The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-25

sun-burned straw hat with a chewed edge
on his back a very tight and shiny Prince
| Albert coat, whereof every button was
missing, their place being supplied with
various-sized pins: his les were covered
with very baggy and wriukled trousers OF
/ EnIT-CClOred cashmere. while his feet
| were incased in pair OF Congress CATERS
| that were 50 patched and tied with strings
| AMI 50 run down and over, ana burst in SO
many places. that il seemed miracle that
they did not fall to pieces upon being looked
q.
Tie young man bore the scrutiny of the
-ervitor with easy good-nature, iincering
! his mustache the while, and seemed Sc
se!f-possesse1 that John Thomas, who a:
first had but one mind, and that TO shut the
door in MS face, began TO have his doubts.
You wish to sec" he began, hesitat-
inglv.
Mr.. TheOphilus Brown" said Mr.. James
him that card, my good man, and L will
wait an answer. STAY! On second
thoughts, lead on, and | VIII follow
The man was too bewildered 10 protest;
besides, he was NV to the house, and al
though he felt that his situation was trcm-
bling IN the balance, he meek3y moved to-
ward the library, followed by the pre-
sump5uous stranger.
Mr.. Brown had just finished reading his
nephew's note for the third c,n? as the SER
want entered and laid the card on the desk,
and he had just tiiae to glance at it, when
the young man with the miraculous shoes
seized his hand.
''The same old man." he cried, joyfully;
"npt changed a bit, Age can not stale nor
time wither an ounce of Th.oph. Bless
your heart, sir, how glad am to see you:
How do YOU dO."
Mr.. Brown shot up from his chair like a
rocket, impurpled with rage, and absolute
ly glared az the intruder.
"WhO-what-whatd does this mean:" he
rOared, while John Thomas fled for his life.
''Who are you, sir: and what do you
want:"
"Who am T." repeated the other, in ap-
parentlv great wonder. ''Well, upon my
word, this is humiliating indeed. Not re-
member me, Are we, then, indeed, so
soon forgotten when we are gone: Why,
sir, | remember you like a book"
Very likely" said Mr.. Brown, fiercely;
''you havn't answered my question. Who
are you, SIR"
Il, sir" replied the intruder, making
hasty but Intellectual search for handlier
chief, lam James Brown Bartlum-my
card lies before you. In short, sir, am
your Eephew.'
Indeed" said Mr.. Brown, looking from
the card to the owner, and eyinG bOth with
considerable disfavor. 80 you are
JamesE'
Yes, sir" said James taking a chair,
and composing himself therein with great
care. q am the unfortunate young man
of whom you have no doubt heard great
many tales"
And nothing good" said Mr.. Brown,
sharply, sitting down with a bump.
Il am sorry to hear it" re- Joined Mr..
RarlIum, with an air of great concern.
The breath Of slanler might have passed
ne by; but no matter. To chan e the sub
ject: it has been five years since L last saw
you"
Yes"
you have not changed particle while
I--waii, I're seen the world, uncle"
''Indee,.. sir"
II hsr e travelled from Hearts Content to
San Diego, and been all things to all men.
l have surprised myself by working at
carpentry, driving stage and editing a
paper. all inside of six months. | dined at
the Palace Hotel in Frisco with the Corean
Embassy one day, and exactly thirty days
fro!u that date l was in Virginia City,
saving wood for my dinner. You never
sawed wood, uncle!"
Never"
''You wouldn't like it; neither did I; but
a man must eat, uncle"
There is no DANGER" said Mr.. Brown,
Dramatically, "of any man starving if he
will work"
"Hurbug, my dear sir" cried Mr.. Bart
lum, ch"erfully. "DOnt't you believe it. I
have tri'd it, and l know. Besides, a man
needs clC theS and roof over his head in
al Hilton 10 his daily bread. The world is
very big, anCle, but it seems to be all pre-
empted by some one else. | have knocked
all around the American part OF it, and
here | am back where L started, returning
to my native city, and spending the first
night in the StatiOn-hOuse."
"Jn the station -hOuSen'
''As lodger, sir. Don't be alarmed, sir;
your nephew is poor, but strictly honest
many trials he has never done
anything worse than saving wood. Your
spoons are perfectly safe, sir"
Then, SIR" said Mr.. Brown, sternly,
''pGrhaps you will condescenl to tell me
just what you want"
Mr. James Bartlum arose and stood be-
fore bis uncle like statue. Mr.. Brown
looked at him from head to foot, and noted
in detail every article of his r;nment, until
his eyes became riveted ON the Congress
gaiters, and these proved too much for him.
1t is very humorous" said Mr.. Bart
lum, smiling easily at his uncle's unbound
ed mirth, IAN | have often enjOved Tia en-
myself. 1 am quite a cartoon, [ know. and
ii | were wearing these clothes for fun, |
don't know but that | should see the funny
side more frequently"
Mr.. Brown suddenly checked himself and
became grave. "Sit down." he said. Il
beg your pardon. You are in need of-of
clOthes:"
neutrality-suspicious., money, place to
sleep, friends"
why did you come to me-"
''Why does the drowning man seize a
straw:''
"What claim have you on me?"
''None-only that we are of one blood.
Understand me, sir. l know you are not
Il
relationship for a moment. Consider
simply that l am merely a starving man,
ready and willing to do anything for a
living, with not a cnance in ten thousand
to get situation. Consider that YOU are
rich, never know what it is to go hungry to
bed, and can count up ten thousand friends.
Consider"
great rage. "Do you suppose l am going
to turn you out-of-doOrs? Nothing OF the
sort. This house is yours, sir, as long as
YOU behave yourself. You have been a
vagabond, sir-you are a vagahond, sir,
and have no pity for your misfortunss.
John will show you to my sons room. You
George? You can make your
self presentable, l dare say.'
"Uncle, you overpower me! l expected
nothing more than dollar-and 4 kick"
$50, sir, No more of your shameful
Ievity. You shall pay me for this, sir,
never fear. Throw away those shameful
clothes, sir; aud burn your shoes, sir
burn them"
Mr.. Bartlum was a rapid dresser, but
when he returned, inside of thirty minutes.
bathed, shaven, and attired in George
Browns best suit of black, his uncle had
vanished; so he planted himself in his
vacant chair, possessed himself OF hook,
and made himself comfortable. Hardly
had he done 50 when the door flew open
and very dark young man and a very
fair young woman rushed in and almost
fell upon him.
20, sir" cried the young man and the
young woman in a breath; and then they
paused and looked at each other in evident
while Mr.. Bartlum regarded