The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-08
Nc Y RICH UNCLE FROM CHINA.

l y <
hurrying into the morning parlor, wher
Berenics and sat, busy over blue ant
pink tarlatan candy bags, for the CHART,
fair, tive news for you, the very best o
neWs.n
Itwss the day before Thanksgiving
and the fair was to be held at my amt
house.
"What Is it2" demanded Berenice, scat
tering her candies. t'Has Mr.. Everleigl
spoken at last!" Ne.
| my aunt flushed and bit her lip.
MY dear Berenice,' she said, "yor
should not be SO out-spoken TO heal
you, one would fancy you were exceed
ingly anxious about Mr.. Everleigh.' =
| swell, aren't we2' interrupted Berry
sauciIy, 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
feel2"
Aunt was silent. I laughed, as T filed
a blue bag with pink bon bons.
you seem to take it for granted, Ber-
ry," I. said, 'tthat when Mr.. Evarleigh
does speak, it will be 10 propose for you
Now, you forget me. Who can tell,
which he may choose2'
Berenice curled her red lip.
"Hell not be likely to choose you, Meg,
;any rate" she said. with sneer.
Now, I knew this to be quite true. I
was a poor orphan, my father died, pen
nlless, a few years before. We lived in a
small cottage, with only four rooms,
that had once been the gard cottage,
and which had been granted to us rent
free, by Aunt Mary. Tn fact, we were,
more or less, dependents on her bounty.
Mother eked out our scanty living By
taking in plain sewing, and [ earned q
little by fine embroidery; but had not
much time of my own for this kind Of
work, for my aunt was sending for me,
continually, TO do this and that; and I
did not dare to refuse. | was, in short, a
kind of maid, Of l-work, up at the
great house." as we called Aunt Mary's
residence. Sometimes, I thought, with a
SIGH, Of the difference between mamma $
OF and Aunt NfaIy's Then / Temeln bered
that the latter had sold herself for money.
marrying an old man, who was twice
hex age, and both jealous and e1acting.
FortuD ately, he had died, at last. But
aunt Mary had, long since, paid the pen
atty, by growing hard hearted and more
selfish daily, when my own dear parents,
who had married for love, had been
supremacy happy; at least while father
lived. | was not sure, recalling all this,
thai, in spite Of our privations, we ought
to complain. Yet Berenice was correct,
of course. What right had T, s. depend
ant, even to think OF Mr.. Everleigh, who
was rich, fashionable, and favorite every
where? 4.1..&s 81
But I was human, after all, and this
taunt reused me.
81 can't see WHY he shouldn't marry
even me, if he loved me, y retorted. HES
a free agent, al any rate. !"
Berenice tossed her head, till her ring
let's were in a simmer.
What q little fool you are" she said,
sSfor goodness sake hold your tongue.
Mamma, love-" and she turned her back
on me, don't you mean to tell us your
good news2" -
'Assuredly, when you are polite enough
TO hearit. I've been waiting now, some
ten minutes. Are YOU and Meg quite
done with your absurd discussion9n
"Qulte, mammal It was Meg. who
started it; she's always chattering non
sense. But let us hear the news"
Aunt drew a letter from her pocket.
D "A letter. cried Rerenice; "then 1t
does not concern Mr.. Everleigh, after
all"
'sMv dear, no. No one mentioned Mr..
Everleigh's name, but yourself. I really
wish you would try and be a little more
guarded. The letter is from your uncle
in Shanghai. He is coming home. 3 5.
Berenice and gave simultaneous ex-
clanation. Since the earliest Vears Of
our childhood, tour uncle In China had
been the center about which al our
romance had revolved. He was mammals
brother, and Aunt Mary's also. Years
before, when ! was q mere baby, he had
gone abroad, become soldier and sailor by
turns, and finally had amassed, we had
heard, q great fortune. Once in q long
while q battered box that smelled Of
camphor and foreign spices came over
the seas, reminder that Uncle Hal had
not quite forgotten either mamma or
Aunt Mary. But generally the gifts
were to my aunt, ssI'hose on whom sue
cess SHINES" says the old homily, ssare
successful in all things"
When your uncle comes home from
China, Berenice dear, we will do thus and
SO, was always on my aunt's tongue; for,
rich as she WIS, at least com paratiyely,
she was always wanting more.
And now he was ccmingI Berry
screamed with delight.
7 shall ted Eyerleigh,' 7 she said slmost
instantly, and . little spitefulIy, II dare
say he'll speak now"
1t doesn't at all matter whether he
speaks q not, my daughter said my
aunt, loftily, "When your uncle arrives
and az! VIC may look for him any day next
w sa. YOU will feel, my dear, that your
position in life is doubly secured. Even
y r. Evefleigh would hardly be d match
for you'll s. 80 now you and Maggie go on
Watf your work. I'm glad our charity
fa O. IS comes off tonight; we shall be busy
hereafter preparing for yonr uncle. What
Apply he couldn't be here for Thanks
giving"