The weekly North-Carolina standard., 1869-04-28

down to dreams of happiness on the hearth
| rug.
AN at once knock was heard at the
"Emma,n SAID the mother, "you may go
| to the door and see wloit Is"
Emma oheyed the mothers direction.
| rs Mrs Lowe at home,n inquired Henry
Beaumont-lor it was he.
J. Yes sir,p said Emma, "please walk IN,
and you may see her. Alps
So she ushered the old man into the COM
| Portable sitting room.
Mrs Lowe rose to receive him.
Il believe" said he, that Tn not mis-
taken in thinking that your name bef"re
| your marriage was Anna Beaumont"
"You are right, sir, that was my name"
And YOU have no recollection ot an uncle
who wandered away from home and friends,
and from whom no tidings have come for
! many long years"
Yves SIR. remember him well-my uncle
Henry, and have many times wished that
1 could learn something of him. Can you
| give me any information p
81 can, for am he"
You, nv uncle" said Mrs. Lowe IN sur
| prise; "then you are indeed welcome.
Emma, bring your uncle the arm chair, and
Mary bring your fathers slippers, for | am
sure that your uncle must long to get Oft his
heavy boots. And now, uncle when you
are thoroughly rested, must demand
recital of your adventures"
| but your brother Alexander" inter
rupted Mr.. Beaumont, let me first inquire
about him. He lives in the city, does he
not 2"
| "Yes," said she, she does live in the city
vet strange as it may appear, seldom or
never see him. He has succeeded well. and
! is wealthy; but ever since he married, with
wife, small property and greater pride.
! he has kept aloof from us. don't blame
him so much as his wife, who is said to have
a great influence over him. | have called
once, but she treated me so coldly that
| have no desire to renew my visit"
Il can easily believe it, for |, too, have
been repulsed,n was the reply.
You rcpulsed. Did you give your name
and inform her of your relation to her hus-
band 2"
81 did; but she did not invite me to en-
ter, and she was evidently anxious for me to
he gone; took the hint and here | am"
'fAt least, uncle" said Mrs Lowe, smil-
ing, "you need fear no repulse here"
"Ofthat l am quite sure" said the old
gentleman, looking affcctionately into the
face of his niece. But you have not told
me of your husband Let me know wheth-
er you have made good match," he added
playfully.
"That depends upon what is meant by
the term. II it implies rich husband, then
1 failed most certainly; for Williams salary
is only eight hundred dollars year, and
that is what we have to depend upon. But
that care not for. A kind and affectiOnate
husband is of far more worth than mag
nifcent dwelling and costly furniture"
"You are right" said her uncle, warmly.
"and infer that your husband is OF such a
character"
"He is in truth"
\ "Still,n continued her uncle, g are there
rot some things which your limited means
WI not permit you to o, tain, but which
would be deslrable9"
"Oh, yes" said Mrs. Lowe. 81 am snx-
ious to give Emma and Mary musical edu-
cation, but Williams means will not allow
of such piece of extravaganza as pur-
chase of piano; so that it is one of the
things that we must be content to deny our
selves"
Mr.. Lowe then entered, and being form
ed of the character of his visitor, extended
warm welcome. A comfortable repast was
uearuTfy. ms spirits rose, anu ne seemetI
grow younger as he saw the cheerful faces
around him, and felt himself at home.
Soon after the evening meal he arose to de-
part.
Surely you are not going2" said his
niece; 'you must take up your abode with
u.s."
1--WE will see about that, and if you don't
think you get tired of me, perhaps Pll come.
But have hired lodging, and must un-
doubtedly remain in it few days"
"But you must call in every day and
make yourself perfectly at home, even be-
fore you come iIere so stay" persisted his
niece ie
BE assured of that"
In accordance with his promise, MIR
Beaumont made his appearance next day al
about eleven o'clock. and wa received as
cordially as before. He had hardly been in
the house quarter of an hour when loud
rap was heard at the door. Mrs. Lowe an
1 swered it. She beheld two men who haC
driven up ina wagon.
"Where is the piano to be put, ma'am 2
they inquired.
"Piano You have made mistake, fo
we have not purchased piano."
Isn't your name Lower"
"Yes."
"Then it's all right. Jim, bear a hand
q for it's cnnfounded heavy"
But | am sure there must be some mis-
take" insisted the pcrplexed Mrs. Lowe
"Not at ALL" said voice behind her
She turned around in amazement There i
no mistake at all As you expressed wisl
yesterday for piano, thought it would b
as acceptable away as any.
"You uncle? Why-excuse me-but
thought from-from-"
Il "You mean," said he smiling, that
could not afford it. And l confess sait
he casting glance in the glass, THAT M
dress is not in the extreme Of fasion, and ii
fact I was Obliged to look some time whel
called at the second hand clothing stor
before l could find these. However. as
have got all the service that I wish ou
of them, I will throw them aside to-mol
row, and appear rather more respectabl
clad" at Ie So sssas 20
"Whatl are you wealthy, uncle ~
. depend upon it Anna didn't spen
ten years in the East Indies for nothing
was the reply.
: 81 had mind, however, to put on til
? appearance of poor man, and test the a
E fections and disinterestedness of my relt
tons. One of item, however" he adde
E significantly, Il found not at home; al
$ happy to find myself at home with I'll
+ other"
Let us return to the aristocratic Mr.
:. Beaumont, who few mornings succeedin
' the event here recorded, was in her drawin:
!. room receiving calls.
| D.