The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-01-29
Tlle Albang ge9ister,
Not at Home.

SSH'DNA AAOi I'LL u
staff firmly grasped in one hand, while |
from the other swung his bundle, wrapped |
up in coarse cotton handkerchief. His I
coat was OF coarse gray, and had evident |
ly seen hard service, though perfectly |
whole and neat. The traveller walked |
slowly along, carefully examining the
door-plates. He finally paused before
door 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
His summons was answered by ser
want, who, after a moments scrutiny,
which apparently was not OF very ia
vorable character. said roughly: "Well,
sir, what do you want ?"
'sls Mr.. Beaumont at home p SAID the
old man, without needing the intentional
rudeness
'sNo, sir, he is not"
''Then perhaps | can see his wife 2"
~ think it is very doubtful, but L will
see,' and the servant withdrew without
inviting the man to enter, though the
day was cold and his clothes seemed
hardly sufficient to protect him from its
inclemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on fau-
tell, In a room handsomely furnished.
The last new magazine was in her hand,
she was glancing over its pages. She
was interrupted in her reading by the
entrance of her servant. ''Well, what
now, Betty 2" she inquired
''There's man down stairs that wants
tie see you, ma a'am.'
tsMan gentleman, you mean
sNo, ma am" said Betty stoutly, for
she we'll understood what made up gen
tlemen in the conventional sense OF the
term ''it's not a gentleman at all, for
he's got on an old gray coat and doesn't t
wear gloves"
ssWhat does he want of me =
"rI don't know he inquired after Mr..
Beaumont first
ssYou didn't bring him into the parlor.
The girl shook her head
'You did right-you had better tell
him I'm not at home.
Mrs. Beaumont is not at home,' said
Betty, repairing to the door
''That means she is engaged" said the
old man. 'but believe she will let me
in when she knows who l am. Tell her
that I am her husbands uncle, and that
my name is Henry Beaumont"
THAT old rag tag masters uncle,
said Betty, wo.deringly, as she re-ascend-
ed the stairs.
"Good heavens p said her mistress,
ssif it isn't that old vagrant who strolIed
off many years ago, nobody knows where
/ hoped he'd never return again. And
now I suppose he's poor as a rat and
wants help. Well, he won't get it if l
can help it, but l suppose l must see
him."
The lady descended fully prepared to
give him frigid reception. elf I am
not mistaken" said the old man, with
feeling, It's my nephew, Alexander 5
wife"
"You are right, sir. am the wife of
Mr. Alexander Beaumont, and suppose
from your language you are
ellis uncle Henry. All me . l 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
his features worked cenvulsively 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 an invitation to
enter.
tIs your husband we'll ?" inquired the
visitor, looking as if he expecsed an in
vitation to enter and refresh himself after
his walk by an interval of rest
"He IS If 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
soon as possible.
.You may tell him l called" said the
old man, in disappointed tone, ''and
that | would like to have seen him"
Il will tell him." and Mrs. Beaumont
was about to close the door.
"Hold there is but one more cues
tion, what has become of Alexander
sister, Anna 2"
"She, / don't know much about her.
was the rather disdainful reply; ssbut ]
believe she married clerk, mechanic o,
some such person. His name is Lowe
and he lives in Norton street. Is thai
all ?"
"That is all, y and tn, old man turned
his steps toward the street indicated, will
many forebodings lest his second visi
should be as unwelcome as his first an
peared to be.
.Betty," said Mrs. Beaumont, as sh,
closed the door, 'sif that old fool come
here again, be sure and tell him am no
at home"
Norton street was not Fashionable
street, nor was the two story building oc
cupied by William Lowe either fashiona
BILE or costly. 1t was marked, however
by an air of neatness, which indicated
that its tenants were not regardless o
outer appearance.
We will take the liberty to introduce
our reader into little sitting room wher
Mrs Lowe and her three children wer
seated A plain, serviceable carpet GOV
cred the floor, and the remainder of th
furniture, though of kind which couI,
hardly be selected for drawing-room
had comfortable home-like appearance
which simply satisfied the desire of thos
,uho darivad their hanniness from a h;rb