Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-02-18

'NtAsR
the maple, saying, as he went, "Poor Moth
er, she can't give up her baby yet my
foolish speech will cost her sloepless night.
DO yon smoke, sir?"
~ confess 10 a weakness on that point"
"Then you'll have company soon, sir, for
the children come in at night, and Willie
is great smoker"
"Do your children visit you every eve
ning9"
ooh, yes it is one Of our family customs.
Tho boys take turns in looking after the
my chair as soon as supper is donei in win
ter they roll my chair close 10 the window
80 l eau see them coming in."
One after another they entered the gate
and walked up the little path; the grand
children running TO "kiss grandpa tirst;"
and their elders hesitating as they saw his
guest.
The stranger moved away from the old
man AFTER greeting his children, and stood
apparently looking at the landscape, but in
reality seeing nothing but the happy
group
4 moment or two later a fine looking
man came whistlng toward the party, and
was introduced as "my son William" ~
have been saying to my guest, Willie, you
would soon DO here and join him in
smoke"
"With all my heart" said Willie, hold
ing out his hand TO the stranger. "a fool
ish habit, sir, but kind of solacc only
very busy mon can appreciate"
The stranger drew from his pocket an ol-
egant cigar case aud requested him TO try
one Of them hc had brought them across
the sea for his own use; perhaps lie might
fancy them.
In ten minutes the two men were chat
ting away like old friends, while mother
Bray aud the girls were holding an import
ant consultation, concerning tomato catsup,
aud grandpa was holding Mary's baby.
"This is certainly the finest cigar ever
smoked you have hit my taste exactly"
"Ahr said the stranger, with quiet
smile, 81 am glad you appreciate them;
wanderers like myself sometimes find a
rare article"
"Speaking Of the wanderers" said the
doctor, did father tell you OF our stray
Oht ~ - hNAA w iiiONhtlf MS hpbp1s
"IIe alluded TO an absent sou, but l did
not ask any questions, although l was
greatly interested. You know we rovors
have kind of Masonic friendship for one
another"
81 can imagine it, for our absent brother
LEFT us twelve years since TO zee something
OF the world he possessed mania for
travel. At irst lie thought only of Califor-
mia, but year was enough for him; then
he went TO China. aud afterward joined a
scientific party, and went TO Brazil. We
heard from him once or twice after he left
the party, and joined some gentlemen as
restless as himself He had a superior
mind, was well read, and one of the bes.
brothers man ever had. Poor, dear Joe;
l would give half, yes, two-thirds Of my
income, 10 hear something of him."
Did he never send home anything from
the places he visited ?"
"ios, tnce only; then box containing
"A Chinese present for each of Us, aud pic
ture Of himself, poorly painted, but show
ing u plainly an ugly scar on his forehead
caused by terrible fall. Ben's youngest
boy is named for him, and father often
holds lin an hour at time, looking at the
picture, and telling him of dear uncle
Joe, who was always such good little
boy"
do your parents still think of his re-
turn?" asked the stranger, who seemed
much moved by the simple tale.
"Father gave him up long ago, but moth
er and the girls still think he will come !;
and little Ben comforts father aud mother
by declaring Uncle Joe will come some
day, and then won't We love him. Father
says, poor Joe, poor Joe, he must have gone
to the other three"
The light had gone out in the strangers
cigar he was looking once more toward
the family group, and just then father Bray
called out: "Willio, can't you prevail on
our new friend to pass the night with US /;
the tavern is poor place at best"
"With all my heart" said the doctor ST
can assure you mothers beds are an im-
provoment on the ones you will find at our
only hotel, and As for us, we are always
glad to see a stranger face, although we arc
quite settlement among ourselves"
"Do you give every one such hearty
reccption?' asked the stranger. "If so,
wonder how many ever try the landlords
beds ?"
at is selfish in us, sir" said mother
Bray; 1--WE are pleased with guest to en-
terrain, and more than that, hold it COM
mand for us 'to use hospitality without
grudging."
The stranger rose, touched his hat, aud
said, "you may never know how deeply
feel your kindness"
Mary and her husband had just said they
must go, for baby had fallen asleep in
grandma's arms, when Ben elmo around
the corner Of the house, leading little Joe
by the hand.
"rve helped do all your work, grandpa"
and the child stopped short, and glanced at
the stranger, who was listening to uncle
Willie.
"Come here, Joey, como see this gentle
man; he can tell you wonderful stories"
Joe walked slowly up to uncle win, keep
ing his eye fastened on tho stranger; at last
he found himself safely nestled in the doc
tors lap, where he sat looking eagerly at
the strange face.
My lltlle man, sara uthestfahSer, won
you sit in my lap7 Uncle Will has babies
to love him, all those good people havo
some one 10 care for and pet thum. but l
have not one person in this great world 10
love me Tonight"
"rhen will,p said the child, and with a
bound he was in the strangers arms. The
gentlemen looked at each other and smiled.
The boy played with tho strangers watch
guard, asked some questions about strange
charm upon it, and at last, looking the
STRANGER full in the face he said, with child