The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-09-26
SEPT. 3G, 1867,

wouldn't take me in.'
"What refuse lodging to an old man
like you on such night y exclaimed
the indignant host. "Who were the in
hospitable wretches I'
The man described the houses and
people where he had called.
u see,' said the host with q grim
smile; {" I understand The first family
kicked you out 20
almost"
"The second family prayed you out''
"Almost," again smiled the stran
ger.
"Well, they are both relatives of
mine. but / am ashamed to own them. "
"They said, by way Of excuse, pur
sued the old man, that they were expect
ing rich uncle from India, who would
not like to see beggar about
"Aye, my friend, and we are expect
ing the same uncle, too; an eccentric
old bachelor, who says he wants to make
one of us heir to his vast possessions.
Two gaily mounted messengers arrived
this evening to say that he would be
here to night Or to- N orrow, probably the
latter. But whenever he does come, he
will find us as we are and if lie don't
like our looks or the company we keep,
he can take himself off again.
NAY, my friend, said the aged stran-
PIC in, jati Ia ot
for the world, let my presence jeopoard-
ize your interests with your rich kins-
man ! I will merely get something to
eat, and travel on till Il find another
lodging"
No you won't leave this house to-
night for all the uncles that the Indias
can turn out! Sit down again, sit down,
and make yourself at home. L know
and am going to do it. What is his
money to me ? can't eat it, nor drink it,
nor wear it, nor carry it into the other
world; and I am sure it won't bring me
any happiness that 1 don't now enjoy,
and know it couldn't even compensate
me for mean action. No, let Joshua
Barrett settle his fortune as he chooses
I'll arrange my conscience to suit my
self''
"God bless you!' murmured the old
man in trembling voice, and bowling
his head upon his hands he wept in 81
lence
He remained at the hospitable house
during the night, and was entertained
like an honored guest. The next day
being fair, he took his leave. AS he
was about to depart Henry Barrett put
a crown in his hand, saying:
''Take it, my friend, and not a word!
don't know who you are, and I've not
felt it my duty to inquite; but this I do
know from your appearance, manners
and language-that you are not COM
mon beggar, and that you have seen bet
ter days, which l sincerely hope you
may again. It's as much as my circum-
stances will justify, and may, perhaps,
serve to keep you from starving some
night Or sleeping by the wayside."
"God win repay you!' said the old
man solemnly; and he walked slowly
away wiping the tears from his eyes.
.'He has already" mused Henry Bar
rett, placing his hand upon his heart.
have it here principal and interest
Long and in vain, did the selfish fam
lies Of Moses and Stephen Barrett look
for the appearance of their rich uncle
from India, in q carriage and four, and
great was their disappointment and vex-
alton thereat.
Then came the intelligence that he
was sick in London. Next cane the in |
tellgence that he was dead and had left |
n will. What an intense desire to know
the contents of that will What wild,
furious excitement when its contents be-
came known.
To Moses Barrett he devised one
pound to buy coffin for the dog that
his precious son had threatened to set
on beggar.
To Stephen Barrett he bequeathed |
one pound three pence-the pound to be |
devoted to the parish poor-the three |
pence to buy cold potatoes for beggars,
with the hope that he and his pious fam
lily would put their trust in the Lord.
To Henry Barrett, and his heirs for
ever, he had willed all the remainder of
his vast wealth some half million pounds
sterling, with hope that they would |
sometimes recall with pleasure the visit
of the old white haired man he had |
once SO kindly entertained.
The old beggar of that dark rainy |
night was no other than Joshua Barr EFT /
himself
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