Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-04-18
Mistellaueuus &eadiug.
THE ECCENTRIC NABOB.

England there once lived three cousins, OF the fam
lily name of Barrett. They were all married and
settled on FARMS within few miles Of each other,
and each of them had grown up children around
them. They were not rich but in fair circumstan-
ees,-each had expectations. An eccentric uncle
had gone out to India when quite q young man,
and rumor told them that he had become very
wealthy, and would probably die bachelor: Who,
then, but themselves, would be heirs to his prop
erty?-they being, at the time, his nearest kin
| One day the three families were thrown into
great commotion by each of them receiving a let
ter which contained, besides date and signature,
VII Il ami am rich. Fools here cali me nabob
wouldn't give such title to a cat. No matter-I
shan't live always-and when I die my property
must go to somebody. 1 am coming to England to
you will please me- hope you are not troubled
with beggars I do not like to see them about
One dark, rainy night, sbont three weeks after
tss ieeepderef T6ese 7tatteTsby tka cors::as, saa
family Of Moses Barrett was thrown into a great
state of excitement by the appearance at the door
of two men in livery, who announced themselves
as the couriers Of his excelency Joshua Bar
rett of India, who would claim their hospitality
for the night Saying which, the messengers put
spurs to the horses and dashed away, without CIV
ing the astonished listeners time to ask even sin
gle question.
Now Nose Barrett was hunks, his wife shrewd,
and his three children chips of the two blocks but
all undertook to change their natures for the time
or rather, to be ready to change them on the ap-
pearance Of the rich uncle-for what was the use
of acting with the curtain down.
"Now, Nose, you stingy old brute" said his
wife, ''F you know on which side your breads but,
tered, it's to be hoped you'll have some chickens
killed for his exceLencys supper, which is more n
you did for Chritmas, and some of that wine fetch
ed up that you've had in the cellar since the year
one, and fire made in the best room, that hasn't
been there this ten years and all our nice clothes
put on-that amt much for you d never allow us
nothing decent to wear"
"And it is to be hoped, old woman retorted
the angry husband, that you'll soften down that
screeching voice Of yours and twist your wrinkles
into smiles, and thatn be something I've never
seen since the first week of our marriage"
Great activity was displayed by all in getting
ready to give the rich uncle the best reception pos
sble, and all rejoiced ,sas much as such hopeful
family could rejoice, that they would be the hrst to
receive visit from him-hoping, of course, that
they might thus foresta the other relations in his
good graces. 1t would have been strange way
for any other person to have made his first visit
but, then they knew the uncle was very eccentric,
and his being so very wealthy made it all right in
provided he paid for his antics.
appeared at the door an old, feeble looking, white
haired man, thinly clad and with his soaked gar
ments clinging to his shriveled form.
''Will you be kind enough, good people" !" he
said, ito give me something to eat, and place to
sleep tonight" ,a
"We've got nothing to spare! and if we had, we
don't harbor beggarsP' replied the master Of the
house, in coarse, brutal tone.
"But I'm old, and feeble, and hungry, and wet,
and tired" said the aged applicant, in pleading
tone, 'and if you drive me away, may perish.
''Wel, that's what you ought to have done long
ago." put in the cross dame. ."When people get
begging, it's my -epiriss they're better dead noI
alive. Besides, we expect company soon-a rich
gentleman from India-and hain't got no room tol
the likes of you.
''Well, then" returned the old man, with sor.
rowful look, "since YOU can't keep me over night,
will you please give me something to eat, and III
60 further"
The dame brought up piece of brown bread,
with an angry look and was about to hand 1t to the
mendicant, more for the purpose, as it seemed, OF
getting rid of him, than from any feeling OF com;
passion but her misery husband interposed, and
said sharply:
'I told you we hadn't nothing for you, and so
travel on!" - :,
'Tn set the dog on you if you don't, you old
beggar!'' cried lad of ten. My rich uncle's
coming here tonight and he can't bear beggars
so you had better be going while your bones are
whole" ;,
''May heaven be more merciful than you, y
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 another Of the nephews, and
asked for food and lodging
"It ism convenient for us to keep you tonight "
said the master of the house, in mild digni6ed
tone 'sBesides, we don't like to encourage beg
gars. Ifyou are poor and not able to work, the
parish where you belong is bound to support you.
! No one need starve in this country, which the
Lord, praised be His name, has 50 bountifully
blessed. I trust I am not wanting in charity-as
an humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ I
hope am not-but what with taxes for the sup
port of the government and the poor, donations to
benevolent societies and heather missions, it is as
much as can do to live and give my family re-
spectacle maintenance. Now, myfriend, if you
are Door, and not able to work, Though don't see
why you may not work as well as travel you had
bette: throw yourself on the parish where you be-
| lonp ~