Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-08-07

am here at your own request, sir" said
Walter, RoothiDgly, thinking the old man was
certainly lunato. ~ am here 10 thank Won
for your very kind favor, and TO explain 10
you tho nature Of my business and my pros
poets OF one day Tefunding the money you so
kindly advanced, which shall wish 10 con-
slider a loan, II you please"
Yes, yes what plOney do You refer to I
am old, and my memory fails me-" answered
the old man, In voice that shook exceeding
ly
Can this be the man who wrote such lucid
business like letters" was Walters perplexed
thought; but before he could answer the
door opened, and the old woman announced
in her shrill, unpleasant tones:
They would come up, sir; they heerd that
| young shavera voice, they said" And Mrs.
| Cumberland and Johnny entered. The former
cast glance OF surprise at the old man, who
made no attempt to greet hor, and asked:
dear Walter2"
"Yes, mother, he Is here !" answered Wal.
ter, indicating the old man, in extreme sur
prise at his mothers non-reoognilion Of her
relative.
"That gentleman ? That Is not nv uncle 2n
| exclaimed Mrs. Cumberland rising in great
excitement, and going towards the old man.
who shrank back, crying:
Keep of, woman, keep of Why, do you
think ive-and-twenty years do not change a
man ?"
'You are an impostor, you wicked old man
walter, there IL some fearful villainy at work
herei but You will make this man confess
what he has done with my uncle, and why
he is incorporating here, master Of his house,
and assuming his name |" said Mrs Oumber-
land, sternly, though she Was trembling with
terror.
why, just look mother, shouted Johnny.
before Walter could reply, 'he's only an old
guy dressed up for the fifth Of November,
after all"
And NJ he spoke, with the activity OF
monkey, the boy sprang behind the pretend.
ed old man, and with one bound dragged of
wig, sknll-cap, spectaclss, and other disguis-
es, leaving exposed to view the sinister fea-
lures OF dark man, apparently about fifty
years OF age.
With furious OATH the detected impostor
sprang at Johnny; but Walter quickly seized
him by the collar, and forced him down into
a chair.
''Itawston!" exclaimed Mrs. Cumberland.
AZ this critical moment the door opened, and
Carries old gentleman entered
What is all this about 2" he inquired
Uncle, dear unolei" cried Mrs. Oumber.
land.
The revulaion Of feeling was 80 great that
she was presently sObbing on his neck like a
child.
AT his entrance, spurious Mr. Dobell would
have skunk away; but Walter held him tight
ly. Johnny, too, was dancing about him,
with his lists elenohed, longing 10 have a
chance Of pummelling him.
80, sir, said Mr.. Dobell, "this is nv re.
ward for allowing you to make your home
here for quarter OF n century. Let him 90,
Walter; l could prosecute him for alander
and forgery, and several other crimes; but he
is my nephew, my only brothers only son.
and do not wish the family name to be dis
graced by making his proceedings public.
Rawston Dobell glAred at the old man with
imPotent malice, and with muttered curses
rushed out Of the room. Mr.. Dobell then
sent away Johnny and his mother, and turn
ing to Walter, said, II was delighted TO hear
OF your success but have some better news
still. What will you say, when l tell you that
besides providing you with a fortune, | have
also found yOu a wife?"
Really, uncle, you honor me, but"
Now, no thanks, my boy, not a word
You never saw sweeter girl. II l we're a
young man, you would not have her, | can
tell you; but come down stairs with mel
shall introduce you at once-you will find |
never do things by halvesi"
But uncle, really i"
Nov do be quiet, my boy. OF course, l
know the natural repugnance of mankind to
matrimony; | never could summon up cour
age enough to make the sacrifice myaelf
But have taken fancy to this girl l shall
leave her considerable sum, and, by your
marriage shall thus benefit You, too !'
Excuse me, uncle" said Walter, following
Mr.. Dobell in hopeless misery at the fresh
complications OF this eventful day, ~ cannot
possibly marry the young lady !"
Nov, do pray wait till you have seen her
You don't suppose | want you to propose
straight of. Trust me, you shall not marry
her till you desire to do 80
With this, the determined old man opened
door, and disclosed girl sitting near the
window, book in hand She turned as they
entered.
"Walter!"
Carrie, my daringl"
Don't believe him. my dear don't believe
a word Of it, " cried Mr.. Dobel, rolling in his
easy chair, in paroxysms of mirth. He says
he will not marry you he has been telling
me so all the way down stairs"
"Hou may have your joke sir, and welcome,
since have Carrie, said Walter, with hap
py laugh.
Presently Mrs. Cumberland and Johnny ar
rived on the scene, and also the dinner over
which meal there were mutual confessions
made and congratulations given, and Carrie
became quite heroine when il was discover
cd that it was through her that all this happi-
meas had been obtained.
Carrie and Walter were soon married, and
lived In the large town where the latter car
rled on his business, but every year they visit
their uncle.
Mrs. Cumberland has given up all her pu-
pills. She and Johnny reside with Mr.. Do
bell, whose home is now picture of bright
ness and comfort, as Johnny remarks;
Rather different place 10 what it was
under the despotic reign of Old Moneygrub /"