Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-06-12

DODGEVILLE, WISCONSIN, FRIDAY, JUNE
"Well, they are both relatives of mine

"Well, they are both relatives 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 wouldn't like
to see beggar about.
"Aye, my friend, and 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
evening to say that he would be here to-
night or tomorrow, probably the latter.
But whenever he does come, he will find
us 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 stran-
ger, rising in some trepidation, "do not
for the world let my presence jeopardise
your interests with your rich kinsman
will merely get something to eat, and
travel on till I find another lodging"
| "No, you won't leave this house to-
night for all the uncles that all the Indies
can turn out! Sit down again, sir, sit
down, and make yourself at home.
know the duty of man who has faith in
God, and Pm 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'm sure it won't bring me
| any happiness that don't now enjoy, and
l know it. couldn't ever compenate me
| for one mean action. No! let Joshua
Barrett settle his money as he chooses
I'll arrange my conscience to suit myselfr'
"God bless your murmured the old
man in trembling voice, and bowling 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. AS he was about
to depart, Harry Barrett put crown into
his hand, saying:
"Take it, my friend, and not word! 1
don't know who you are, and I've not felt
it my duty to inquire; but this l know
from your appearance, manner and Ian
guage-that you are not a common beg
gar, and that you have seen better days,
which sincerely hope you may again.
It's as much as my circumstances will JUS
tify, and it may, perhaps, serve to keep you
from starving some night, or sleeping by
the wayside.
"God will repay you," said the old man,
solemnly; and he walked slowly away,
wiping the tears from his eyes,
I10 udS dllCduy uuoCO 1ld1ly Ddi-
rett, placing his hand upon his heart. 81
have it here, principal and interest"
Long and in vain did the selfish fami
lies of Moses and Stephen Barrett look
for the appearance of their rich uncle from
India, in 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 a will !
What an intense desire to know the con-
tents Of that will ll!-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 had bequeathed
one pound and 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 family
would put their trust in the Lord
To Harry Barrett, and his heirs forever,
he had willed all the remainder of his
vast wealth, some half a million pounds
sterling, with hope that he and they
would sometimes recall with pleasure the
visit of the old, white-haired man they
once so kindly entertained.
The old beggar, of that dark, rainy
night, was no other than Joshua Barrett
himself!