Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-08-19
The Story Teller,
NOT AT HOME.

walking through one OF the most fashionable
streets in large city one cold December NOR
ming, g,supported by large staff which he firm
ly grasped in one hand, while from the other
swung his bundle wrapped up in a 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, carefully
examining the door plates. He finally
paused before dwelling of showy exterior,
which, If we credit the testimony of the
plate upon the door, was occupied by Alex
ander Beaumont.
Alexander Beaumont! yes, that's the
house, murmered the traveller to himself as
he assembled the stairs and rang the door
bell.
His summons was answered by servant,
who, after moments scrutiny, which ap-
parently was not of very favorable charac-
ter, said roughly
i" Well, sir, what do you want?"
lis Mr.. Beaumont at homer" said the cid
man, without needing the intentional rude
ness.
:" mo, sir, he is not"
"Then perhaps can see his wiie?'
:" think it is very doubtful, but will
see," and the servant withdrew. without in
viting the man to enter, though the day was
cold, and his clothing seemed hardly sufil-
cient to protect him from its inclemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on a fauteil
in room handsomely furnished. The last
new magazine was in her hand, and her eye
was listlessly glancing over its pages. She
was interrupted in her reading by the en-
trance of the servant.
" Well, what now, Betty?" she inquired
"Thcrcs 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 gentlemen
in the conventional sense of the term it's
not gentleman at all, for he's got an old
grey coat and doesn I wear gloves"
What does he want of ne p
81 don't know, sure; he inquired after
Mr.. Beaumont first.
"You didn't bring him into the parlor, did
you9"
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, repairing to the door.
''That means she is engaged" said tie old
man "but believe she will let me in when
she knows who am. Tell her that am
her husbands uncle, and that my name is
Henry Beaumont"
"That old rag-tag masters uncle" sale
Betty, wonderingly, as she reascended the
stairs.
"Good heavcns!" said her mistress, ''if il
isn't that old vagrant who strolled off many
years ago, nobody knows where. did hope
he'd never return again. And now sup
pose he's poor as a rat and wants help.
We'll, he won't get it if can help it, but
suppose must see him."
The lady descended, fully prepared to
give him a rigid reception.
''If am not mistaken, said the old man,
with feeling, "'Tis my nephew Alexander's
wife"
You are right,sir am the wife OF Mr..
Alexander Beaumont, and l suppose from
your language you arc"
81 His uncle Henry. All, me! 1 have
been gone many, many years, and it does
me good to return once more among my
kindred"
The old man leaned on his staff, and his
features worked conyulsively as thoughts o.
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 al
invitation to enter.
"Is your husband well ?" inquired the
visitor, looking in, as if he expected m in
vitation TO enter and refresh himself aftel
his walk, by an interval of rest.
He Is not. If you have any message
for MIN you may leave it with me, and
will deliver it, said Mrs. Beaumont, dc
sirous of riddlng herself of the intruder as
soon as possible.
"You may tell him that have called,
said the old man, in a disappointed tone
"and that would like TO have seen him.
81 will tell him." and Mrs. Beaumon
was about to close the door.
"Hold there is but one question more
what has become Of Alexauder's sister An
mar"
"She don't know much about her,
was the rather disdainiul reply; "but l be
lievc she married clerk, mechanic, or som,
such person. His name is Lowe, and be live
in Norton street. Is that all ?"
"That is ALL" And the old man turned hi
steps towards the street indicated, with man.
forbodings lest his second visit should be IA
unwelcome as his first appeared 10 be.
"Betty, said Mrs. Beaumont,a as she close,
the door, "if that old fool comes here agaii
be sure and tell him 1 am not at home"
Norton street was not fashionable street
nor was the two story building occupied b,
William Lowe, either fashionable or costly
1t was marked, however, by an air Of neat
ness, which indicated that its tenants wer
not regardles of outer appearance.
We will take the liberty to introduce til
reader into little sitting room where Mrs
Lowe and her three children were seated.
plain, serviceable carpet covered the floor
and the remainder of the furniture, though Q
kind which could hardly be selected for
drawing room, had comfortable homelils
appearance, which simply satisfied the desir
of those who derived their happiness from
} higher and less mutual source than outsid
show.
Mrs. Lowe was seated in rocking chail
engaged in an employment which l al
, aware is tabood in all fashionable society.
mean darning stockings
Emma, girl of ten was brushing up III
hearth, which the ashes of the crate,
| which blazing fire was burning, had soms
what disordered, while Mary, who was eigh
was reading. Charley, little rogue of fly,
with smiling face, which could not hel
r looking rougish, was stroking the cat Il
! wrong way,to the disturbance ofpoor 1abb
u who had quietly settled herself down
: dreams of happiness on the hearth rug.