, 1875-03-20


ness. found Aunt Jane, nv uncle, and
my wife in the parlor together, cOnv ers-
ing most amicably. Uncle Joe was
smoking az usual. / had told him of
Aunt James expected arrival, ard | had
asked him not 10 smoke in her presence.
1 looked frowningly at his pipe.
Oh, it's all right, Sam, nv boy" he
said, Miss Lillicrap don't object. She
rather likes smoking in z single man"
Does she? know If ! had attempted
to smoke in my own house she would
have gone into Mysteries, at the very
least. And here was Uncle Joe pouring
his foul tObaccO-smOke almost into her
very face, and she was sitting opposite
him, smiling graCiously. / learned after
ward that, on Aunt James first arrival,
my wife had explained TO her privately
the presence of Uncle Joe in the house
She had described my relative Is man
long unused to civilized society, but of
Kind and generous disposition; and-oh (.
so Flchl And these were the two people
| had been afraid to bring together.
Fool. to think that any difference in
mere social usages could disseyer the
bond of sympathy which unites the pos
SCISSOR Of money with-the possessor of
money! Oh, Mammon, Mammon!
] lind the reflections here suggested
have run out into the form of an essay
of some length, and of far too valuable a
nature TO be inserted in n mere casual
sketch like the present. They are there
fore omitted.
Uncle Joe and Aunt Jane became great
friends; and the change that this com
panionship wrought in the old lady sur
prised me. Hitherto had found her to
be of very staid and sober disposition,
with a fondness for tea and gossip, but
with horror of all lighter and more
frivolous amusements. Now she would
accompany Uncle Joe to theaters and
concerts, and she encouraged me 10 give
parties at which music, cards and whisky
and water were leading features. And
in the tH o latter departments Uncle Joe
distinguished himself
u say, Courcy," said my friend
Flathede, during one of these gathering,
that uncle of yours is regular Old
sharper He has just swindled me out
OF thirty shillings at the three-card
trick"
looked grave at this announcement
And look here, COurcy, my boy, |
think you know me"
| said | rather thought ! did.
My names Flathede, and I'm man
of the world"
Nobody more So"
g fancy ! know what's what, and can
put two and two together as well as most
people"
Better"
"Wen, better than some, perhaps.
Now, look here, my boy. You'll have a
marriage in this house before many
weeks are over"
| started.
"What do you mean?" said.
Then this great observer simply
nodded his head, and gave utterance to a
munOsyilable-
'Twig:"
Hooked IN The direction indicated. 4
number of people We're gathered round
the piano, at which lady was seated,
evidently about to sing; and a gentle
man was bending above her affection
ately, and preparing TO turn over the
music The lady was Aunt Jane, and
the gentleman was Uncle Joe.
OF the performance which followed |
viii say nothing l am charitable man.
The idea Of marriage between Aunt
Jane and Uncle Joe did not give me un-
allowed pleasure. | spoke 10 my wife
about il. She treated the announcement
with contempt.
AT their age" she said, "it would be
too ridiculous Nevertheless that night
Emily said 10 me:
"Gouldn't we persuade Uncle Joe TO
take lodgings somewhere-at least while
nv aunt is herey His habits are so un-
civilized and Aunt Jane is such sensi-
tive creature, you know"
| failed to perceive that Aunt James
sensitive nature was shocked and could
not see my way clear TO turn my uncle
out of the house; but my mind was
troubled.
| was in the office one morning when
was surprised by visit from our family
solicitor, Mr.. Sawyer.
You have person calling himself
Joseph Courcy residing with you pres
ent?" he said.
"Yes. of course-Uncle Joe"
Hum! Are you sure he IS the person
he represents hlHlStii 10 hS-
why, of course am. He is my uncle.
He told me so himself"
Indeed! Then allow me to inform
YOU have strong reasons TO believe that
This man is an impOstOr."
Gracious POwersl YOU don't say So
Howe
I'm the first place this is a much
younper man than your uncle would be;
and in the second place happen 10 know
that your uncle has been dead for ten
years"
"Dear me, And for these reasons
yoE think this man cannot be my uncle?"
"For these reasons | think this man
cannot be your uncle"
| reflected seriously for some minutes
and could not but admit that the law
yer's conclusion was just.
Nevertheless" l said, Al must still
regard him as an uncle-as more than an
uncle. Alas. how few real uncles de-
serve the name"
Tie lawyer looked puzzled.
Know" said |, "that he whom you
so cruelty stigmatize as an impoStOr has
conferred upon me the greatest of bene-
fits. He has promised to make me heir
TO all his wealth.
The lawyer laughed.
so he has been humbugging you too,
has he's don't believe the fellow has
five pounds in the world"
Il am sure he has" | said "He has
won more than that of me at cards"
But ! began TO feel uncomfortable.
but this is not the worst. fear he
has designs upon your aunt, Miss Lilli-
crap"
"Ha"
Then the lawyer told me all. Miss
Lillicrap, accompanied BY Uncle Joe,
had called upon him the previous day,
and informed him that she wished him 70
sell ont certain shares which she pos
spssed. She intended to invest the
A-.-...la.. can