Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-03

nre. ADSalOm BUTT was perfect mlSer |
He had seen his sixtieth birthday and
his hair was sparse and white. His form
was short and spare, and somewhat bent.
His face was deeply furrowed by the
passing time, and its lines were hard
and cold. His clothes were old and
patched, and his shoes, even, were sadly
in want of mending. The cold breath of
winter was close at hand, and yet the
only fuel he had was such as he had been
able to pick up by the roadside, and at
the edge of the pond. Tie house in
which he lived was but poor howell,
with only two rooms, and with furniture
more fit for fire wood than anything else.
There were four windows in the house,
and every spare rag of clothing he owned
was in use for the replacing of broken
panes.
And vet Absalom Burr was worth fifty
thousand dollars, though he contrlved to
be taxed for only about ten thousand,
which was invested in houses that he
rented in town.
He was never known to bestow pen
nv in charity, though many poor and
suffering fellow-creature had begged for
assistance at his hands.
Alone had he lived for many a long
year, and his heart was all hardened and
closed up against every kindly feeling.
He spent his time in attending to his
rents, picking up wood and rags by the
wayside, and counting his money at
home.
One Monday evening near the last of
November, the stage stopped in front of
Absalom's hut, and a young female was
helped out by the driver, and a trunk
and bandbox put down after her. It was
Kate Owen.
The old man had not seen her for ten
years, but he remembered well how his
sister had looked when she was girl,
and here was her exact image. Hates
mother was the only sister he ever had,
and he was the only brother she ever
had, and thus Kate was the only near
relative he had living.
The girl helped carry her own trunk
in, and as soon as she had removed her
bonnet, she threw her arms around her
uncle's neck and kissed him. He started
back at this, and severe look passed
over his face.
Kate Owen was pretty girl, and she
had left behind her not one acquaintance
who did not love her. She was short,
plump, laughter loving being, with brown
hair and hazel eyes, and when she laughed,
the dim pies deepened in her cheeks and
chin, and the dark curls shook about
her fair temples. In fact, one look at
her happy face was as good as medicine
for the blues, and the ring of her rich
and merry laugh was contagious.
"My dear uncle,'' she said, after she
had seated herself at the fire, "are you
not glad I've Gomez
"Well-yes; shouldn't want you tC
be without home out mind you are
to help me. You won't be an expense
to me-"
got course I won't. Why, I'll return
you tenfold. How snug and happy we
will be next winter! You won't be here
all alone to hear the wind blow, and the
hail thump and rattle against the win
dows. And shall feel better, too, than
l should If I was away among strangers. u
"But you've got to go among strangers
sometimes. You can't expect to find a
home here always"
so, no, uncle, ofcourse not. But then
while do stay here We'll enjoy it, won't
WEI"
~ enjoy myself very well at any time. >
Kate understood all this. She knew
just what her uncle was, and she had
come prepared to meet all his peculiari-
ties. She kept the same happy smile up
On her face, and in the same sweet tones
did she address the old miser under al
circumstances Ere long she asked hel
uncle where she would find the materials
for supper, for she confessed that she was
hungry.
81 eat some bread and cheese when ]
am hungry" he told her.
"But haven't you any tea? or -four? or
butter9''
"There may be a little butter" said the
cid man, reluctan tly; "but don't think
there's any -four, and tea is something
don't use.''
"But you love it, uncle?"
9"Why, yes-but it costs too much
'And sugar, have you any of that?'
'No. I get along very well without
| it.n
"Then you wait few minutes. and L L
run out and get some. 1 saw store az
come by, only few rods back from
| here"
And as she spoke she put on her bon
net and shawl
"But don't have any account at the
store" uttered the old man teaIfully
'They won't trust me-"
"Never mind. Ihave the money. Just
you see to the fire, and m Ind the tea-ket
tie boils.'
And thus speaking, Kate ran out. IL
about fifteen minutes she returned, and
in her arms she bore quite little heap
Of packages. A little bundle of flour, a
package of tea, some sugar, a small
new tin pail full of milk, and SO on.
Her next movement was to huut ur
the bread. She found loaf of bakers
bread, and having cut it up into slices
she placed it near the fire to toast. Then
she moved out the old table. and after
the leaves were raised she inquired for a
table cloth. but the old man had none.
But she was prepared for this, and
more too Tn her trunk she not only