Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-19
A Stranger From the Orient
BY EUGENE L. DIDIER.
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH


sI don't know what children are made for
except to torment their parents especially
their mothers" petulantly cried Mrs. Despard,
as she entered the parlor one evening, after put
ting her five children to bed, for it was the
nurses evening out.
ssChildren are the angels of this life, my
dear" said Mr.. Despard, looking up from his
book. and displaying a singularly refined face,
whose features though delicate were of
highly intellectual character. 1t was the face
of man better fitted for the elegant retire
ment of a library than for the rough battle of
life.
ANGELS ~ exclaimed Mrs. Despard. 'Imps,
rather How hate themr'
What an unnatural sentimentr' said Mr..
Despard, with an expression of mock horror.
''Why you are worse than the beast of the field
and the birds of the air. Children are the
lovely buds of the garden of life. My children
are perpetual pleasure to me-"
children are very nice as play things-to be
dropped when you are tired of them" returned
his wife. THAT is very different from being
the slave Of their silly caprices and childish
whims. My present existence is complete
sacrifice"
"Do you call taking care of your children
sacrifice? That is only natural duty; the
birds, the beasts and the insects take care OF
their young"
at is all very well for you to lecture me upon
the duty to my children, but you take very good
care to shirk all your own duties in that re-
spect"
what duties do shirk? Do 1 not provide
clothes, food and education for my childrenf
My duties are different from yours"
Had not that precious uncle of yours robbed
you Of half your fortune, we might have enough
to live on"
"Poor Uucle William, always pitied him."
"Pitied him." cried Mrs Despard. We'll,
you should get PAIR of wings and go to heaven
for you are too good for this wicked world The
idea of pitying the man who robbed you, your
uncle and guardian, too, who should have been
the first to protect you"
He was SO clever, so handsome" Mr.. Des-
pard began.
Handsome is as handsome does" cried Mrs.
Despard. He may have been as handsome as
Apollo, but he behaved UNANIMOUSLY to you"
I'VE do not know to what temptation he was
exposed" Mr.. Despard was beginning to say.
when his wife broke in:
"You are too ridiculous for anything The
idea of making excuses for the man who rob-
bed you of half your fortune I have no pa
tience with man SO soft-hearted."
Ihave often wondered what became of my
uncle"
~ suppose he is living elegantly upon your
money in Italy. where s25, 600 would be regarded
rs a handsome fortune"
Al would like to see him again"
'1 would like to see the money he stole.''
~ owe very much to him"
He paid himself very well when he ran away
with SIS 900 of your money"
'Was not that the front door bell" said Mr..
Despard, rising
"Itls 10 O'Clock, too late for visitor in this
quiet place"
'Itmay be some belated traveller
"Well. this is not hotel. The. village inn
will welcome any coming guest"
There's the bell again. Unjust open the
door,"
In few moments he ushered into the parlor
q tall, handsome, distinguished-looking gentle
man, whose pure white hair and beard were in
striking contrast with his dark, luminous eyes,
and deep, olive complexion.
Mr.. Despard introduced the stranger to his
wife DR.. Arminius, an Arabian physician
from ConstantinopIe. He made a low bow, and
placed his right hand upon his left breast. His
manner was grave, and dignifed, and reveren-
tiaL
"Dr. Arminius is a friend of Uncle Will
iam,'" said Mr.. Despard, offering cake and wine
to the visitor
Il congratulate him upon having such a
friend" began Mrs. Despard.
Perhaps am his greatest enemy. We have
9 saying in the East: Call no man your friend
until he is dead. We should be the best OF
friends, for our interests as identical the
soul and the body"
THE strangers voice was deep and rich; he
spoke with calm deliberation, as though he
was engaged in the mental process of translat-
ing his words as he uttered them.
''Uncle William went away p years ago. and
we have never heard anything from him until
this moment" +" said Mr. Despard.
He has had many ups and downs, but being
an American he always lighted upon his feet.
For the last ten years he has held the lucrative
position of chief physician to the Sultan.
Abdul Hamid has q very high opinion of
American talent of every kind. From pulling
teeth to making cannon, he thinks the Ameri-
cans are the cleverest people in the world. DO
you remember your Uncle WilliamP'
He has good reasons to remember him."
quickly replied Mrs Despard.
Perfectly, but all these years must have
changed his appearance
SIS he married?" asked Mrs Despard.
'.No. The domestic life of the many-wived
Sultan has no doubt deferred him from the |
perilous joys of matrimony" |
"Hels rich old bachelor, then" said Mrs. |
Despard.
"Well, don't know whether he would be |
called rich man in America. but $4,000 is |
regarded as a large sum IN the East
"Five hundred thousand dollarsr' cried Mrs. |
Despard. "Do you mean to say that William |
Despard has been rolling in wealth while his |
nepheW Whom ne so Snametully wronged, has |
been living in poverty and seclusion?'
The stranger made no response to this out |
burst of feeling; in fact he did not seem to |
notice Mrs. Despard's last remark, but sat |
gravely contemplating a superb solitaire dia- |
mond ring on the little finger of his left hand |
Mr.. Despard was the first to speak. In the |
sottest tones he said:
my dear. we must not forget that DR.. Ar |
minus has been travelling, and would like to
retire. Is the guest chamber ready?"
mo, but will see that it is ready in a few
minutes" said Mrs. Despard, feeling herself |
dismissed, and sailing out of the parlor in dis
gust.
Early the next morning the visitor was |
awakened by various sounds, loud and shrlll
proceeding from the nursery. He arose,
dressed and descended to the porch, which
commanded fine view of woods, fields and
mountains. He had not been there long be-
fore a troop of merry children appeared upon
the scene The eldest was girl of 10, bright
and beautiful with dark brown eyes. There
were five of them in all. They stood in grace
ful attitudes. glancing at the stranger with
childish curiosity. They all had brown eyes,
and were lovely and refined looking, although
very plainly dressed.
The stranger looked at them for a few mo-
ments, while grave but sweet emile passed
over his face, as he said:
"Who are you and where did YOU all come
from?"
I'VE are the Despard children and have Just
come from the nursery" said the eldest child. |
who acted as speaker for the party. My name
is Grace. know that is the next question
you are going to ask me. It's generally the |