The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-05-23
[ understand. The first family kicked

IL understand. The first family kicket
you out"
"Almost.
"The second prayed you out."
almost" again smiled the stranger.
"Well, they are both relations. of mine
but | am ashamed to own them."
They said, by way of excuse" pursued
the old man, THAT they were expecting a
rich uncle from India, who wouldnt like to
see beggar about"
"Aye, my friend, ard we are expecting
the same rich 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 eve
ming to say lie would be here tonight or in
the morning, probably the latter But,
whenever he does come, he will find us
just 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 stranger
rising in some trepidation, "do net for the
world let my presence jeopardize your in
interests with your kinsman. 1 will merely
get something to eat, and travel on till |
find another lodging"
"No you WON'T" said Harry Barrett
bluntly. "You won't leave this house for
all the uncles the Indies can turn out. Sit
down, again, sir, sit down, and make your
self at home. | know the duty Of man
who has faith in God, and I'm going to do
it. What is money to me? can't eat it.
nor drink it, nor wear it, nor carry it into
the other world and I'm sure it wouldn't
bring me any happiness that l don't now
enjoy, and | know it could never compen-
safe me for one mean action. No! Let
Joshua Barrett settle his money as he
chooses--1 will arrange my conscience to
suit myself"
'God bless you" murmured the old man
In trembling voice, and bowing his head
upon his hands. he wept in silence.
He remained at that hospitable house
during the night, and was entertained like
an honored guest.
The next day being fair, he took his leave
and as he was about to depart, Harry Bar
rett put crown into his hand, saying
''Take it, my friend, and not word. l
don't know who you are, and | have not
felt it my duty toinquire.; but this know
from your appearance, manners aud Ian
you are not a common beggar,
and that you have seen better days, which
! sincerely hope you may see again. It's
as much as my circumstances will justify,
and may, perhaps, serve to keep you from
starving some night, CT. sleeping by the
wayside."
God will repay you," said the old man
as he walked slowly away wiping
the tears from his eyes:
"He has already" unused Harry Barrett,
placing his had upon his heart, Il have
it here, principal and interest"
Long and in vain did the selfish families
Of Moses and Stephen Barrett look for the
appearance Of their rich uncle from India
i'll a carriage and four, and great was their
disappointment and vexation thereat.
Then came the intelligence that he was
sick In London. Next came the news that
he was dead and had left will.
What an intense desire to know the con-
tents of that will. What a wild, furious
excitement when its contents became
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 bequeathcd one
pound three pence, the pound to be devot-
ed to the parish poor, the three pence to
buy cold potatoes for beggars, with the
hope that he and his pious family would
put their trust in the Lord.
To Henry Barrett and his heirs forever,
he had wiled all the remainder of his vast
wealth, some half million pounds sterling,
with the hope that they would sometimes
recall with pleasure the visit of the white
haired old man they once so kindly enter
tanned.
The old beggar of that dark rainy night,
was no other than Joshua Barrett himself.