The weekly North-Carolina standard., 1869-04-28
SELECTED STORY.
NOT AT.HOME.

i'm Fc NOT Al HOMEs
An elderly man, shahbily attired, was
seen walking through one of the fashionable
streets in a. large city, one cold December
morning, supported by a large staff which
he firmly orasped in one hand, while from
his other swung his bundle wrapped in u
coarse cotton handkerchief. His coat was
of coarse grey, and had evidently seen hard
service though perfectly whole and neat.
The traveller walked slowly along, examin-
ing carefully the names ON the door plates.
He finally paused before dwelling of snowy
interior. which, five credit the testimony Of
the plate upon the door was occupied by
Alexander Beaumont.
Alexander Beaumont yes, that's the
house, murmured the traveller to himself
as he descended the stairs and rang the door
bell. g..,ts.- w.. ..g,..
His summons was answered by a servant,
who, after moments scrutiny, which APP
parently was not of very favorable char
acter, said roughly
"Wel, sir, what do you want?'
"Is Mr.. Beaumont at home2" said the
cid man, without needing the Intentional
rudeness.
"No, sir, he is not" s1
"Then perhaps can see his wife 2"
az think it is very doubtful, but will
see," and the servant withdrew, without in
viting the old man to enter, though the day
was cold, and his clothing seemed hardly
sufficient to protect him from its inelemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on fauteuil
in a room handsomely furnished. The hast
new Magazine was in her hand, and her
eve was listlessly glancing over its pages.
She was interrupted in her reading by the
~ntrance of the servant.
We'll, what now, Betty? she inquired.
lI-,re is a man down stairs that wants
20 see you ha'am." 7--r
man! gentleman you mean"
mo, ma'am,n said Betty stoutly, for she
well understood what mado up gentlemen
In the conYenti,trur sense of the term IS it is
not gentleman at all, for he's got an old
grey coat and doesn't wear gloves" 70
What can he want of me 2" 1s
ISdon't know, sure; he inquired after
Mr.. Beaumont frstn
"You didn't bring him intn thn r,arlnr,
did you ~ rhli, t..-- .rt ...-
The girl shook her head.
"You didright, and you'd better tell him
I'm not at home"
"Mrs. Beaumont is not at home," said
Betty. repairing to the door.
That means she is engaged" said the
old man; I" but believe she will let me in
when she knows who am Tell her that l
am her husbands uncle, and that my name
is Henry Beaumont"
"That old rag-tag masters uncle, said
Betty wonderingly, as she re-ascended the
stairs.---@-----,--
"Good Heavens!" said her mistress, "i if
it isn't the old vagrant who strolled off many
years ago, nobody knows where. did hope
he never would return again. And now
suppose he's poor as a rat and wants help.
Well, he wont get it if can help it, but /
supposed must see him.
The lady descended fully prepared to give
him frigid reception.
."ff am not mistaken" said the old man
with feeling, "'Tis my nephew Alenander's
wife"
" You are right, sir. am the wife of Mr..
Alexander Beaumont, and l 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.n
The OLD man leaned on his staff, and his
features worked cohyulsively as thoughts Of
mont stood holding the door as if waiting
an invitation to enter and refresh himself
after his walk, by an interval OF rest.
SIS Mr.. Beaumont in town2''
"'He is. you nave any message for him
deliver it." said Mrs Beaumont, desirous o
Kidding herself of the intruder as soon
possible Ia u .ssf
"You may tell him have called" salt
fha old mon in fono Non.
that would like to have seen him."
81 will tell him." and Mrs Beaumont wa
about to close the door g's'b
'"Hold there is but one question more
what has become of Alexander's siste
Anna - ---,..-.a-
'She I don't know much about her,
was the rather disdainful reply but be
lieve she married clerk, mechanic or som
other such person. His name is Love- an
he lives in Norton street. Is that all 2"
ssSfhat is all )" and the old man turned hi
steps toward the street indicated, with man
torebodings lest his second visit should b
as unwelcome as his first appeared to be.
Betty said Mrs. Beaumont, as 81
closed the door, "if that old fool com.
here again be sure and tell him am not
home" -S1 ar
4NOIION SticeI WAS lOC II IaSillOndDle stree
nor Wasithe two story building occupied /
William Lowe.either fashionable or. cost
1t was marked however, by an air of nea
ness, which indicated that its tenants wei
not regardless of outward appearance
Wewill take the liberty to introduce tt
reader into little sitting room where MI
Lowe and her three children were seate
Aplain, servicable carpet covered the foe
and the remainder of the furniture, thoue
of a kind which could hardly be selected i
drawing room. had a comfortable HON
like appearance, which simply satisfied Il
desire of those who derived their happine
from q higher and less mutual source ths
outside show.
Mrs Lowe was seated in a rocking chai
engaged in an employment. which ii
aware is tabooed in all fashionable societ
mean darning stockings.
Emma, girl of ten, was brushing up Il