The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-08-02
geltrt Storp,
A BACHELORS TENANT.

should like to describe my horo as
young and gallant cavalier of this nine
teenth century, with the beauty Of an
Apollo and the wisdom of sage, but truth
compels me to acknowledge that Rupert
Smithson, in spite of his fine christian ap-
pellation, was neither the one nor the 9th.
er His nephew aud namesake, who was
called in the bosom of his family Rupert
the Second, said that Ills uncle Rupert was
'crusty old bachelor, and hammer my
brains in vain for more fitting descrip-
ton. A crusty old bachelor he undoubt.
edly was, more than fifty years of age,
with grizzled hair, heavy gray eyebrows, a
thick gray beard, and rough voice and
manner. 1t is true that he was very care
ful to keep the crustiest side of his nature
on the surface, aud had been discovered
in committing secretly deeds of charity
and kindness that beied utterly his habit
ually surly tone and abrupt manner
Twenty years before, when the gray hair
was nut brown, and clustered in rich curls
over the broad white forehead when the
brown eyes shone with the fire of ambi.
ton, and the clear voice was true and ten
der, Rupert Smithsou had given his heart
to Kate Carroll, neighbor aud friend, and
little sweetheart from childhood. Urged
by love as well as ambition, he had left his
home in a small western town and gone to
New York to win name and fortune to
lay at Katc's feet The fortune and fame
as u successful merchant came TO him, and
when he returned to Katie he found that
she had left her home also, 10 become the
bride of wealthy pork dealer in Cincin-
natl.
Nobody told Rupert of treachery to the
pretty Katie, of letters suppressed, of Sian.
dcrs circulated, and parental authority
stretched 10 its utmost in favor of the
wealthy suitor He bad no record of the
despair that erept over the loving hear
when the pleading letters were unanswer.
ed, of the dull apathy that yielded at last
and gave away the hand of the young girl
when her heart seemed broken. All that
the young, ardent lover knew was the one
bitter fact that the girl he loved faithfully
and iondly was false to her promises-the
wife OF another. He spoke no word Of
bitterness, but returned to the home he
had fitted up for his bride, to the business
he had hoped was the stepping stone to
happiness, and to q life of loneliness.
Ten years later, when his sister, with
her son and daughter, came to live in New
York for educational advantages, Rupert
the First was certainly what his saucy
nephew called him-a crusty old bachelor.
Yet, in that sore disappointed heart Ka-
ties dosCrlion had so wounded the bach
elor uncle took with warm love and great
indulgence his nephew and niece, bright,
handsome children of teu and twelve, who
child.like, imposed upon his good nature,
rioted over his quiet, orderly home till his
staid housekeepcr declared they were worse
than a pair OF monkeys; carcsscd him
stormingly one moment and pouted over
some refusal for monstrous indulgence
the next, and treated him generally as
bachelor uncles must expect to be treated
by their sisters children. e-f
There was some talk, when Mrs. Kim
berly camc to New York, Of making ore
household of the family, but the idea was
abandoned, aud the wealthy widow select
ed residence three doors of, in the same
block.
"Rupcrt was SO set in his fdgety old
bachelor ways she said, "that it would
be positive cruelty to disturb him"
Probably young Rupert and Flora did
not consider their bright young faces dis
turbeis of their uncles tranquility; but it
is quite certain that out of school, No. 46,
their unclc's house, saw them quite as fire.
quently SIS No. 43, where their mother re-
sided. With the intuitiye perception of
children, they understood that the abrupt,
often harsh voice, the surly word, and the
undemonslratige manner covered heart
that would have made any sacrifice for
their sakes, that loved them with as true a
love as their own dead father could have
given them. Wu
As they outgrew childhood, evidences Of
affection ceased to take the forms of dolls
and drums, and cropped up n Christmas
checks, in ball dresses aud bouquets, a
saddle horse aud various other delightful
and acceptable shapes till Rupert came Of
age, when he was taken from college into
his uncle's counting house, and a closer
intimacy than ever was cemcnted between
youth and the downward path TO old age
There had been family gathering at
Kimberly one evening, late in the month
of March, and conversation had arisen
upon the traditional customs and tricks of
the FIRST of April
"Senseless, absurd tricks" Rupert
Smithson had called them, in his abrupt,
rough way, eft only to amuse children or
idiots"
"0h, pshaw, Uncle Rupert" Flora said;
"you played April fool tricks, too, when
you were young" HsilaM
"Neverl never could sec any wit in
them. And what's more, Miss Flora,
was never once caueht in any &c the shall
low deceits." ~, .54a.i ,an5
"Never made an April fool2 b
Never, aud never will be, was the re-
ply. "But, there, child, 60 and play that
last nocturne you learned II suits me,
hate sky rocket music, but that is a dreamy
lazy air aud | like it, ti IS a
"The idea Of you liking anything dreamy
or lazy" said Mrs. Kimberly. "I thought
you were all energy and activity"
"When i work, ] work was the reply;
''but when rest, want TO rest. "
"Unele Rnpertlp broke in Rupert, sud
denly, "what will you bet can't fool yon
next week?'
"Bah The idea Of getting to my age
TO be fooled BY boy ike ycn@
"Theu you defy me y raas ,
"0f course do. M