Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-08-18
NOT AT HOMEt

Judging Vv Apnenrnurcs
An elderly man. shabbily attired, was seen
walking through one OF the fashionable streets
IN large city one cold December morning
supported by large staff which he grasped
firmly IN one hand, while from his other
swung his bundle wrapped in a coarse cotton
handkerchief Ills coat was OF coarse grey,
ana had evidently seen hard service, though
perfectly whole and neat. The traveller walked
slowly along examining carefully the names
on the door plates. He finally paused before
a dwelling Of snowy exterior, which, if we
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 ascended the stairs and rang the door bell.
His summons was answered by a servant,
who alter a moments scrutiny, which appar-
emily was not of a very favorable character,
said roughly:
" Wen sir what do want ?"
"ls Mr.. Beaumont at home ?' said the old
man, without needing the intentional rudeness.
d" No sir, he is not
" Then perhaps | can see his wife ?"
" think 1T very doubtful, but will see, -
and the servant withdrew without inviting
the old man to enter, though the day was
cold, and his clothing seemed hardly sufficient
to protect him from its inolemency
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on a fauteuil
in a room handsomely furnished. The last
new Magazine was in her hand, and her eyes
were listlessly glancing over its pages She
was interrupted in her reading by the en-
trance OF the servant.
" Well, what now, Betty?' she inquired.
"Ihere's man down stairs that wants to
see you, ma am"
Man = a gentleman you mean"
No, ma'am, said Betty stoutly, for she
well understood what made up gentleman
in the conventional sense Of the term "it
isn't gentleman at all, for he's got an old
grey coat and doesn't wear any gloves"
What can he want Of me ~
don't know, sure be inquired for Mr..
Beaumont first
] GU didn't bring him in the parlor, did
you
The girl shook her head.
You did right, and you'd better tell him
I'm not at home
" Mrs. Beaumont IS not at home, said
Betty, returning to the door.
" l suppose that means she Is engaged, y
said the old man but believe she will let
me IN when she knows who l am. Tell her
that | am her husbands uncle, and my name
IS Henry Beaumont
That Old rag tag masters uncle said
Betty IN wonder, as she re-asc9nded the stairs.
Good heavens :" said her mistress, " if it
isn't that old vagrant that strolled off many
years ago, nobody knows where. | did hope
he never would return again. And now |
suppose | must see him.
The lady descended fully prepared to give
him frigid reception
" If I'm not mistaken said the old man,
with feeling, " 'tls my nephew Alexander's
Wife,
=" You are right, sir. | am the wife Of Mr..
Alexander Beaumont, and suppose from
your language you are
His uncle Henry. An me have been
gone many, many years, and 1t does me good
to return once more among my kindred
The old man leaned on his staff and his
features worked conyulsiyely as thoughts of
the past came over his mind. Mrs. Beau
mont stood holding the door as if waiting for
him to depart, She did not give him an invi-
taton to enter.
Is your husband well ?" inquired the yisi-
tor, looking in, as if he expected an invitation
to enter, and refresh himself after his walk
by an interval of rest.
3" He is. If you have any message for
him, you may leave it with me, and | will
deliver it," said Mrs. Beaumont desirous of
ridding herself Of the intruder as soon as pos
sible
You may tell him | have called" said
the visitor in disappointed tone, st and that
| would like to have seen him.
81 will tell him." and Mrs. Beaumont was
about to close the door.
Hold there is one question more
What has become of Alexander's sister
Anna ?"
don't know much about her." was the
rather disdanful reply; but believe she
married a clerk, mechanic, or some other such
person. His name is Lowe and he lives on
Norton street. Is that all ~
That is all, and the old man turned his