Wichita eagle., 1889-10-19
THE UNCLE FROM ABROAD.


wreck and left his four motherless children
to her care. This 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 at once and seek for
work. But in the midst Of the anxieties OF
the poor family an unexpected ray of hope
appeared
A letter was received from Bruno Mau.
vahre, the widows brother-in-law, who had
left home as sailor twenty years before. He
wrote from Dieppe, which was but a few
miles away, and said that he had just come
from America with all bis worldly goods, and
intended Immediately to visit Ormondville
his native place. At that time it was no,
very unusual to see at Dieppe merchants
whose ships crowded the harbor and who
had left home years BEFORE in the dress OF
common sailors, and the sight of these fortu.
nate ones was constant source of encourage
rnent to the ambitious, and of hope to the
penniless. The unexpected news of their I'M
Gle from America, therefore, gave rise to the
most delightful conjectures in the Mauvaire
family, for although he did not state the ex-
act amount of his fortune, it was easy to sec
from the jovial tone of his letter that he was
a man of wealth and prosperity. Once start
ed, imagination ran riot, each one adding
something to the first supposition.
perhaps if he had come before, my poor
Didier need not have worked so hard" sighed
the widow
Julienne. her goddaughter, who helped with
the housework, replied quickly, but there are
his children to be provided for, and besides
the rich uncle will no doubt see to it that
Miss Clemence has q rich marriage dowry."
THAT would be no use now, /" said the young
girl, shaking her head hopelessly.
''No usei" repeated Juhenne. SIS itnot for
Che want of dowry that Mr. Marks parents
have refused their consent to his marriage
and sent him off to sea- Your uncle has but
go say the word and the young man will soon
come back again"
"PerhaaS he does not want to come back
said CleInence in q low tone, and turned away
But her brother, thinking less Of the man
than of the marriage, added consolingly: IF
he does not another will. You may be sure,
sister, that pretty girl with an uncle from
America need never want for a husband
Very likely be will bring young friend with
him, some millionaire that he has chosen for
a nephew"
Il hope he viii do nothing Of the kind, ?"
cried Clenence in dismay. Il am in no
hurry to get married.
What is most urgent is to find good posi-
ton for you, Martini" said the widow in an
anxious tone to her son.
1.-The count has almost promised me the
overseer's 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 pleas
ures, and when at last they happen to remem-
Der the bit of bread promised TO a fellow
creature the poor man has starved to death"
"Uncle Bruno will not forget u.s." said
Martin ''The letter says L shall be in Or
mondville tomorrow with all my worldly
goods He will soon be here"
"Clemence, is everything readyf" asked the
mother, busting about.
For answer her daughter opened the pantry
and showed the well filled shelves Near to
a roast leg Of lamb was huge ham, thanked
by two dishes of wheat cakes and a bowl of
sweet cream, while several jugs OF cider and
butter tart completed bill of fare which
made the children exciaim in delight The
widow had taken from her linen chest her
best tablecloth, which had grown yellow
through want of use, and Julienne now hast
ened 10 set tie table, putting in the place of
honor the only silver spoon. Just then one
of the children who had been watching out
side rushed into the house eXclaiming: Here
be is; here he is!'
who is itf" asked the Others.
Uncle Bruno Of courseln answered q
CHEEKY voice. and there appeared in the door
way an old, bearded sailor, holding in one
hand a small bundle and on his other wrist a
green parrot, while on his shoulder perched
a monkey. The younger children in alright
ran behind their grandmother's chair and
the grown persons gazed at the newcomer in
dismayed silence
you need not be afraid of my menagere,"
said the sailor, laughing Come and kiss
me, children, for l have travelled three thou
sand leagues to have that pleasure"
Martin Mauvaire was the first to recover
himself sufficiently to greet his relation; then
Clemence, her mother and the eldest of the
children followed his example, but nothing
could induce the three little ones to stir
"My faith! | thought | would never be
here said the uncle; 1T is long walk from
Dieppe."
His nephew glanced down and saw that the
travellers boots were covered with mud
DO you mean to say that you walked all
the wayf' he cried.
Indeed, did. Do you think could sail
across the teldsl"
"But-your baggage?"
Il have my baggage on me-"
IL beg your pardon, uncle, but we thought
from YOUR letter that you would
That L would come in three decker, my
boyf'
mo" replied Martin, forcing laugh, "but
with your trunks for long stay
Me! Trunksf
'sYes; you said you would bring all your
goods"
And have brought them-my parrot and
my monkey"
SIS that all!'
"All excepting my bundle, and there is
nothing in this but some heelless socks and
old shirts But what does it matter, as long
as ones conscience and digestion are goodl
Excuse NE, siSterin-law, but | see cider in
YOUR pantry, and | am thirsty after my walk.
Come, Rochamoeau, say how-do 10 Your re-
lations"
He made sign TO the monkey. who leaped
from his shoulder and turned three somer-
saults across the room, then sat up, grinning
and scratching his head. His master Their
seated himself at the table and, with glance
at the half open pantry, declared that be was
nearly famished. There was nothing to be
done but TO set before him the ham and the
cider which he had seen. but Mime. Mauvaire
When Baby was sick, we gave her Castoris,
When she Was a Child she cried for Castoria,