Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-02-02

From Philadelphia Saturday Night.
Thanksgiving Day.
BY MRS. K. ANDERT0N.

ooh, mamma, such meaply-dressed old
man is inquiring for you ! said Irene, the
eldest daughter of Mrs. Desmond.
who is he and what does he want
Now really have not time to see any one
company expected to-morrow-and so
many preparations yet to make. Say
am engaged
Irene soon returned, with darkened
brow and pout upon her pretty lips.
Laws, mamma what do you think
The old creature says he is papa's brother !!
oh, dear child we have not heared Of
him for years he must have died long
since
Go, mamma, confront the impostor,
and order him outP
Stay, mamma! Irene! Suppose il
should be him There was no certainty Of
bis death, and papa sometimes wondered
if he would ever return
Mira had paused in her occupation Of
busting and arranging the elegant parlor,
to listen to the conversation.
Mira, are you not ashamed to put in
your word in opposition to mamma and
sister :? and you, the youngest exclaim-
ed Rosale, the second daughter.
Mira did not heed the torrent of invec-
tives-probably she was used to them
but stood rejecting.
Mamma, now that remember, uncle 8
name Was Martin it will be easy to prove
if this man is an impostor.'
What fuss about an old beggar man!
for l am sure he is nothing else.' cried
Irene. SO l shall say you are engaged,
mamma and do you, Mira. 60 on with
your work.
But Mira had slipped from the room.
and was already in the passage, where the
old man had been left standing. He
appeared worn and weary gray. ashen
look had settled on his face, and his hair
and beard were of the same colorless tint.
Brother Henry's house, and not even
hidden to sit down ! he was saying, as
Mira approached.
Please, sir, will you tell me your name?'
'My name, young lady. is Martin Des-
mond.'
Come in, dear uncle
She led him into the dining room, but
the old man glanced down at his tarves-
stained garments.
Too magnificent for poor back woods
man. he muttered. his dusty shoes sink
ing into the rich, piled carpet, as he
spoke.
sit down here, uncle. in this arm chair
and 1 will bring you something to eat
Meanwhile, the party in the adjoining
room were listening, in an agony of sus-
pense, Irene watching her mother, who
was pale with modification.
It's no use shrinking the matter, girls;
that is uncle Martins voice. I recognize
it. even after all these years. What's to
be done 2
oh, mamma and Leonard will be here!
How thoughtless of Mira !
Mira returned, having left the old man
eating the retreshment she had set before
him and now the storm burst upon her
head.
L am sorry, Mira, sorry indeed, that I
have such an undutiful child
Mamma
'Yoa have simply ruined me. you OBJ
stinate, selfwilled child" cried Irene
How are we to get rid of the old wretch
now and tomorrow Thaugsgiving Day !!
What will Leonard Graham. whose rela-
tions are among the F. f. VS. think Of
him ? And mammals sister, aunt Thayer,
who is so refnd and geEteel, coming, and
cousin George with berp
Irene, don't believe Leonard Graham
would wish you to turn our dead fathers
only brother out Of doors There is room
for him, as we'll as aun. Thay er and if
to morrow is Thanksgiving Day, we are
the more required to exercise kindness
and charity.
Then Resale. who always took the
popular side, attacked Mira. and upbrid-
ed her for bringing the tears into dear
mammals eyes, with her uufeeling allu-
sions.
But what is that? she cried, as a
sound of footsteps was heard. crushing the
dry, fallen leaves beneath the window.
She looked out. No one was to be
seen, but it broke up the conference, and
Mrs. Desmond found herself compelled to
face the unwelcome intruder, and atten-
ded by her two eldest daughters. sailed
majestically into the dining room.
Yes, it was her husbands brother,
Martin, who has been unheard Of during
so many years--eyer since be went out as
. pioneer, the leader Of brave little band
to the far West.
Sickness, and accidents, and hardships
have left their marks upon me. Mary said
the old mau,ip answer to bis slater n.law's
cold. aoaatrsined greeting. All do not
bring back treasures, though / nsvsr
thopght to come amongst you 20 poor ;
bu. had Henry been living. he would have