The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-05-19
NOT AT HOME,

veler walked slowly around, as have said.
examining carefully as he passed the names
on the ,door-plates., He finally paused be.
fore dwelling of snowy exterior, which, if
we may credit the testimony of the plate
upon the door, was occupied by Alexander
Beaumont.
Alexander Beaumont Yes, that's the
house, Z" murmured the traveller to himself,
as he ascended the steps and rang the door
bell. -ae
His summons was answered by a servant,
who, after q moments scrutiny, which ap-
parently was not Of very favorable charac-
ter, said roughly:
Swell, sir, what DO you want?"
sis Mr. Beaumont at homer" asked the
old man, without needing the intentional
rudeness.
'No, sir, he is not"
''Then, perhaps, can see his wife?'
II 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 in
clemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on fan
teuil in room handsomely furnished. The
last new magazine was in her hand, and her
eyes were istlessly glancing over its pages.
She was interrupted in her reading by the
entrance of the servant.
swell, what now, Betty?" she inquired.
ssThere Is man down stairs wants to see
you. ma'am."
''Man gentleman you mean!"
..No. ma'am, said Betty, stoutly, for she
we'll understood what made up gentlemen
isn't gentleman at all, for he's got on an
old grey coat, and he has not got any gloves
on"
"What can he want of me?"
Il don't know; ho inquired after Mr..
Beaumont first"
.'You didn't bring him in the parlor, did
you?"
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, re-appearing at the door.
81 suppose that means she is engaged" 1"
said the old man; 'I think she will see me
when she learns who am. Tell her am
her husbands uncle, and my name is Henry
Beaumont"
''That old rag-tag masters uncle" said
Betty, wondering as she ascended the
stairs.
sGood heavens!" said her mistress, sit
amt that old veteran who strolled off years
ago, nobody knows where. I did hope he
never would come back again. And now,
suppose, he is as poor as rat and wants
help. Well, he won't get it if I 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, it's Alexander's wife?"
''You are right, sir. I am the wife of
Mr.. Alexander Beaumont, and I suppose
from your language you are"
ellis Uncle Harry. ALI me! have been
gone so many years, and it does me good to
return to my kindred"
The old man leaned upon his staff, and
hisfeatrres worked convulsively, as thoughts
of the past came over his mind. Mrs.
Beaumont stood holding the door, as if
waiting for him to depart She did not
give him any invitation to enter
sis your husband well?" inquired the
visitor, looking in as if he expected an invi-
tatlon to enter and refresh himself after his
walk by an interval OF rest.
III you have any message for him You
may leave it with me, and will deliver it, -
said Mrs. Beaumont, desirous of ridding
herself of the intruder as speedily as pos
sible.
'.You may tell him + have called" said
the visitor in disappointed tone, ''and
that would like to have seen him."
II will tell him. and Mrs. Beaumont was
about to close the door.
''Hold! there is one question more What
has become of Alexander's sister Anna?"
II don't know much about her." was the
rather disdainful reply; but 1 think she
married a clerk, mechanic or some such per-
son. His name is Lowe, and he lives in
Norton street. Is that all?"
That is ALL"
The old man turned his steps towards the
street indicated, with many forebodings lest
his second visit might be as unwelcome as
his first appeared to be
Betty" said Mrs. Beaumont, as she
closed the door, ''ii that old fool comes
again, be sure and not forget to tell him ]