The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-07-02
MisGella n&nMs.
Not at Home.

An elderly man, shabbily attired, was
seen walking through one of the fashion,
able streets in large city one cold Deem
Der day. His coat was of coarse grey, and
had evidently seeen hard service, though
still perfectly whole and neat. The tray
eler walked slowly along, as l have said
examining as he passed the names on the
door-plates He finally paused before a
dwelling of snowy exterior, which, if we
may credit the testimony of the plate upon
t1.o dvv4, ro.s occupied W Al~Aaiiuer
Beaumont.
alexander Beaumont! yes that's the
house." murmured the traveller to himself
as he assembled the steps and rang the door
bell.
His summons was answered by a servant,
who, after moments scrutiny, which APP
parently was not OF very favorable char
acter, said roughly
"Well, sir, what do you want?"
as Mr.. Beaumont at home? ?" asked the
old man, without needing the Intentional
rudeness.
mo, sir, he is notl
"Then perhaps l can see his wife ~
IL think it is very doubtful, but l will
go and see."
The servant withdrew without asking
the old man to enter, though the day was
very cold, and his clothing seemed hardly
sufficient to protect him from the inclem-
ency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on a fan
tieul in 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 read
ing by the entrance of the servant.
"Well, what now, Betty 2" she inquired.
"There is man down stairs wants to
TO see you, maam."
"Man! gentleman you meant"
"No, ma'am'' said Betty, stoutly, for she
well understood what made up gentlemen
in the conventional sense of the term; '':t
isn't gentleman at all, for he's got on an
old grey coat, and he has not any gloves
on"
. "What can he want of me ?"
81 don't know, he inc uired after Mr..
Beaumont first"
"You didn't bring him in the parlor,
did you"
The girl shook her head.
'sYou did right and you'd better tell
him I'm not at home"
Mrs Beaumont is not at home,n said
Betty reappearing at the door.
~ suppose that means she is engaged y
said the old man; ~ think she will see me
when she learns who | am. Tell her | am
her husbands uncle and my name is Hen
ny Beaumont"
THAT old rag-tag masters uncle" said
Betty, wondering as she re-ascended the
stairs.
"Good heavens" said the mistress, "it
amt that veteran who strolled off years age
nobody knows where; Tdid hope he never
would come back again. And now l sup
pose he is as poor as rat and wants help.
Well he won't get it if can help it, but
suppose | must see him"
The lady descended, fully prepared to
give the visitor frigid reception.
''I'm not mistaken" said the old man
with feeling. Its Alexanders wife"
You are right, sir. l am the wife Of
Alexander Beaumont, and suppose from
your language you are-.-"
His uncle Henry. All me have been
gone so many years, and it does me good
to return to my kindred"
The old man leaned on his staff, and his
features worked convulsively as thoughts
of the past came over his mind. Mrs
Beaumont stood holding the door as il
waiting for him to depart She did moi
give him any invitation to enter.
Is your husband well'9 inquired the yisi.
tor, looking in, as if he expected an invita-.
ton to enter and refresh himself after his
walk, by an interval of rest.
she is. If 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 as speed
lily as possible.
"You may tell him have called" said
the visitor in a disappointed tone, "and
that | would like to have seen him."
81 will tell him Z, and Mrs Beaumont