairs wants to
see YOU, ma'am."
"A man! gentleman, you mean?
mo ma am" said Betty, stoutly, for she
well understood what made mp a gentle
man in the conventional sense of the term;
sit isn't gentleman at all, for he doesn't
wear any gloves.
"What can be want of me ?"
Il don't know, I'm sure; he inquired
after Mr.. Beaumont first"
"You didn't bring him in the parlor did
you 2"
| The girl shook her head.
"You did right, and you had better tell
him I'm not at home"
"Mrs. Beaumont is not at home,' said
Betty, re-appearing at the door.
Il suppose that means that she is ell
gagged" said the old man "but think she
will see me when she learns who I am
| III I. I Io,
and my name is Henry Beaumont
THAT old rag-tag masters uncle!" said
Betty, wonderinglI, as she ascended the
stairs.
"Ma'am, ,he says he is Mr.. Beaumonss
| uncle, and he wants to see you"
Good heavens! ~ said mistress; "if it
isn't that old vagrant, that strayed off years
ago nobody knows where. did hope he
would never come back again. And now
] suppose he is as poor as rat, and wants
help. Well, he won't get it if can pre-
vent it. suppose must see him."
The lady descended, fully prepared to
give the visitor a frigid reception.
81 am not mistaken said the old man,
with feeling. This is my nephew Alex
ander's wife"
you are right, sir. am the wife of
| Mr.. Alexander's Beaumont; aud / sup
pose from your language, you are"
Ills Uncle Henry. All me; have
been gone many years, and it does me
good to return once more among my kin
dred.'
The old man leaned upon his staff, and
] H. tyorf-aJ onpvo1s;y,aI, &c tbO't
of the past came over his mind. Mrs
Beaumont stood holding the door as if
waiting for him to depart. She did not
give him any invitation to enter.
as your husband well?" inquired the
visitor, looking wistfully in, as if he ex-
pected an invitation to enter, and refresh
himself after his walk by an interval of
rest. -..
"He is not. IF you have any message for
| him you can leave it with me, and [ will
deliver it" said Mrs. Beaumont, desirous
Of ridding herself of the intruder as speedi-
| ly as possible.
"You may tell him have called" said
the visitor, in disappointed tone, "and
that | wo1ld like to have seen him."
| II Will tell MN, ana mrs. beaumont
was about to close the door.
Hold there is one question more
What became Of Alexander's sister An
ma ?"
"She don't know much about her."
was the rather disdainful reply; "but be-
lieve she married a clerk, mechanic, or
some such person. His name is Lowe, and
he lives in Norton street. Is that all?"
"That is all = and the old man turned
his steps towards the straet indicated, with
many forebodings lest his second visit
miobf bs as unwelcome as the first ap-
peared TO be. T f
Betty" said Mrs, Beaumont, as she
closed the door, eff that fool comes again
be sure and tell him am not at home.'
Norton street was not a fashionable,