The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-03-03

| The lady descended, fully prepared 70
give the visitor frigid reception.
| "I'm not mistaken" said the old man,
with feeling. "'Tis my nephew, Alex.
ander's wiSe."
"You are right, sir. / am the wife Of
Mr.. Alexander Beaumont, and / suppose
from your language you are"
"His uncle Henry. All, mel have
Ibeen gone many years, and it does me
lgood to return once more among my kin,
tdred."
The old man leaned on his staff, and
lhis features worked conyulsively as thots
of the past came over his mind. Mrs.
Beaumont stood holding the door as if
waiting for him to depart. She did not
give him any invitation to enter.
/ "Is your husband well?" inquired the
visitor, looking in, as if he expected an
invitation to enter, and refresh himself
after his walk by an interval of rest.
"He is. IF you have any message
for him you may leave it with me, and I
Twill deliver it, said Mrs. Beaumont, de-
sirous of ridding herself Of the intruder
as speedily as possible.
"You may tell him I have Called" said
the visitor in disappointed tone, "and
that I would liked to have seen him."
"I will tell him." and Mrs. Beaumont
was about to close the door.
"Holdl there is one question more.
What became of Alexander's sister, An
lna?"
"She! I don't know much about her, !"
was the rather disdainful answer, "but I
believe she married clerk, mechanic, or
some such person. His name is Lowe,
and he lives in Norton street. Is that
alp"
"That is all;'' and the old man turned
his steps toward the street indicated, with
many forebodings, lest his second visit
might be as unwelcome as his first appear
ed to be.
"Betty," said Mrs. Beaumont, as she
closed the door, if that "old fool comes
again, be sure and tell him / am not at
home"
Norton street was not q fashionable
street, nor was the two-story dwelling oc-
cupied By William Lowe either handsome
or costly. It was marked, however, by
an air of neatness which indicated that
its tenants were not regardless of out
ward appearances.
We will take the liberty of introducing
you into little sitting room, where Mrs.
Lowe and her three children were even
now seated. A plain, serviceable carpet
covered the floor, and the remainder of
the furniture, though of kind which
would hardly be selected for drawing
room, had a comfortable, home-llke ap-
pearance, which simply satisfied the de-
sires of those who derived their happiness
from a higher and less mutable source
than outside show.
Mrs. Lowe was seated in rocking
chair engaged in an employment which 1
am aware is tabooed in all fashionable
society, 1 mean darning stockings.
Emma, girl of ten, was brushing up
the hearth, which the ashes from the
CRATE, in which blazing fire was now
burning, had somewhat disordered; while
Mary, who was two years younger, was
reading. Charley, little rogue of FIVE,
with smiling face which could not help
looking roguish, was stroking the cat the
wrong way, much to the disturbance Of
poor Tabby, who had quietly settled her.
self down to pleasant dreams upon the
hearth-rug.
All at once a knock was heard at the
door.
"Emma," said the mother, "you may
go to the door and see who it is, and in
vite them in, for it is cold day."
Emma obeyed the mothers direction.
"Is Mrs. Lowe at homer" inquired
Henry Beaumont-for it was he.
Eyes, sir" said Emma; "please walk in,
and you may see her.
So she ushered the cid man into the
comfortable sitting-room.
Mrs. Lowe rose to receive him.
II believe" said be, 81 am not mista-
ken in thinking that yeur name before
marriage was Anna Beaumont"
"You are right, sir; that was my name. F"
! Sand you have no recollection of an
uncle who wandered away from home
and friends, and from whom no tidings
have come for many long year?"
"Yes, sir, ! remember him well-nhy
uncle Henry; and l have many times
wished I could learn something of him.
Can you give me any information?"
'sI can, for am he.''
"You my unelel" said Mrs. Lowe, in
[surprise; 'then you are indeed welcome.
Emma, bring your uncle the arm chair,
and place it close to the fire; and Mary,
bring your fathers slippers, for | am sure
your uncle must long to get those heavy
boots off. And now, uncle, when you are
quite rested, must demand a recital of
lyour adventures
"But your brother Alexander" inter-
Irupted Mr.. Beaumont; .'let me first in
]quire about him. He lives in this city,
does he not?"
A slight cloud came over Mrs. Lowe 8
face.
/ "Yes," said she, "be does live in this
city; yet, strange as it may appear, / sell
dom or never see him. He has succeeded
we'll, and is wealthy; but ever since he
married-with wife, small property,
and greater pride-be has kept aloof
ffrom us. do not so much blame him as
his wife, who is said to have great infu.
ence over him. / have called once, but
she treated me SO coldly that l have not
felt disposition 70 renew my visit"
II can easily believe it, was the reply;
I "for /, too. have been repulsed."
\ '.You repulsedl Did you give your
name and inform her Of your relation to