The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-04-16
"You toiksd weli,'' said the old man,

"You toiksd weli,'' said the old man,
dryly-
The remainder of the breakfast was
discussed in silence, broken only by an
occasional remark from Mr. Winn, IN
regard to ''the toughness Of the steak
and 'sthe muddiness at the coffee :" and
which didn't seem to have very en-
livening effect upon his wife's spirits,
who evidently lost what little appetite
she had when she came to the table.
Mr. Winn evidently did not consider
it worth while to keep up even show
of cordiality for the uncle, who he was
convinced was no longer the wealthy
man he had so often fattered and court
ed; SO, when he arose to go, he neither
pressed him to remain nor invited him
to come again.
"Why, Uncle Lenard. is this really
| you? I am delighted" ~
eyes, nephew John. You see Eve
along into years; so thought l would
come and see if you had corner by
your hearth for your old uncle
''To be sure 1 have. Come right in
Now do take this to be so kind in you.
Been unfortunate, eh? Don't be down.
hearted, sir; you shall never want while
have penny to spare. This is my
wife, Polly. Polly this is Uncle Lenard,
who was so kind to me when I was a
fatherless boy. And here are grandpa
and grandma, Dean, Polly's father and
mother-nice old people, that you IL be
glad to know. And this is Aunt Betsey,
Uncle Dams widow-you remember
Uncle Dan. And these are my children,
three boys and three girls. Those two
in the corner are poor brother Tom S
boys; and fine lads they are"
"You seem to have large family al
ready, nephew; I'm really afraid shall
be burthensome."
Mot q bit Of it, uncle. My house is
like an omibus-- there's always room in
it for one more, ha, la, ha Excuse my
little joke"
And the generous ght-hearted fellow
rubbed his hands together gleefully, as
if this additional burthen upon his broad
sturdy shoulders was the most delight
full thing imaginable.
The holidays were near at hand. and
the week before Christmas Mr.. Lenard
absented himself SO often that John Un
derbill and his wife began to fear that
he did not find his new home so pleasant
as they were desirous of making it
Christmas morning arose clear and
beautiful, and Mr.. Lenard, who had
been absent the night before, drove up
to his nephew's door in large, covered
carriage, drawn by pair of prancing g
bays.
1t belongs to a friend of mine, he
said, as he encountered his nephew S
astonished look. 'I've borrowed it, 70.
the purpose of taking you all out to
| ride
What! all of us ?
t Yes; every soul of you. Grandpa
i and grandma, and Aunt Betsey, father,
+ mother, and all the babies! So scram-
1 BILE in.''
| Large as the carriage was, it was filled
to its utmost capacity; three of the
boys having to ride on the outside.
Guided by the colored coachman on
the box, the spirited animals drew the
carriage swiftly over the smooth, gilt
tering snow, leaving the city far behind.
what a beautiful placer exclaimed
John. admiringly, as they stopped in
front of fine country residence, such
as he often wished that he possessed,
| because it would be such q nice place
for the children
You will find it as beautiful in doors
as without said his uncle, as he alight-
ed. Its master is the owner of the car
riage, and we are going to dine with
him to day.
! Here he cut short all remonstrance by
lifting the little ones out, who ran up
the graveled walk to the house, the door
of which was opened by a neat looking
! domestic. who was evidently expecting
them.
Hobbling in front of them, Mr.. Len
ard nshered the older people into a lai ge,
elegantly furnished room, through which
= glowing coal fire diffused a grateful
warmth Near it we're stuffed arm chairs
for the old folks, and disposed around
/ the room sofas and lounges in abund-
! ance, but it was some time before they
were all seated.
Mr.. Lenard looked around upon them
with moistened eyes, and his voice was
] slightly husky, as he said:
MY friends, bid you welcome to
my home, and yours God grant th at
you may live long to enjoy it! I call it
yours, because it is legally his whose
generous heart has SO long provided for