The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-03-15
gelett StOrg.
From Peterson's Magazine.
MY RICH UNCLE FROM CHINA.

From Ptterson's Magazine.
MY RICH UNCLE FROM CHINA.
"My dears," cried Mrs. Chidleigh, hur-
rying into the morning parlOr, where Ber-
eniee and | sat, busy over blue and pink
taratnn candy bags, for the charity fair,
GIVE news for you, the very best of news"
1t was the day before Thanksgiving,
aud the fair was to be held that evening
at my aunt's house.
"What is it?' demanded Berenice scat
tering her candies. elias Mr., Eyerleigh
spoken at last p
My aunt flushed and bit her lip.
"My dear Berenice," she said, "You
should not be so outspoken To hear you,
one would fancy you were exceedingly
anxious about Mr.. Everlcigh."
"Well aren't we p interrupted Berry,
saucily, tossing her blonde hair "Im 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 ?"
Aunt was silent. | laughed as filed
blue bag with pink bon-bons.
"You seem to take it for granted Berry,"
| said, "that when Mr.. Everleigh does
speak, it will be to propose for you. Now,
you forgot me. Who can tell which he
may choose?'
Berenice cuFied her red lip
"llell not be likely to choose you Meg,
at any rate she said, with sneer.
Now, knew this to be quite true.
was poor orphan, my father died, ponni-
less, few years before, We lived in a
small cottage, with only four rooms, that
had once been the gardeners cottage, and
which had been granted to us rent free, BY
Aunt Mary. In fact, VIC were, more or
less, dependents on her bounty. Mother
ekod 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 me continually, to do
this and that, and | did not dare to refuse;
was in short kind of maid-of-all- l-work,
up at the "great house" as VIC called
Aunt Mary's residence. Sometimes |
thought, with sigh of the difference be-
tween mammas lot and Aunt Mary's.
Then | remembered that the latter had
sold herself for money, marrying an old
man whd was twice her age, and both
jealous and cxacting. Fortunately he had
died at last. But aunt Mary had, long
since, paid the penalty, by growing hard
hearted and more selfish daily, when my
own dear parent, who had married for love,
had been supremely happy; at least while
father lived. ] 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 |, a
dependent, even to think of Mr.. Eyerleigh,
who was rich, fashionable, and favorite
everywhere
But | was human, after all, and this
taunt reused me.
~ can't see why he shouldn't marry
even me, if he loved me, retorted, shes
free agent, at any rate.
Berenice tossed her head till her ring.
lets were in a simmer.
"What little fool you are" she said;
"for goodness sake hold your tongue.
Mamma, love" and she turned her back
on me, ''dont you mean to tell us good
news p
"Assurcdly, 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 discussion n
"Quite, Mamma 1t was Meg who
started il she's always chattering non
sense.
But let us hear the news"
Aunt drew a letter from her pocket.
"a letter" cried Berenice; ''then 1t docs
not concern Mr.. Everleigh, after all. y
MY dear, no. No one mentioned Mr..
Everleigh's uamo but yourself. | really
wish you would try and be a little more
guarded. The letter is from your uncle
in Shanghai. He is coming home.
Berenice and gave a simultaneous ex-
clamaiion. Sirsc the earliest years of our
childhood, "our uncle in China" had been
the centre about which all our romance
had reyolyed. He was mammas $ brother.
and Aunt Mary's also Years before.
when | was mere baby, be had gone
abroad, became soldier and sailor by turns.
and finally had amused, VIC had heard a
great fortune. Once in long while a
battered box that smelled of camphor and
foreign spices came over the seas, re.
minder that uncle Hal had not quite for
gotten either Mamma or Aunt Mary. But
generally the gifts were to my aunt.
"Those on whom success shines, says the
old homily, "arc successful in all things"
"When your uncle comes home from
China, Berenice, dear, we will do thus and
So was always on my aunts tongue, for
rich as she was, at least comparatively,
she was always wanting more.
Aud now he was coming Berry
screamed with delight.
81 shall tell Everleigh, she said, almos,
instantly, aud a little spitefully, dare say
he'll speak ROW"
Sit doesn't at all matter whether he
speaks or not, my daughter, said my aunt,
lviiily, "when your uncle arriycs-and we
may look for him any day next week
will feel my dear, that your position in
life is doubly secured. Even Mr.. Ever
leigh would hardly bca match for you |
So now you and Maggie 60 on with your