Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-04-28

ways was so fond of you. Indeed, mamma
said that she wanted to leave her to go TO
you and Aunt Maria when YOUR eldest
children were born, even out to India"
"My eldest children! what do you
mean? Oh! by.the-bye, yes; they are
dead"
"Dead my Cousin George dead2"
Yes, yes, my dear"
"Poor little Addie! was it true that
George never got over her loss?'
"Don't" said Uncle George, abruptly;
and he held up newspaper upside down.
Edith touched his arm very gently.
81 am so sorry. Uncle George" she
said, sweetly. If l had known that you
had lost them both, would not have said
anything; please forgive me. And poor
Aunt Maria, too! Oh, beg your pardon"
Uncle George threw down his paper and
looked smilingly at her.
Does your mamma ever speak Of me?"
gConstantly, perpetually;" said Edith,
her voice still a little choked.
"And what does she say of meW
"She says that you are the dearest, kind
est, warmest hearted, most sweet disposition
ed old gentleman existing; she says you
have been q gallant officer, and loyal,
true hearted soldier" Edith's eyes kindled.
"And have heard how you distinguished
yourself in India, and IL am very glad to
see you, Uncle George"
Yes, yes, he is all that" said he, with
enthusiasm.
"What? who" asked Edith, confused.
"My father---I---I---I mean my son."
"Poer George he was a most distin-
guished soldier also. | wish had known
hi NJ ITnnla (Nao,r,o I Yuno1f
l do not wish TO pain you"
al like to near all you tell me about
him, my dear"
al have only heard how good soldier he
was, and that he was so handsome and SO
good"
"And had he faults and defects?'
Edith looked surprised.
II used to hear that he was conceited."
"No, no." said Uncle George hastily;
"never was that. He was proud, grant
perhaps too proud---but never conceited."
Poor George ~ sighed Edith; a had SO
looked forward to know him."
Had you, reallyw
Yes; | never had companion of my
own age. Do tell me, shall 1 like my
cousins at Hattonw
al think so, some of them; do YOU mean
Uncle Johns daughters or his step-chil-
dren%
"Both."
al think you will like Mary, tolerate
Susan, abhor Agatha, admire Jane, and
adore Alice"
"Alice is the adorable one, is she ~ said
E1ith, laughing; "and is she the one they
say is so pretty"
"Oh, no; poor Alice is deformed, and can
never leave the sofa; but she has the sweet
ness of an angel, anl the courage of
martyr: she is not in the least pretty"
"Oh, what trial always on the sofa !"
"What sweet little thing this is "
thought Uncle George, but he said nothing.
I" How comes it that you know none of
your cousins % said he, suddenly.
Why do you want me to tell you what
you know so much better than ] do, Uncle
Georgew
"Yes, yes, of course; but naturally |
want to know your side of the story Have
you never been at Hatton?"
Never; and | thought it so very kind of
you to induce Uncle John to persuade
mamma to let me CO."
"Yes; | thought, you know, that few
companions of your own age would do Won
good. How old are youw
"Did you not get mammals letter in
which she told you that l was to be eight
cen to-morroww
"No; it must have come late. | never
heard of it."
/" How very unfortunate! Then no one
will know | am coming. She asked YOU to
tell Uncle John about the train and things"
All, ah! that letter! oh, of course, that
is all right. | don't---I---I sometimes don't
read letters through"
Edith laughed.
81 hope | shall see great deal of you,
Uncle George, for l know how fond 1 shall
be OF you, for my mother loves you so
dearly"
at is very kind of her"
"And do you know, since we came to
live in England, l have never paid single
visit, or been for one week away from
home. Oh, it is such fun going to Hatton
Do my cotsns ride~
Yes, great deal; are you fond Of it ?"
81 love it; there is nothing in the world
TO me like good gallop. All, it was the
greatest trial of all my life when Queen
/ Nab was soldW
When was that ?'
"Mamma made me give up riding, or
rather | gave it up of myself, because it
made her so nervous"
, What else do you care for dancing 2"
ooh, | love it. but have never been to
a ball in my life"
"There are to be two at Hatton next
week, and you must promise me the first
waltz at each"
"Do you waltz ?"
"Oh, yes. You see am not such an old
fogy as you expected"
No; nobody would believe you TO be
fifty-eight, but for one thing"
"What is that %
But Edith blushed and would net an
swer.
"You need not mind, child | never was
at all sensitive; and, alas now my memory
is not what it was"
"Thats it," said Edith, eagerly; "only !
did not like to say it. Here We are at a sta
ton"
1t was now ten o'clock Uncle George
bought the Times and Daily News, and they
both began to read. About twelve o'clock
the pangs OF hunger began to assail Edith,
and she exclaimed:
"Uncle George, it is only twelve o'clock,
and must eat to live"
"I have been existing merely for the last
hour with the greatest difficulty, but |
have got nothing wherewith to refresh ex-
hausted nature; calculated on bun at
Carlisle"
"Hours hence No, / am amply pro.
vided. Will you have beef or chicken
sandwiches, or cold partridge, or what ?"
They made very good lunch, and uncle
and niece grew hourly better acquainted.
"I believe we ought to look out of the
window" said he, presently. "My father
said that the country about here was quite
beautiful"
"That must have been before the days Of
railways" said Edith, gravely "Thost
coaching DAYS must have been quite de