Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-05-31
Oh, UNCLE sENED1Crs GIFT.

tlemsn, kissing Rachel on both cheeks.
And she thought he was not so terrible Aftsi
all.
He turned to Hugh when he had thus unoere.
mouiously made himself acquainted with bis
z new niecs-in.lAw. u " - y tr'lT -
"Well. young msn,you are ready to 20 homer
he asked, bIusquely for be 1t known that the
old gentleman had given Hugh and Rachel 4
wedding present Of new house, wherein they
were to live.
"ouite, sir" Hugh answered oheerily.
Shall ii be tomorrow"
IAN right" .-sA
And Mr. Benedict sat down to spend the even
ing and enjoy himself.
swell, cir, said Hugh, when his uncle was
taking leave and paused on the hotel steps TO
i.Well sir1" said Uncle Benedict, calmly.
"How do you like herr" said Hugh.
"How can tell?" demanded the old gentle
man irritably. shes pretty to look at so is .
prettiest cslcoes that wash the best. Good eve
ming
And Hugh Benedict, albeit he was very fond
Of his uncle, did not know whether to be vexed
or not.
Early the next morning, however. Uncle Ben
made his appearance, breathless and eager.
Trunks packed, eh7"
"All but the last one, uncle"
And Rachel lifted her pretty head out Of the
tray, as you may have seen red clover blossom
rise up from beneath childs footstep.
I'm going to take you down myself my dear, :"
said Uncle Ben. Hugh, l want you to 20 by
express to Liverpool with these letters. They're
of Importance. I'd go myself il were ten years
younger but sudden journeys don't agree with
old bones like mine.
Hugh looked aghast.
Rachel turned pale.
"Canpot the businsss be postponed, sir ?"
said Hugh, heeitatingly.
mo, il can't" replied Uncle Ben, curtly .'If
you don't want to go say so. dare say can
hnd some one elee to oblige me !"
"of course shall go. said Hugh. "But Rsch-
el-."
II suppose I'm old enough 70 take care Of
little girl like that" said Uncle Bon. in an ag-
grieved tone You'll find us both in the new
home, with the kettle boiling, and the table set
for tea when you come back |"
So there was nothing for it but for Hugh to
kiss his little bride g half-soore of times, and
commission Uncle Ben to take the best possible
care OF her until he should return.
Foolish childrenl" said Mr.. Benedict as he
raw Rachel s0bbing on Hugh's shoulder.
But there was 3 CHEEKY twinkle iu his own
keen gray eyes nevertheless
Poor little girl the atmosphere had lost some-
what OF it's sparkle, aud the world looked less
bright as she journsyed towards her home with
UnoleBens newspaper by her side.
As tho autumn twilight began to fall, her
thoughts became busy as womAn's will at
times.
Uncle Ben,r she said, turning suddenly to-
is Z Ours mean"
Well" said Uncle Ben, refectivsly, 'it's 3
cottage, should say"
modern cottage?"
well, no; rather on the antique order than |
otherwise"
"oh," said Rachel, "Im glad, despise those /
new stin places, that look IS il they were mere |
y to be admired, not to live in and enjoyed. /
Uncle, what are you laughing at ?"
"At your curiosity, my dearl !"
Then won't ask another question" said
RAchel resolutely.
But she finally attoned for that deprivation by /
sketching on the tablets Of her own fancy an
endless variety of little Gothic erections with i
bay windows, and trellisses covered with climb /
ing roses and honeysuckels, while Uncle Bene- /
dict watched her from behind the screen Of his
newspaper. with the queerest Of expressions /
upon his brown old face.
Il am almost sorry commenced the thing " /
he said TO himself. If sheuld be disappointed Il
In her But, pooh! it's the only way to hnd out /
II she is worth my boys love !"
Presently the numbering old country stage
came to a standstll-but TO RAchels surprise, In /
front Of no fairy cot, or low-eAved edidce, sur
rounded by verandas and flower parterres
tumble down. unpAinted farmhouse stood
nttle back from the road, with its shutters hang
by lilac bushes forlornly tossing their foliage in
the wind.
well sweep, mute witness OF by-gone days
lowered mp In the rear. and cat darted under
'ho SoAaA WlLuON hb tuo bLhB0 btUppSus
How dreary it looks |" thought Rachel, with
a little Bhudder, as she glanced round to see
whether the fat woman opposite or the lank
young gentleman by her side were going to
alght. H
But neithor stirred
Wide awake, there ~ cried the coachmAn
brella.
Come, my dear" he spoke to Rachel.
She started instinctiyey forward.
ia this the placer"
This is the place" Uncle Ben answered with
sudden paroxysm Of coughing. "Gates ht-
tie out OF order" AZ that useful mode of egress
became suddenly detached from it's sole remain
ing hinge and fell with q crash to the ground
but that's soon set right with = screW-drver
and hall. a-dozen screws"
Alas. poor Rachel What were her sensations
as she looked blankly around the neglected and
dismal spot which was the sole realization OF her
fairy dreams
This is the homo Uncle Ben had given them.
And for an instant our poor little heroine felt
as II she could repel the unwelcome gift, and
!ell Uncle Ben plainly that she could not spend
her days in hoyel like this.
But then came sober second thoughts.
Uncle Ben had meant kindly they were poor,
and could not afford to dispense with the mean
est roof over their heads
, No, she must gratefully accept the present in
the spirit in which it given, and check in the
bud all her rebellious and unamiable repinings.
:, =! told you it was q cottage, you know" said
stood on the doorstep waiting for the door to be
opened.
Yes, know" said Rachel, Rlancing round
with frightening eyes. "That is q very choice
climbing rose over the window, il 1t was only
properly trained"
ITS rather lonesome" said Uncle Ben.
fully.
As she spoke slipshod old woman appered to
let them In, and led the way to the best room,
green paper apartment with q staring ingrAined
carpet on the floor. and q fire in the fireplace
mat emitted considerable mere smoke than cal
oric.
Smoky chimneys, eh ?" said Uncle Ben.
The draught seems to be poor" said RAch-
el, but dare say it can he fixed" IL
Il hadn't any idea the ceilings were so low,
8rumbied the old gentleman.
=. ITS partly the effect Of the big bouquets IN
tne wall paper" said Rachel, with glance at
me red and green monstrosities. "a narrow
striped pattern will improve 1t "
a. What ~ queer little cupboArds over the man
Tie 7! said Uncle Ben. I'll
"oh, they will be nice for our best china,"
said Rachel +sE-
MY DEAR said the old gentleman, II be-
heye you are determined to be pleased. Do you
really think you shall like this place 2"
~. shall like any place where Hugh u" sAid