The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-02-25
Select Story.
NOT AT HOME.

An elderly man, shabbily attired, was
seen walking through one of the fash.
ionable streets in large city one cold
December day. His coat was of coarse
grey, aud had evidently seen hard ser.
vice, though still perfectly whole aud
neat. The traveller walked slowly along
as | have said, examining carefully as
he passed the names on the door plates.
lie finally paused before a dwelling of
snowy exterior, which if we may credit
the testimony of the plate upon the
door, was occupied by Alexander Beau
mont.
Alexander Beaumont! yes, that's
the house." murmured the traveller to
himself as he aseended the steps aud
rang the door bell
His summons was answered by SER
want who, alter moments scrunity
which apparently was not Of very ia.
vorably character, said roughly
"Well, sir, what do you want2"
"Is Mr.. Beaumont at home 2" asked
the old man, without needing the inten.
tional rudeness.
'No, sir, he is not"
"Then perhaps l can see his wife 7"
81 think it very doubtful, but will
go and see."
The servant withdrew without asking
the old man to enter, though the day
was very cold, and his clothing seemed
to be hardly sufficient to protect him
from its inclemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on a
fauteuil in room handsomely furnish.
ed. The last new magazine in her hand,
and her eyes were listlessly glancing
over its pages. She was interrupted 10
her reading by the entrance of the scr.
want.
"Well, what now, Betty ?" she in.
quired.
"There is n man down stairs wants to
see you, ma'am."
"Man! gentleman you mean 2"
"No, ma am" said Betty, stoutly, for
she well understood what made up gen.
tlemen in the conventional sense OF the
term; sit isn't gentleman at all, for
he's got on al old gray coat and he has
not got any gloves ou."
"What can he want of me?"
IL don't know; he inquired after Mr..
Beaumont first"
"You didn't bring him in the parlor.
did your"
The girl shook her head"
"You did right, aud you'd better tell
him I'm not ut home"
Mrs. Beaumont is not at home"
said Betty, re 4ppearing to the door.
81 suppose that means she is engar-
ed, said the man Il thiuk she will
see me when she learns who am. Tell
her | am her husbands uncle, aud my
name is Henry Beaumont"
THAT old rag tag masters uncle"
said Betty, wondering as she reasccnded
the stairs.
"Good heaven J! said her mistress,
"if it amt that old veteran who strolled
of years ago nobody knows where. l
did hope he never would come back
again. And now | suppose be is as
poor as rat and wants help. Well, he
won't get it if | can help il but | sup
pose / must see him."
The lady descended, fully prepared
to give the visitor irigia reception.
I'm not mistaken, said the old man,
with feeling. "'fis Alexander s WIFE"
"You are right, sir. l am the wife
Of Mr.. Alexander Beaumont, and sup
pose from you language you are"
"His uncle Henry. All, me have
been gone many years, and ii does me
good TO return 10 my kindred"
The old man leaned on his staff, aud
his features looked copvplsively us
thoughts of the past came over his
mind Mrs. Beaumont stood holding
the door as il waiting for him to depart.
She did not give him any invitation to
enter.
"Is your husband we'll I" inquired
the visitor, looking 10, as If he expected
an invitation to enter and refresh him.
self after his walk by an interval Of
rest.
aHe is. Ifyou have any mes age