National Republican., 1877-03-11
THE FENDRICKS' MYSTERY.

"How those Fcrdrcks do hold their 'eais
up, I'm sure! Ronlly, their pride and arrogance
gets more insunorablo every day-'hat It doesr
The speaker was n Mrs Butler widow OF n re-
tired grocer. nnd the present owner of q sterco.
type stuccO villa near Chaplain.
Tho day was Sunday, and Mrs, Butler With
her particular iri"ud, MISs Since, formed Ono Of
the stream "t people leaving tho Rev. Jonah
kneckemdown's church.
"You arc certainly right, dear" VlggIcd Miss
smee such pr-iensions are perfectly disgust
ing; and prGtcrsiOrs, prar, upon what2'
IAN uncle, IN ron box and mystery" re.
torted Mrs Butler. tcssiUg her head until the
hot.house Of iuuers on her bonnet quverod TO
every glass petal
This action brought her eyes on q level with q
gentleman Ius' NJ tho moment approaching.
"Ab, Mr. Clrrhrook how do YOU do? Fine
morning, Gin't ~ And what q charming ser.
mon! Quite enorvntiug,r tcievatIng, Mrs. Butler
possibly mcarr.) wasn't It now?"
IAN imprcs'tvc discourse, certainly smiled
the gentleman.
~ hope your father, the doctor, and your dear
ma 20 wcllr'
Perfectly. thanks, But would you kindly tell
me the name OF that family Just goIng up tho road
yondcrf mean with the lady Ia the turquoise
sllke'
"Thcm? Thcm's the Fcndrlcks. Now, that's
strange we was Just speaking of EN-. Every
body notices tho FODdrickP.'
Il should think SO! Such airs 80 gigglcd Miss
Smoe. wrIggiIng her9Slfinto the conversation.
The gentleman, Harry ClOnbrJok tho son OF
the new doctor. who nd purchased old DR.. New
comes practice, looked n little surprised, perhaps
rather annoyed, then remarked, "if you wero
speaking Of them, then may infer the words
caught, AN uncle, au Iron box, and mystery
had to do with ihem7'
"Bless you, yesi They arc as proud as pea.
cocks, them Fendrcks, and It's all upon thatr'
"Pardon me; your own words contain a mys.
terry" said the young man. Am impertlnent
to ask an explanation"
''Not at all And I'd toll you ir l could, I'm
sure. But they are always bOastlng of this uncle,
who was the making OF their fortunes, who mixed
with oil tho swclls In London, who found out thoy
were connected to the aristocracy themselves,
and 1ho Left proofs Of the family's noble connec-
tiou In an iron box. which hc made compact
shouldn't bo opened until certain day; and
lot the FCndricks hsve made out Of that, war
rant you ~
"Thc box contains family plate, heraldic arms,
their genealogical tree, no doubt? ?" smiled Clon.
brook.
That's Just what they say"
"But who is the young fellow walking with the
younger lady2"
"That is n nephew. The lady Ia n daught.r-a
proud thing, who turns up her nose at trade"
"ENcuSo me; AIN right In saying the nephew's
name Is Paul Avcuel ?"
"Yes, that's It,"
Uptii this moment the Butler party had hcCn
following the Fendricks; but now, reaching the
POINT where the road diyerged, the two separated
We will keep tho FendrIcks company.
The patcrfamilias was as IoInpous piece Of
humanity rs could be. lfany thing was more In.
Hated in expression than his lace It was his OBJ
trusiye white waistcoat.
Mrs Fcndrick was mild, far.haired, limp
woman; the daughter resembled her father {;
while Paul, he nephew, was a frank, pleasant,
honest-lOoking, gentiemanly young follow, with
an easy carriage, ana not a bit OF pOmposty In
his whole being.
"N0w, look here, Paul." said his uncle, con.
tInuinB conversation. ~ won't have It; that's
all about IL I-won't-have-it Do you think
that took you from baby, aud educated you,
and made n gentleman OF you, for you to disgrace
my famiiy-for you to disgrace I he noble founder,
may say, Of our familyT l refer to your great
uncle"
"COptound my great uncle !" was on the young
mans lIps, for ho was heartily sick Of this per.
petusl relative.
But he said. II have no wish to disgrace tho
family uncle, I'm suro; and, upon my lite, can't
sec, sir, how my marrying HettIe Trayers would
do sor'
"Oh, Paul. I'm surprised" broke in Fanny
Fendrick, in horror. "Isn't she the daughter OF
man who kept book.shopP"
"And who was gentleman and scholar |" ex-
claimed Paul, rather hotly, not liking to be
caught up by his cousin. ale had more brain
than half the aristocratic-"
brain, sir, brainw burst forth Frederick the
eldest. "What is brain to blood3 Think Of our
uncle, tho associate Of noblemcn-Of peers! Who
could talk and write Of 'em, as We write and talk
OF Tom and Harry"
"Until Uncle VIII went to sock his fortune,
believe our family was poor enough"
"Poor, but proud"
mot Uncle Will," persisted Paul: "iOr I've
na1Il INr InNua 4. IL
EdosIpg his grand airs that got
was young. He learnt the error OF his way OF
thinking, and raised our family, or will raise II,
Paul, TO- position hope 1t WIN never lose; Be:
his singular will. As you are aware, the mystery
about my Uncle William Will be cleared up on
the 22d OF next month"; and, Paul, want no
mssaiiidnce to disgrace It, nor to hinder the eN-
eellent match l expect, sir, for your cousin,
Tho nephew bit his lips, then was about to re.
ply when hand was lightly rested on his
He wheeled round quickly
What" no exclaimed with evident pleasure;
"Harry Clonbrook"'
"Then am not deceiVed-you are my old Eton
Fendrlok pere asked Harry Ulonbrook TO dine
with them, Fanny seconding the Invitation by o
looking, doctors son, and-a gentleman.
The young man, however, was proof against
both allurenents so Paul proposed to walk a
little way back with his "chum, " to talk over old
times
4 "And what are you doing now 2" asked Paul,
the Eton "Reminiscences ended.
'Walking bartholomew And you?"
, "Reading for the law, consequently SUI do
pendent upon my uncle, He had better by hal
have made me u carpenter or an upholstorer 1 non
by this time might have been making my for
tune" sighed Pau, "and been my own master Il
s"Whlch signifies" laughedlIIarry Clonbrook,
"that you cant to do something as you please
and pRn'tr'
"IOu'ye hit It,"
"I'n hit something else. There Is lady In
TIE easel"
"E1sctly. Were you at church todsyH"
~ wRs'
"Thon did you see in the gallery to the Ior o