Connecticut western news., 1873-07-25


 think of paying Bingham, as he woul
 be fully able to settle the debt himsel
 In a reasonable time and as this wa
 entirely just, I had given myself n
 further thought about the matter, unti
 l had bought my house, and then
 thought great deal more about it thai
 was pleasant.
 Now, however, it wanted but on
 month of being six years from the tim,
 the note had fallen due, and then. b7
 the laws of my State, the debt would
 be outlawed, and would be safe. I,
 two months we were to be married, ant
 in one month I was safe! And thi.
 safety meant great deal for, if Bing
 ham should come down upon my req
 estate, and also bring all the obloquy
 upon me which such action would cer ta1nly occasion, my career at S. was at an end, and my marriage would be very indefinitely postponed, to say the least.
 Two days before this early winter day of which l write, I had received lette1 from my fathers brother, William. II had been directed to me at our old home, had been sent to my mother in the city, and been forwarded by her to me for, as I corresponded with no one in the old place, and had been in the city some months before coming here. the postmaster did not know my address. The letter was consequently thrse weeks old. It was written from Stanton, and read as follows:
 "DEAR GEORGE: For ten years have not written to any of your family. I need not disguise the fact that when your father died I had no other tie to any of you. But have heard lately that you have embraced my profession, and are practicing, suppose, in the old village. Now, I am growing old, and shall soon give up work (either with or without my own free will,) and it might reasonably be supposed that I would surrender to you, the only other doctor in the family, and my brothers son, my practice. But am much op- posed to bringing strangers into circle ot patients, If 1t can be avoided, and have young assistant, who is better qualified than any one else to take my place. Besides, you are far better where you are. But it may, perhaps, be in my power to help you in some other way and, at any rate, I would be very glad if you can get off for a few days, for you to pay me visit. It is to in- vite you to do this that I now write to you. Your affectionate uncle,
 "WmLIAM BARRATT."
 When I got this letter, I determined to start off directly, and on my way I stopped in the city to see my mother. l had left my practice in charge of brother physician, residing few miles from the village, and consequently, feeling easy in regard to the matter, i thought of spending 8 day or two in the city. before seeing my uncle. But my mother strongly opposed this.
 Your uncle William," said she, sis a strange person, and although I never liked him, and was probably the cause of his estranging himself so entirely from us, must admit that he frequent- ly behaved in very kind manner to your dear father. And he never prom lsed anything, either, but some trihing help-which often in the days when your father was struggling to get along, was of the greatest value. He paid the mortgage off the old house, as a Christ mas gift, before you were born. You may depend that if he wishes to see you, he intends to do something hand some for you, and you should not lose another hour; especially as the letter is three weeks old now. am very certain that you will remind him, as soon as he sees you, of his brother but l hope you will not meet that Bingham"
 Until this had not known that Bing- nam lived in that town, but, neverthe- ess, l set off immediately for my un- ,le's home, and found myself, as I be- ore stated, walking up the main street 9f Stanton, looking for the corner of Elm Avenue. As few of the streets had her names posted up, was about to 'tep into store to ask for information. when large man, with heavy red beard, passed me, then stopped, and tepping back, put his hand on my houlder, and said: "Your name is 3arratt ?'
 stopped, utterly astounded. Was his Bingham? Should I deny the 'lrthright of my name, or admit it, and tand ruined from that moment? But uppose it was one of my uncle's family, denial would be a pretty piece of bus ness in that case? I must confess that was greatly tempted to tell falsehood; ut, apart from the meanness of such a hing, what good would it have done? All this, which it takes so long to rite, passed very quickly through my rain, but still it caused hesitation, cry perceptible.
 Why, it as Barrett" said the man. Of course it is" said I, for I could O longer refraia from acknowledging ne fact; "but must say, sir, that 1 m not acquainted with yours. Don'tyou remember Jim Coleman ?' aid he, taking my hand and shaking it :, eartily. Jim Coleman, indeed Jim had been schoolmate of mine , much older, however, than mel, with nom had always been favorite, and / ho had got me out of many 8 scrape. The revulsion of feeling was so great, { lat for 8 moment could not speak ( ut, then, gave him much heartier { reeting than I fear he would have re- \ sived under any other circumstances. { "Trying " to find Dr. Barrat, eh ?- our uncle. We'll, I never knew that. Il show you but you must stop in at y place first. It's all on the way. urn right around this way" And, taking my arm, he led me off in f le opposite direction to which I had i cen going. On the way he informed t e that he had been settled in this place i IT about three years as Conveyancer t Id real estate agent, and that he was c ping very we'll, and had large and j 'eful acquaintance in the town. ] When we were seated in his back f ice, talking over old times, I happened s think that this large acquaintance of F s might be of no use to me if Bingham q as included among them, and he thus n armed my location and condition. a erefore told Coleman, as an old friend, a y whole story, and the fears I had had " coming to this dangerous town. W "You never saw Bingham, then ?" f. id he; "never were in his office?" t Mo-" said "I never saw him to e low him, and certainly was never in s office."
 "We11 said Co1enao Nvo,,,ro ;,, ;4 .