Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-05-15

NOT AT HOME.

Il
An elderly man, shabbily attired was sesl
Walking through one Of the fashionable street
in large city one cold December day. Hi
coat Of course was gray, and had evidentl,
seen service, though still perfectly whole ant
neat, The traveller walked slowly along a.
have said, examining closely as he passed th,
names on the door plates. He finally pausst
before dwelling Of snowy exterior, which i
We may credit the testimony Of the plate OF
the door, WAS occupied by Alexander Beau
mont.
"Alexander Beaumont? yes, that's the
house," murmered the traveller to himself 81
he ascended the steps and rang the doorbsll.
His summons was answered by . servant
who after moments scrutiny which appar
emily was not very favorable character, SAID
roughly
"Well, sir, what do you want?"
'Ts Mr.. Beaumont at homer asked the old
man, without needing the intentional rude
ness.
mo, sir he is not"
Then perhaps can see his wife?"
~ think it very doubtful, but will secl
The servant withdrew without asking the
old man to enter, though the day was cold
and his clothing seemed hardly sufficient to
protect him from its inclemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on . feutenil
in a room handsomely furnished. The last
magazine in her hand. and was listlessly
glancing over its pages. She was interrupted
in her reading by the entrance of her servant.
"Well, what now, Betty" she inquired.
'sThere is man down stairs wants TO see
you ma am"
MAN, gentleman, you mean?'
"No, ma'am," said Betty. stoutly for she
we'll understood what made up the gentleman
in the conventie nal sense Of the term; it isn't
. gentlemen at all, for he's got an old grey
coat and doesn't wear any gloves"
"What can he want Of me?"
Il don't know, sure; he inquired aftev Mr.
Beaumont first,
.You didn't bring him into the parlor, did
you"
The girl shook her head.
'You did right, and you'd better tell him
that I'm nota home.''
"Mrs. Beaumont is not at home" said Bet.
ty, reappearing at the door.
~ suppose that means she is engaged
said the old man; II think she will sec me
when she learns my name, and who am
Tell her that am her husbands uncle, and
my name is Henry Beaumont"
"That old rag tag masters uncle! said Bet
ty, wonderingly; as she reascen ded the stairs.
"Good heavens! said the mistress I" ifit is
not that old vagrant that stro!led off years ago
nobody knows where. did hope he never
would come back sgain:
And now suppose he is poor as rat
and wants help. Well he won't get it i'll can
help it. but suppose Imust see him.
The lady descended, fully prepared to give
the visitor frigid reception.
'.lf I'm not mistaken" said the old man,
with feeling. "You are my nephew Alexan-
ders wife,.
'You are right, sir, am the wife of Alex.
ander Beaumont; and suppose from your
language you are
''His uncle Henry. All me, have been
gone many many years, and it does me good
to return once more among my kindred
'sThe old man leaned on his staff, and his fea'
lures worked couvulsively as thoughts Of the
past came over his mind, Mrs. Beaumont
stood holding the door as waiting for him Il
depart, she did not give him an invitation Il
enter.
'Is your husband well?" inquired the vi.i.
tor, looking in, As il he expected to be invi.
ted to enter and refresh himself after hia
walk by On interval Of rest.
'He is. If you have any message for him
yon may leave it with me, and will deliver
it," said Mrs. Beaumont, desirous Of Kidding
herself OF the intruder as speedily a. possible
"You may tell him that have callsd?" said
the visitor in disappointed tone, "and
would like to have seen him."
~ will tell him" and Mrs. Beaumont was
about to close the door.
"Hold! there 10 one question more. What
became Of Alexander's sister Anna?"
"She! I don't know much about her, was
the disdsinful reply; ':butI believe married
clerk, mechanic, or some such person. His
name is Lowe and he lives on Norton street.
Is that all.
"That is all.
The old man turned his steps toward the
street indicated with many forbodings lest
his second visit might be IS his first appeared
to be.
"Betty,' said Mrs. Beaumont, AZ she closed
the door, If that old fool comes here again
be sure and tell HIM l am not home"
Norton was not very fashionable street,
nor was the two story house occupied BY VIM.
Lowe either handsome or costly. It was
marked however BY an air Of ncatness which
indicated that the tenants were not regardless
Of eutwsrd appearances.
We will take the liberty ofintroducing you
into little sitting room whore Mrs. Lowe is
now seated. plain ssrviceabls carpet GOV,
ers the floor, and the rest Of the furniture.
not Of kind that would hardly be selected,
for drawing room, had comfortable homo
like appearance, which simply satisfied the
desires Of those who derived their happiness
from a,highsr and less mutable source than
outside show.
Mrs. Lowe was seated in rocking chair,