Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-06-15
TWO NEPHEWS.

At the parlor window OF pretty villa,
near Walton ou-Thames. sat, one evening,
st dusk an old man and young woman.
The age of the old man might be some sew
enty; while his companion had certainly
not reached nineteen. Her beautiful, bea
ming face, and active, light, and upright
figure. were in strong contrast with the worn
countenance and bent frame of the old man;
but in his eye, and in the corners of his
mouth, we're indications of a gay self-confi
dc3ce, which age and suffering had damped
but not extinguishcd.
No use looking any more, Mary" said
he; neither John Meade nor Peter Finch
will be here before dark. Very hard, that,
when a sick uncle asks his two nephews to
come and see him, they can't come at once.
The duty is simply in the extreme-only to
help lie to die, and lake what | choose to
le.ye them in my will POOH When I
w.s young man / d have done it for my
uncle With the utmost celebrity. But the
worlds getting mozt heartless y
Oh sir!' said Mary.
And what doe. Oh, sirI mean?" said
he. Dye think ahaD die / know bet
ter. 4 little more and there Ii be an end of
id Billy Coiett. He'll have left this dirty
world lor cleancr-to the great sorrow
and aivautage) Of his atFcctionate relatives,
JgLl Give ne a glass of the doctors
stuff.
The girl poured some medicine into
glass, and CoIlett, sitter having coatempla
ted It for u,culeut with infUite dissust.
managed to get il GoSn.
4 tell sou what, Miss Mary jayne, said
h7, i dou't by aay means approve Of your
Oh, sir and Dear sir, and the rest of 1t,
when I've told you how | hate to be called
SIR al. Why you could not be more re-
sPestfu If you we're charity girl and | =
b:ado iu gold laced hat None OF your
nonsense, Mary Jayne, if you please. I've
tesa your lawful guardian now for SIX
months, aud you ought TO know my ikiugs
aud d:siikings."
My poor father often told me how you
d,iikel ceremony, said Mary
Your poor father told you quite right,
saii 81. Collect. Fred. Jayne was man
O.ts!.ut-a capital fellowI His only fanlt
wa IA natural inability TO keep farthing in
his pocket Poor Fred he ioved me-i III
sure lie did. He bequesthcd me HE only
c:ii-aad il isn't every friend would do
lhat."
4 kind aud generous protector you have
iaen."
Well, doa't knew; I've tried not to be
5-uJ but L dare say have been. Don't
spe. kr0ughly to you sometimes? Haven't
l given you good, prudent, worldly advice
about John Meade, and made myself quite
disagTecabie, aud ike a guardian? Come,
confess you love this penuilcss nephew Of
mine"
'Psnniless, indeed p said Mary.
''Ah, there it is - said Mr. Collett. And
what business has poor devil of an artist
otall in love with ny ward? And what
BUSINESS has my ward to fall in love with
peer devil Of gu artist? But that's Fred.
Jayne daughter all overt Haven't l two
nephers? Why coulGn you fall in love
with the discreet Cue-ths thriving one
Peter Fitch considering he's an attorney
S JsaworiLy young man He is Industrious
'a the extreme, aud attends to other peo-
Ies business, only when he's paid for it.
lie despiscs sentiment, and always looks to
iae main chance But John Meade, my
GeaT Mary, may spoil canvass forever, and
not grow rich. He's all for art, and truth,
and social reform, and spiritual elevation,
and the Lord knows what. Peter Finch
vii ride in his carriage, aud splash poor
J5sn Meade as he trudges on foot -
Ihe horangue was here interrupted by a
rng Al the gate, and Mr. Peter Finch was
announced. He had scarcely taken his seat
when another pull at the bell was heard,
and Ar. John Meade was announced.
Mr.. Coilett eyed his two nephews with
queer sort OF a smile, whilst they made
speeches Of sorrow at the nature of their
visit. At last stopping them,
Enough, boys. enough" said he, let
US aad some better subject to discuss than
Tie state of an old mans health. l want
70 know little more about you both.
maven seen much of you up to the present
TINE, and, for anything l know, you may
oe rogues or fools
John Meade seemed rather to vince un
Der this address; but Mr. Finch sat calm
and confident.
10 put case, said Mr.. Collett; 'thi:
morning poor wretch of a gardner came
here begging. He could get no work, i
seems, and said he was starving Well,