Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-07-13

Gas to food" said the pious dame,
elaDciug at her husband, .'if YOU are
very hungry, suppose we can do some
thing for you in that way; but lodging
is out of the questiop-fur two mounted
couriers have been here to say that I,
very rich uncle of ours, from India,
will be here very soon and he wrote
some time ago that he didu't like to
have begsars about where he was, and
We wouldn't like to do anything to
offend him. True. We hardly expect
he will come tonight; but, then, he
might, you know, and we wouldn't like
to run any risks" "Well, then,' said
the old man, with sigh, II will take
food, if you please, aud 90 ON, even if
perish" "putyour trust in the Lord
said Stephen Barrett, solemnly
"Yes," echoed his wife, "put your
trust in the Lord that is what we do
in trouble. Sarah Jane, 90 down in
the cellar and bring up couple of
those cold potatoes for this old man
they are very good eating when one is
hungry like them myself. Yes, put
your trust in the Lord and don t leave
home again without means. BY the by
while think of it, added the good
woman, laying down cap-frill, on
which she had been busily at work
while talking, and looking up with a
bright twinkle of her eyes, 81 do believe
you an get god nights lodging at
Harry Barrett's, who lives only half a
mile from here on the road south. He's
a great hand for taking in strangers"
She looked at her husband, and both
smiled knowingly, for both were think
ing that in case the rich uncle should
find the beggar there, it might increase
Stephen Barrett's chances of becoming
the fortunate heir. Sarah Jane now
returned and handed the old man two
little cold potatoes. He took them,
turned them slowly over, examined
them on all sides, and murmured
"They have eyes-but can they see !?
l think not-for if they could they'd
blush red, instead of keeping such a
dark color.' Then glancing slowly
around the neat, tidy, cheerful room,
taking in three prim girls and their pi.
GUS parents, be quickly tossed the po-
tatoes into the lap of the astonished
mistress. saying, as he did SO, 81 beg
your pardon, madam, but did not in
tend to rob you" "Oh, you sinful,
wicked old creature ~ exclain ed the
good old dame, in holy horror, as the
disguised old man turned and went out
and shut the door with slam.
In less than half an hour the unfor-
tunate wayfarer was trying bis chances
at the house of Harry Barrett. "Come
in" said a strong, hearty, cheerful voice
in answer to bis timid knock.
He entered a large, plainly furnished
apartment, and beheld group of six
persons-father, mother, two sons and
two daughters-seated around pleas
ant fire, with a bright light on a table
near them, and all looking contented
and happy. On seeing that his visitor
was an old man and Stranger, the
master of the house arose and invited
him to walk forward and take seat,
and all the others drew back respectful
ly to enlarge the circle and give him the
best place at the fire.
81 have called" said the old man,
stopping and removing his hat from his
white head, "to ask if you would be
kind enough to give me some food, and
lodging for the night" "Of course we
will. my friend, and glad of chance to
help poor fellow in need," said Harry
Barrett, in frank, cordial tone. "Sit
down and make yourself at home. Here
give me your hat. Come girls, hurry
up something warm for the old gentle
man, who is wet, tired, and chilled
through, as I can readily see. You
ought not to have been out SO long in
the storm, father - "No, | know" re-
torted the old gentleman, holding his
hands to the fire, '.but the persons !
applied to wouldn't take me in."-
"What. !. refuse lodging to an old man
like you on such "a night, in this Chris
tian community" exclaimed the indig-
naut host "Who we're the inhospitable
wretcbes z" .se
The man described the houses aud
people where he had called IL see,"
said the host, with grim smile 81
understand. The first family kicked
you out ?' Almost 1.-The second
family prayed you out ?" "Almost,"
again smiled the stranger. "Well, they
are both relatives of mine, but ! am
ashamed of them ''They said by way
of excuse" pursued the oil man, "that
they were expecting rich uncle from
India, who wouldn't like to see a beggar
about"
"Aye, my friend, and we are expect
ing the same rich uncle, too-an eccen-
trio old bachelor, who says he wants to
make one of US heir to bis vast possess
sions. Two gaily mounted messengers
arrived this evening to say that 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 strap
ger, rising in some trepidation, lido not
for the world let my presence jeopardize
your interests with your rich kinsman
l will merely get something to sat, and
travel on till find another lodging"
"No, you won't leave this house to.
night for all the uncles that the Indias
can turn outi Sit down aoain sir sit