The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-03-09

ye didn't want to see the likes of him.
So Mrs. Burton descended the stairs
in no very pleasant humor. She found
All old gentleman in the hall, and she
stood looking coldly upon him, i'll a
dignified manner.
Twill you permit me to rest awhilc.
madam % said he, bowling, Il am
slightly acquainted with your husband
and would like to show him some
articles / have in my satchel."
''He isn't at home-you had better
call come other time," she said frigid-
ly.u
81 can wait for him." responded her
visitor, 'sif it will be convenient. /
would like to pass the night here. l
think Mr.. Burton will be glad to see
me-"
cit is not at all convenient to accom-
modate any one at present." replied
Mrs. T.. "the hotel is not far off, SIR"
81 am very lame, and tired with
walking" he said, rising. Il would
have been contented in any corner,and
could sleep on a lounge as you are
house cleaning: but will not trouble
you madam ;" and taking his satchel
and cane, he departed, saying to Bid
dy as he passed her:
ut is good rule to be kind to every
one, don't you think so your mistress
would not have been looser if she
had allowed me to stay. I should have
paid her literally"
"Bad luck to the house clanin that
makes body so cross" said Biddy,
Ser swate lady she is when there's
no such dOiH's around; but her ould
uncle's comm, ye see, and so it
makes trouble, ye know"
A qneer smile fitted ever the old
mans face, but it was succeeded by q
look of sadness, as he limped away.
After hot chase. Mr.. Burton sue
ceeded in overtaking the astonished
peddIer, and overhanling his load. the
important papers were rescued, and a
five dollar bill paid to the insulted
dealer in rags, then Mr.. Burton re-
traced his steps wearily to the store
Soon after, his brother Robert entered
News, Henry" he exclaimed, "Un-
Gle Gregory has arrived! I" 34a
| "Indeed! am very much surpris-
ed" responded his brother, eve did
not expect him till next week."
'He;s an oddity," laughed Robert.
s'He came to my house and pretended
to be book agent, or somethirg OF
the kind, said he was very tired. and
wanted TO rest for aw hiie. SO my wife
got a nice easy chair for him, and gave
him good dinner. You know Mary
has II very KIM heart, au,i she pi,ictl
tue lame old man, Hho look, u 50 sad
and weary. and when he told her that
ha was acquainted with me and would
like TO spend the night at our house,
she smil;ngly asscnied. / wonder at
her, for we are house-cleaming. and
there is more work than Mary ought
to do, but she takes things easy. She
Just cleans one room at a time, ,and the
house is never in an uproar. Well,
the old gent made himself very agree
able, and when l went homo he reveal
ed himself in his true character, no
other than our eccentric Uncle Gre
CORY
The chagrin Of Mrs. Burton can be
imagined when she discovered her un-
cle's ''ruse." But her humble apology
did not win the old gentleman's for
giveness. He never spent much time
at her residence, but seemed very hap
py at Roberts, and he lavished his
money freely upon Mary and her
children. Poor Bessie! she often saw
them riding by in uncle Gregory's
handsome carriage, and she bitterly
! regretted her lack of kindness Oh thai
eventful house-cleaning day.