South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-02-17
Thanksgiving Day.
By MRS. Z. ASDERToS.

one-company expected o-morrow-aud So
many preparations yet to make. Say am
engaged
Irene soon returned, with a darkened
brown and pout upon her pretty lips
laws, mamma what do you think
The old creature says he is papa brother "
.Oa, dear child! we have not heard of
him for years he must have died long
since
Go, mamma, confront the impostUr, and
order him out
stay, mamma Irene Suppose it should
be him , There was no certainty of his death
and papa sometimes wondered if he would
ever return
Mira had paused in her occupation of
busting and arranging the elegant parlor, 90
listen to the conversation.
Mira, are you not ashamed to put in your
word in opposition to mamma and sister
and YOU, the youngest ! exclaimed Resale,
the second daughter.
Mira did not heed the torrent of invec-
tiyes-probably she was used to them
but stood rejecting.
Mamma, now that remember, uncle's
name was Martin; it will bc easy to- prove
if this man is an impostor'
what fuss about an old beggar man
for am sure he is nothing else cried l.
rene - | 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. lie appear
ed worn AMI weary; gray, ashcn look had
settled on his face and his hair an1 beard
were of the same colOrless tint.
Brother IIeury's house, and not even
hidden to sit down! he was saying, as Mira
approach d.
please, sir will you tell me your namo p
My name, young lady, is Martin Dcs-
mond
Come in, dear uncle
She led him into the dining room, bu:
the old man gl,nccd down at his travel
stained garments.
'Too magnificent for poor backwoods-
man, he mu.tcred, his dusty shoes sinking
into the rich piled carpet, as he spoke.
sit down here, uncle, in this arm chair,
aud will bring you something to cat
Meanwhile, lhc party in the adjoining
room were listening, in an agony of sus-
pcnsc, lrcnc watching her mother, who was
pale with modification.
LIS no use Sinking the matter, girls :;
that is uncle Martins voice recognize
it, even after all these years. What's to be
done 2
'Oh, mamma and Leonard will be here
How though,less cf Mira.
Mira returned, having left the old man
eating the rcfrcshmcnt she had set before
him aud now the storm burst upon her
head
i am sorry, Mira, sorry indeed, that
have such an undutiful child
Mamma
You have simply ruined me, you ohsti-
nate, sclfw'lod child y cried Irene How
are we to get rid of the old wretch now
aud Tomorrow Thanksgiving Day What
will Leonard Graham, whose relations are
among the +. +. vs.. think Of him Aud
mammals sister, aunt Thaycr, who is 50 re-
fined and gcntcel, coming, and cousin
George with her
Irene, don't believe Leonard Graham
would wish you TO turn our dead father
only brother ont Of doors There is room
for him. as well as aunt Thayer aud II to-
morrow is Thanksgiving Day, we are the
more required to exercise Kindness and
charity
Then Rosnlje, who always took the pop
ulnr side, attacked Mira, and upbraided her
for bringing the tears into dear mamma s
eyes. with her unfeeliug illusions
But what is that p she cried, as n sound
oi footsteps was heard, crushing the dry,
fallen leaves beneath the window
4 L
bu' IL broke up the conference, and Mrs
Desmond found herself compelled - face
the uuweie1me Intruder, and attended by
her two eldest daughters, sailed msicsticll-
. u into the dining room.
Yes, 30 was her husband brother, Mar
tin, who had been uuhcarl Of during so ma
ny years-cver since be went out as n ri-
cuccr, the leader Of a brave little band, 90
tho Car West
sickness, aud accidents, and hariships
have left their marks upon me, Mary, said
the old man, in answer to bis sister-iu-llw's
cold, constrained greeting 'All Do not
4 bring back treasures though never thought
90 come amongst you So poor but bad
+ Henry been living he would have offered a
home where che weary pilgrim might lay
down bis staff and rest.
d regret 10 is not 10 my power 70 do so,
Martin, said Mrs Desmond, but really,
your brother died 10 circumstances far be-
meath what we expected
The widow put her handkerchief Co her
eyes. Whether q tear was caused bv the
aIlusi0u Co her husband death or 90 the
altered circumstances, may be ief 90 the
Imagination