The Van Buren press., 1869-03-09
MISCELLANY.
NOT At HOME.

al ciucti1 HCuliSn"hs nhsbbtiy etuic',
was seen walking through one of the fash
ionable streets in large city one cold
December morning, supported by large
staff which he grasped firmly in one hand,
while from his other swung a bundle
wrapped in course cotton handkerchief
His coat was of course grey, and had
evidently seen hard service, though per.
feetly whole and neat The traveller
walked slowly along as / have said, ex-
aiming carefully as he passed 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 assembled the stairs and rang the
door bell .......H .. ... ...-
His summons was answered by sery-
ant who after moments scrutiny, which
apparently was not of very favorable
character, said roughly
"Well sir, whs. do you want 2"
"Is Mr.. Beaumont at home 2 said the
old man, without needing the intention
al rudeness. .. - ..
"No sir, he is not" r. ..
Then perhaps l can see his wife p
II think it very doubtful, but ! will
Sec" 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
inclemency, ....,.r........i. ...-.....
Mrs Beaumont was reclining on q fan.
.~.;i -, - y..e.e.-. h~--i----s'y- 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 entrance of the servant
"Well, what now, Betty ?" she inqulr-
"The-e is man down stairs wants to
see you ma'am.' ae.nu.s ,HF..ga slf b.
Man a gentleman you mean. i....
"No, ma am" said Betty, stoutly, for
she well understood what made up gen.
tlemen in the conventional sense of the
term !" it isn't gentleman, at all, for he's
got on an old grey coat and doesn't wear
any gloves
" What can he want of me-" a..
Il don't know. sure; he inquired after
Mr. Beaumont first" ' F..|5I
You didn't bring him in the parlor,
did your" The girl shook her head.
"You did right, and you'd better tell
him I'm not at home 7sseg 81.
Mrs. Beaumont is not at home" said
Betty repairing to the door 4-.......
"I suppose that means she is engaged"
said the old man; "but | believe she will
see me when she knows who am. Tell
her that am her husbands uncle, and
my name is Henry Beaumont"
THAT old rag tag masters uncle"
said Betty wonderingly as she reasccnd.
ed the stairs.
GOOD heavcnsw said her mistress.
"if it isn't the old vagrant that strolled
off many years ago nobody knows where,
did hope he never would return again
And now | suppose he is as poor rs raj
and wants help. Well, he won't get it II
| can help it. but ! suppose l must SEE
him" ..... .....f'' ............, ..,
The lady descended fully prepared &c
give the visitor frigid reception.
"Pm not mistaken" said the old man
with feeling, {" tbs my nephew Alexander
wife" ....s.q. a.... .-.....
You are right sir. am the wife o.
Mr.. Alexander Beaumont; aud 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"
The old man leaned on his staff and hi
features looked convulsively a. thought:
Of the past came over his mind. Mrs
Beaumont stood holding the door as /
waiting for him to depart. She did no
give him an invitation to enter.
:" Is your husband well? ?" inquired Oh,
visitor, looking in, as il he expected al
invitation to enter, and refresh himsel
after his walk, by an interval Of rest.
"He is. IL you have any message fol
him, you may leave it with me, and will
deliver it, said Mrs Beaumont. DESTROYS
Of Kidding herself Of the intruder a. sool
as possible. .i no '0L ..'
You may tell him I have called,
said the visitor In a disappointed tone
/" and that would like to have seen him
." will tell him g and Mrs Dsaumon
was about to close the door
"Hoid there is one question more
What has became Of Alexaudcr's siste
AnnaY'
"She ! don't know much about her,
war the rather disdsinful reply; "but
believed she married clerk. mechanic
or some such person. His name IL Low
and he lives on Norton street. IL tia
all I" ...,.
"That 10 ALL" and the oh man turneo
his steps toward the street indicated. witt
many forsbodings lest his second visi
should DO ~ unvelooms % his 6rst sp
peEed tohs du ea. TO 700.