Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-03-28


with dlsrespect of the newly found uncle.
and The evening passed in customary cosy
fashion.
The rext day uncle Timothy made his
appearance, attended by brown, quiet,
Hindoo servant Even | was forced TO
acknowledge that uncle Timothy was in
all respects the ideal uncle from India.
Apparently about seventy years of age,
yellow rs parchment, wrinkled, spare.
wearing a wig very little deceptive,
carrying gorgeous Indian handkerchief
this was the appearance OF the retired
merchant in indigo. His manner was
gentle, affectiOnate, patriarchal. My
brother in-law received his blessing with
emotion; Laura pronounced him 'per.
iectly lovely" and the children were
charmed with him. l only. hardened by
the experience of journalism remained
impossible. Could | have done less,
considering my predictions OF the incon.
venience he would cause to nv sisters
household? Nevertheless | blamed my
sell Tor 1t. redonbled my attentions 10 the
good old gentleman, strove to feel for
him the ELECTION he so richly merited-
aud became convinced that had bad
heart. The genial manners, the frank
address, the thoughtful courtesy of uncle
Timothy proved that in him, too, the
pleasant family traits of the Percys were
innate and his habits. though little
eccentric, were simple and kindly. Later
1t will sppear how i'll. grounded were nv
prejudices, and how, through the means
OF worthy uncle Timothy. have become
s prosperous journalist, with ten thousand
dollars to the good. This is, however,
not the place Tor homily upon hasty
jadgments-this story Of how a long lost
uncle returned to pass the Christmas tide
with his relatives shall be, as far as pos
sible. inspired by spirit OF charity and
Eoodiellowship entirely Diokense.que.
In the course of few days, uncle
Timothy had become quite domes.icated
in the family. IL was about this time that
series OF bold and skiliully executed
robberies was alarming the city. They
were evidently the work Of professional
burglars; varied in detail, without any
eliminating clues. occurring frequently
they were the despair OF the detectives,
who had not succeeded in capturing any
of the thieves. This state OF things.
commented on by the press, spoken Of on
the streets, greatly alarmed uncle limo
thy, vho-braye among treacherous
HindoOs, fearless before the fierce beasts
Of Indian iungleS-shOwed himself very
coward in regard 10 these rapacious
beings. His nervousness was extreme.
he could hardly listen to the particulars
OF these robberies which he read. never
theless. with a painful minutenes; snd
interest. Tippoo. his Indian servant.
must sleep on mat before his door AT
night; aud be enjoined upon John and
Laura the greatest care in regard to their
vAIuab'es in the silver saie-which in
cluded some very fine jewels of the
Percy family. given by John 70 his wife,
much costly silver plate, superb cross
and set oil studs in dilmonds-the old
mau's Christmas gilt 10 his niece and
nephew, and curiouslY woven bag OF
ul Iudiau manufacture, msde OF some
tbrous grass, in which were diamonds.
unset aod even unpublished. belonging TO
uucle Timothy himself
The good old man warned me too. re
peatedly, oil the dangers that | might
encounter on the way 10 the newspaper
Office aud. indeed. proved by expert
euce the wisdom OF his words. One
morning remembe Der how alarmed siresh
oy the account of an especially bold rob
berry, he advised me to take care OF my
watch and pockettook, speaking hurriedly
and TREMENDOUSLY. following me to the
outer door in mis- solicilude. At the mo-
ment thought but little Of the words OF
the old man. was even impatient OF
mis- gentle, OBTAINING hand upon my arm
Il. who ought 10 have respected the
limidlty of the kindly old uncle " hose
fear had rendered him prophetic. When
| reached the office Of my iournal-my
watch was gone! |. was hopelessly lost,
il nigh, have been stolen anywhere be
tween 45th street and Printing house
Sauare-for l had no recollection OF
consulting it. upon the way. The black
cord which held 1t had been cut with
some sharp instrument; and the watch,
q valuable one which had belonged to
nv father-was lost.
Irelated my misfortune to the family,
at dinner; and though fsncied that l
detected upoE the face OF uncle Timothy
q little gratiied vanity at this proofot the
reasonableness of his fears, he kindly
torebore TO remind me OF his caution of
the morning; and, indeed. was so over
come by his terror at the idea OF the
robbery that he could scarcely finish his
meal.
"Tippoo," he said 10 his servant, who
a. usual, stood behind his chair, ''did
YOU have the lock OF my door repairedP"
"Yes. Sahib." answered Tippoo--and
this phrase, constantly repeated by the
soft, low voice of the Hindoo. in reply to
the various commands OF his master. was.
with a single exception, the only one that
Ta,ar hesrd him utler while he lived