The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-10-17
UNCLE BRUNO.

who had been her only support, had
perished by shipwreck aud left his four
mothcrlcss children TO bier care. Tins
misfortune had indefinitely postponed, if
not entirely prevented the marriage of
her daughter, besides cutting short the
studies Of her second son who was obliged
to come home and seek for work. But
in the midst Of the auxictics of the poor
family an unexpected ray Of hope APP
pcarcd
4 letter was received from Bruno
Mauyairc, the widows brother law,
who had left home as u sailor twenty
years before. lie wrote from Dleppc.
which was but q few miles away, and
said that lac had Just come from America
with all his worldly goods, and intended
Immediately to visit Ormondyille his
native place Al that time it is not very
unusual to see at Dicppc merchants,
whose ships crowded the harbor, and
who had left home years before, in the
dress Of common sailors, and the sight Of
these fortunate ones was constant
source OF encouragement to the am
bilious, and of hope 10 the pennless.
The unexpected news of their uncle from
America, therefore, gave rise to the most
delightful coniccturcS in the Mauvairc
family, for although lac did not state the
exact amount of his fortune, it was easy
TO see from the joval tone of his letter,
that he was u man Of wealth and pros
pcrity. Once started, Imagination ran
riot, each one adding something to the
first supposition.
Perhaps if he had come before, my
poor Didicr need not have worked SO
hard, 60 sighed the widow
Suicnuc, her god daughter who
helped with the house work, replied
quickly: But there ara his children to
be provided for, aud besides the rich
uncle will, no doubt, see to 1t that Miss
Clcmcncc has q rich marriage dowry.'
"That would bc no use now, - said the
young girl, shaking her head hope
lcssly
"No use" repeated Juicnnc. as it
not for the want of dowry that Mr..
Mark parents have refused their con-
sent to his marriage, and sent him off to
sea? Your uncle has but to say the word
and the young man will soon come back
again
"Pcrhaps he does not want to come
back, said Clemcncc in Il low tone, aud
turned away.
But her brother, thinking less Of the
man than Of the marriage, added con
soingly: If he does not, another viii.
You may be sure, sister, that "A pretty
girl with an uncle from America need
never want for husband. Very likely
he will bring Il young friend with him,
some millionaire that he has chosen for
nephew
IL hope he will do nothing OF the
/ kind" cried Clcmcncc in dismay. IL
am in no hurry to get married,
"What is most urgent Is tn find u
| good position for you. Martin" said the
widow in an anxious tone to her son.
"lhe Count has almost promised me
the oyersecrs place." said the young
man.
His mother answered: "But he seems
to be in no hurry. That is always the
way with the rich. They think only Of
their own pleasures, and when ut last
they happen 10 remember the bit of bread
promised 10 fellow creature, the poor
man has starved to death"
"Uncle Bruno will not forget us,
said Martin. The letter says: i shall b;
in Ormondville tomorrow with all my
worldly goods lie will soon be here.
Clemencc, is everything ready
asked the mother, bustIing about.
! h.,. "a =,
pantry and showed the wcll-hllcd shelves
The widow had taken from her linen
chest her best tablc-cloth, which In,
grown yellow through want Of use, anC
Juiicnne now FASTENED to set the table
putting in the place of honor the oni,
silver spoon, Just then one of the chill
dren who had been watching outsid
rushed into the house eXclaiming, Her
he is; here he is"
"Who is it:' asked the others.
CUncle Bruno, OF course" answered
cheery voice, and there appeared in th
doorway an old bearded sailor, holding j
one hand small bundle and on his othe
wrist green parrot, while on his shoulde
perched monkey. Tho younger chi
dren, in alright, ran behind their grand
mothers chair and the grown person
gazcd at the newcomer in silence.
You need not be afraid of my mcr
agerie," said the sailor laughing. "Com
and kiss me, children, for have ira,
eled three thousand leagues to have tin
pleasure"
, Martin Nhuvaire was the first 10 reco'
, er himself sufficiently TO greet his rel
t tion, then Clemence, her mother and Il
eldest of the children followed his exam
: pie, but nothing could induce the thr
little ones To stir.
1 "My faith thought would never
4 here saM the uncle, "it is long VA
. from DicPpe.'
+. Ills nephew glanced down and sa
Chat the Ira.elcra boots were covered w.
u,ud
40 You mean to say that you walk
: all the ,,ay" hs cried.
!, Indeed | did, DO you thia'i cou
salt lc.O,s the llclls!'