Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-02-17
Misfenanrons. q
Uncle Roberts Christmas Gift.
By ANNA NORRIS.

What a strange letter, exclaimed Kate
Dudley. raising her eyes from the epistle
she had been absorbed in for the last fif-
teen minutes. "Just listen 10 il mamma"
And she read as follows:
my DEAR NIECE.-Unless your moth
er is greatly changed since l knew her, il
will not be necessary for me TO introduce
myself as your uncle Robert. Her heart
WAS always too loving to allow her to forget
any one belonging to her-even her wan
dering brother.
Il hope you are like her have a fancy
that you are-perhaps because you bear
her name. If am right, know that my
request is granted before l make it-for |
am going to ask favor Of you.
Il am tired OF leading lonely bache-
lors life-boarding among strangers. with
no one TO care fer me. 1 have bought
house, furnished it well, and want you TO
come and be my housekeeper. and my
adopted daughter. Yoa shall have every
thing that my love or my wealth can give
to make you happy; and if you are not
contented, you shall return home next
summer.
"Tell your father that the day you enter
my house will give you check for twen-
ty thousand dollars.
''Tell your mother-no, tell her nothing
except that bid God bless her. will not
buy her child from her, but if she can give
her to me, l will prove by my care of her
how much appreciate the gift.
Telegraph one word when you receive
this, and let it be yes or mo- Your faith
er will find on inquiry that l have made
every arrangement for your trip, on the
train that will arrive here on the twenty
fourth of December.
ssT lava issued in vii afinus for a rQUulAr
old-fashioned house-warming on Christ
mas Eve. and want you to do the honOrs
of my establish nent. | would have asked
you to come sooner, but am called away
on business that will keep me until that
day.
Il enclose a check. that you may make
any arrangement you please for your
journey. 1t is not necessary for you to
bring any great amount of money with you
and l would advise you not to trouble
yourself with much luggage. 1t will be
just as well for you to make any addition
you may choose to your wardrobe after
your arrival here; but one thing l want
you provided with, and that is an evening
dress for the house-warming. Please let
it be rich and elegant in every respect, and
especially let it be all white.
If you know any one who would live
with US as sort of upper servant, or
house-keeper, to take care off your hands,
and who will also be a suitable travelling
companion for you, please engage her at
once. L leave the terms entirely to you.
II you do oot engage any one, your father
can doubtless obtain an introduction to
some passenger coming at the same time.
pnder whose escort he can place you.
with much love to your mother, re-
main your ahectionate uncle,
ROBERT PRESTON"
go to California; cried Mrs. Dudley
in amazement. Robert must have gone
crazy"
"Indeed, my dear, think he has just
come to his senses, remarked Mr.. Dudley.
coolly. Your brother is a millionaire,
and it is high time he did something for
his family. Twenty thousand will be
good beginning for Kate; and If she plays
her cards we'll, no doubt she will be her
uDcle's heiress.'
pray, mamma" questioned Kate. try.
ing for her mothers sake, not to show how
much she disliked her fathers avaricious
view Of the subject, show old is my Uncle
Kobert?-and did ever see him%
"He il not over forfy-five, my dear. He
went to California about fifteen years
ago, but I saw but very little Of him