Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-05


when We go TO Europe next summer, il that
is any consolation"
81 suppose it is all .hall get, aud so !
will accept Il with thanks."
About an hour after Mr. Bracy had gone
TO his business, a carriage drove up 10 the
door, and from u stepped n tan, fne.ookinq
gentleman, sunhunt and bearded, who ran
quickly up the steps aud rang the hell with
vigor which showed that hc desired 10 elicit
a speedy response.
as Mrs. Bracy m 3" he asked when the
servant appeared.
She is, sir, but"
Where is she Y' interrupted the aran
ger, pushing by the girl without ceremony
She's up stairs, sir, but you
The stranger waited to hear no more but
bounded up the stairs two steps at once, en-
oountered Mrs. Bracy, who, hearing the
noise below, had come ont into the hall
" Who is it 2" She asked, mnch surprised at
the stranger manner Of announcing himself
Jennie, don't You know your brother 2"
Tom It is possible " aud the next iu-
slant Mr.. Bracy was clasped iu her broth
er's arms.
Mr.. Thomas Allen, after having been in
China for ten years, had now returned to his
native country 10 enjoy the handsome for
tune he had acquired during his absence.
lie was Mrs. Bracy's only brother, and, as
they were much attached 10 each other, Their
joy at meeting, after so long q separation,
can easily be imagined.
As they were lunching together, several
hours after, MIR. Allen said As You are to
entertain company this afternoon, Jennie,
suppose shall be left to myself. What can
find to do IIave'you any little commits
sion ! can execute y
ooh, Tom " exclaimed Mrs Bncy, il
you only would
"Would OF course will. That is.
would what Explain yourself
will. There is a merchant IN this city.
who was formerly very wealthy, and has re
Gently failed. To-day, his house and all its
contents are TO be sold at auction. There
is a beautiful French clock there, which ]
had hoped 10 secure. until Mr.. liracy told
me that he should be unable TO attend the
sale. II you are perfectly willing, | should
he glad 10 have You 60 and try your luck
with the clock"
shall be delighted" said Tom. 1t is
just the thing to suit me. The clock shall
be yours tonight, if it is possible thing"
At two o'clock, the appointed time for
the sale 10 begin, Mr.. Allen departed on his
mission, after having received from his sister
a minute description Of the article on which
he was to bid
After her company had gone, Mrs. Bracy
sat at window watching her brothers re-
turn. She presently saw him approaching
the house. followed by man carrying in his
arms a wooden box. She rushed to the door
and opened Il while Mr.. Allen was ascending
the steps.
as that the clock y'' she asked, eagerly in
dcating the aforesaid box.
The very same" answered her brother.
=" place it here addressing the man.
The clock was uncased and placed in the
center Of the drawingroom mantle.
Mrs. Bracy was profuse in her thanks 10
her brother for his trouble. alt isa perfect
beauty" said She as she stood at a little dis
tance admirng the clock. But tell me,
Tom-did you have much difficulty in get
ting il ?"
." | did have some trouble" answered her
brother " but was determined to have it
at any cost, and have it did. When it was
first brought under the hammer, the bidding
on it was very lively. | kept quiet until
there were but two bidders left and the
largest amount offered was one hundred dol
lars Then spoke 'One hundred and ten
said l. At the next moment a middle-aged
gentleman, who was standing near me, and
who had not spoken before, bid one hundred
and fifteen dollars in a tone so decided that
saw at once that | should have trouble with
him. lie and | soon left the other two bid
ders behind. BY the time we reached one
hundred aud seventy five dollars, could see
that my opponent was beginning to get angry
at my persistence. lie evidently suspected
that | was in the employ Of the auctioneer.
At last, when bid two hundred and fifty
dollars over his two hundred and twenty
five, he lost his temper and snapped ont
Take it, then, for you won't get any more
from me-"
At this point in Mr. Aliens narrative,
latch-key was heard to click in the front door,
and presently some one entered the hall.
That is my husband. will bring him
in and introduce him." said Mrs. Bracy rs-
ing aud leaving the room.
Who do you think has come 2" said She
pleasantly, to Mr.. Bracy, as he was removing
hat and oyercoat in the hall.
"Cau't say, I'm sure" he answered, little
| curtly II was evident that he was not in
the best of humors
&C. 1t is brother Tom, just come home from
China. Come into the parlor and see him."
and opening the door, she entered, followed
| by her husband.
Mr.. Allen rose as they entered, and adj
vanced towards them.
Charles" said Mrs. Bracy, " this is my
/ brother Tom, this is my.-what is the matter
with You twoY" Mrs. Bracy's surprised ques-
tion was called forth by some very strange
/ behavior on the part of the two gentlemen.
| As they were walking towards each other
with outstretched hands, both suddenly
started, stopped short, stared and almost
simultaneously burst out laughing.
This singular conduct naturally astonished
Mrs. Bracy very much /" DO tell me what
is the matter" said she, "or shall begin to
fear for your sanity"
But her only replies were fresh peals OF
merriment, "If you don't explain your
selves this instant, | will turn down the gas
and leave you 10 have your laugh out in the
dark, exclaimed the lady, in pretended anger
Mr.. Allen made few inarticulate efforts
to speak, and then catching Mr.. Bracy's eye,
went OFF again, totally unable to control
himself. His companion, however, was
more successful and with an effort com
manded his voice and said You remem-
ber, my dear, that | left you this morning
with the intention of going out of town.
But on reaching the office, found that my
business could be deferred until tomorrow
so | resolved to run up town to the Dayen-
port auction, and try TO secure the clock
which you wanted so much. But your wOr-
thy brother here, was so obstinate that-you
can guess the rest