The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-02-06
MY RICH UNCLE.
Why the Nephew Never Missed
His "Lost Expectations"


CHAPTERI
My innate idea of rich uncle was a bland
old gentleman, with tips e. sovereigns-
at his fingers ends Experience corrected
that. Asked at a school examination the
derivation of the term ''curmudgeon,n |
answered unhesitatingly, "Uncle Dick"
He had auarreled with my mother-his
darling sister-for marrying Frenchman,
and never seen her since. He lived unmar-
'ried, and alone. My mother, long widowed,
had partially recovered the loss of tender
husband, never this arrangement from a
cruel brother. 1t embittered two lives, not
80 say three. He had tacitly accepted me
rs his heir, expressly, know for the pleas
ure of plaguing me to death beforehand
Two annual visits paid him at Hamerton
Grange. Conceive a young Daniel con
oeinned twice year to cast himself into a
hons den. Each time | escaped alive, only
by miracle, felt sure. One morning my
mother received q letter in his HANDWRITING
Its perusal so excited her that | foolishly
'dreamt he had relented. Her tones unde-
Ceived me.
'1Davidl" she exclaimed, impressively.
hiding her face, prepare for the very
worst"
what is he dead or dying9" inquired,
dying! No such thing! Lives to de-
fraud you-my poor, innocent boy. Robbed
of your own-your all! Dick, what mon
strous revenge is this. He's going to be
married, she explained.
SIS that all?" said |, like the uncommon
am. She read aloud;
"The lady. Miss P. Celia Watson, is
6wenty-siX of excellent American lineage
Her father was formerly commander of the
constabulary, and died in the diplomatic
service at Unionopolis. Her mother was
q howard, connected with certain leading
families among our old nobility. Miss
Watson is a lady of culture and refinement
well worthy to share my name | think it
my duty to apprise you of an event that
touches you so nearly. My nephew is well
shall even be happy to see him at the cere-
mony on the 3lst proxino."
Here she broke down, sobbng nervously.
Insult heaped upon injury. l believe
you always meant to, Dick"
Suddenly she looked up with a CLEAN of
inspiration.
81 don't believe she's lady-or Ameri-
can. She never was christened Celia.
She's forty if she's day. Diplomatic
service. Unionapolis-why that's where
our former solicitor, Hopkins, emigrated
to. Fll write to him for full particulars
about Miss P. Celia Watson"
The approaching University boat race
seemed then to me of more consequence
than the antecedents of my future aunt
Five weeks later my visit to Hamerton
Grange fell due. That morning arrived the
answer from Indianapolis.
This exceeds my brightest hopes" con-
Sessed my mother, as she read"
miss WatsOn's all right Them said !,
inn0cently. With fond, plying look she
replied:
'David, give your uncle this letter. He
stands on the verge of a precipice-this
will save him. He who said | disgraced
him by marrying D'Aubigny! You may
read it, David"
mo, thank you" said l. pocketing the
document. seemed to feel it there like a
red-hot coal. Pleasant, carrying bomb
RS wedding present for an uncle like Dick |
IL was two hours journey to Hamerton
with change at Pidcot. Absorbed in
:P,s',ch, barely noticed my fellow-passen-
elderly cleric. thought we must be near
lug Pidcot, when the carriage began jerk
ing in an extraordinary manner. I'm
pleasant short, sharp whistles sounded.
Suddenly the young lady oppsite flung her
self on the back seat beside me, steadyine
her feet against the woodwork "Sit still. .
she said, it'll be smash directly"
One moment | spent in no-man's land.
What happened, | never exactly knew.
The next thing / was aware of was my
tnejghbor's voice saying:
"We're all right now.n
iopened my dazed eyes. Human forms
damned together, broken glass; splinters,
told gentlemen insensible, old ladies shrek
lug, blood streaming from cut in some
tbody's head. Horror paralyzed me; not so
any fair companion.
"Open the door, she said
''It's locked" objected.
Lost your railway key? Take mine"
l obeyed, and we extricated the parson,
who was beginning to recover.
''More frightened than hurt, J." she decided.
t'Get some brandy" Then, as gazed help
.fessly adown the ditch, she added: Don't
you see the tavern sign behind those treesl
Ruu." ran. When l returned she had
bound up the cut quieted the hysterical la
dies. and was looking at her watch" | shall
miss the Hamerton train she said. Get
nay travelling beg out of the carriage,
please" l got it, Nobody seemed really
injured, but the line was hopelessly blocked
for hours. "How far to PidcotP sue asked
of the guard. ''Six miles One could drive
''If only cabs grew wild like those prim-
rosesl" sighed. "Hamerton is my destina-
tiOn, too.n
81 see a spring-cart in the tavern she'd
and horses in the field. Come across. Per,
maps we can talk them into putting to-"
Aud, by energetic persuasions she actu.
,ally induced somebody to drive us-she
kindly offered to take me-to Pidcot for a
consideration. ! hesitssed, thinking the
consideration excessive.
That's no concern of ours" she re.
minded me, "charge it TO the company"
Before our fellow passengers had well
realized their souls and bodies still belonged
together, we two were half way TO Pdcot, |
expressing boundless admiration OF her
cool intrepidity
90" she remarked 81 was in bigger
smash once, in the Statesr
Statesl ! started A fair American,
Bound for Hameiton.
by all the laws Of likelihood, my future