The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-11-28
My Rich Uncle from China
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

"My dears." cried Mrs. Chidleigh,
hurrying into the morning parlor, where
Berence and I sat, busy over blue and
pink tarlatan candy bags, for the charity
fair, "I've news for you, the very best
of news"
It was the day before Thanksgiving,
and the fair was to be held that evening
at my aunt's house.
"What is it ?" demanded Berenice,
scattering her candies. I" Has Mr.. Ever
leigh spoken at last ?"
Ny aunt flushed and bit her lip.
"My dear Berenice," she said, "you
should not be so out-spoken To hear
you, one would fancy you were exceed
ingly anxious about Mr.. Everleigh."
"Well, aren't we ?" interrupted Ber-
ry, saucily. tossing her blonde hair.
"I'm sure we've been expecting him to
speak for the last month, and hoping
for it, too. Where's the harm in saying
what we feel?"
Amt was silent. I laughed, as fill
ed blue bag with pink bon -bons.
"You seem to take it for granted,
Berry," said, "that when Mr.. Ever.
leigh does speak, it will be to propose
for you. Now, you forget me. Who
can tell, which he may choose ?"
Berenice curled her red lip.
"He'll not be likely to choose you,
Meg, at any rate" she said, with a
sneer.
Now, I knew this to be quite true. l
was poor orphan, my father died, pen
niless, few years before. We lived in
a small cottage, with only four rooms,
that had once been the gardeners cot
30 I, 81, hol To- 70
rent free, by Aunt Mary. In fact, we
were, more or less, dependents on her
bounty. Mother eked out our scanty
living by taking in plain sewing, and
earned little by fine embroidery; but
had not much time of my own for
this kind of work, for my aunt was
sending for ne, continually, to do this
and that; and did not dare to re-
fuse. l was, in short, kind of maid
of-all work, up at the "great house,
as we called Aunt Mary's residence.
Sometimes, thought, with a sigh, OF
the difference between mammals lot and
Aunt Mary's. Then remembered that
the latter had sold herself for money,
marrying an old man, who was twice
her age, and both jealous and exacting.
Fortunately, he had died, ut last. But
Aunt Mary had, long since, paid the
penalty, by growing harder-hearted and
more selfish daily, when my own dear
parents, who had married for love, had
been supremely happy at least, while
father lived. I was not sure, recalling
all this, that, in spite of our privations,
we ought to complain. Yet Berenice
was correct, of course. What right had
I, a dependant, even to think of Mr..
Everleigh, who was rich, fashionable,
and favorite everywhere?
But was human, after all, and this
taunt reused me.
"I can't see why he shouldn't marry
even me, if he loved me-" retorted.
"He's free agent, at any rate"
Berenice tossed her head, till her ring
let's were in simmer.
"Whata little fool you are," she said,
"for goodness sake hold your tongue.
Mamma, love-" and she turned her back
on me, "don't you mean to tell us you,
good news?"
Assuredly, when you are polite
enough to hear il. I've been waiting
now, some ten minutes. Are you and
Meg quite done with your absurd dis,
cussion ?"
"Quite, mamma It was Meg who
started it she's always chattering non
sense. But let us hear the news"
Aunt drew letter from her pocket.
"a letter." cried Berenice then i
does not concern Mr.. Everleigh, aftel
ALL"
"My dear, no. No one mentioned
Mr.. Everleigh's name, but yourself.
really wish you would try and be lit
tie more guarded. The letter is from
your uncle in Shanghae. He is coming
home"
Berenice and gave a simultaneous
exclamation. Since the earliest YEAR
of our childhood, "our uncle in China
had been the center about which all oul
romance had revolved. He was nam
mas brother. and Aunt Mary's also
Years before, when / was mere baby
he had gone abroad, become soldier apt
sailor by turns, and fnall had amassed
we had heard, great fortune. Once il
long while battered box that smellel
of camphor and foreign spices cam,
over seas, reminder that Uncle Hal bai
not quite forgotten either mamma o.
Aunt Mary. But generally the Gift,
were to my aunt. "Those on whom
success Shines" says the old homiIv
"are successful in all things"
When your uncle comes home from