The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-11-14
THE UNCLE FROM AMERICA

THE UNCLE FROM AMERICA,
The widow Mauvaire had suffered
many reyerses of fortune. Her eldest
son. who had been her sole support, had
persisted by shipwreck and left his four
mothcrless 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 unex-
pected ray of hope appeared.
A letter was received from Bruno
Mauvaire the widows brother-in-law,
who had left home as sailor twenty
years before. He wrote from Dieppe,
which was but few miles away, and
said that he had just come from
America with all his worldly goods,
and intended Immediately to visit
Ormondville, his native place. At that
time it was not very unusual to see at
Dieppe merchants, whose ships crowded
the harbor, and who had left home
wears before, in the dress of common
sailors, and the sight of these fortunate
ones was u constant source of encOur-
agement to the ambitious and of hope
to the penniless. The unexpected
news of their uncle from America,
therefore, gave rise to the most delight
full coniectures in the Mauvaire family,
for although he did not state the exact
amount of his fortune, it was easy to
see from the jovial tone of his letter
that he was a man of wealth and pros
perity. Once started 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 god-daughter, 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 CIemence has a rich marriage
dowry."
That would be no use now" said
the young girl, shaking her head hope
lessly.
No use!" repeated Julienne. is it
not for the want of a dowry that Mr..
Marks 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"
Perhaps he does not want to come
back, said Ciemence in low tone, and
turned away.
But her brother, thinking less of the
man than of the marriage, said conso-
lingly: If he does not another will.
You may be sure, sister, that a pretty
girl with an uncle from America need
never want for a husband. Veri likely
he will bring young friend with him.
some millionaire that he has chosen for
a nephew"
Il hope he will do nothing of the
kind!' cried Clemence in dismay. Il
am in no hurry to Get married"
What is most urgent is to find a
good position for you, Martini said
the widow in an anxious tone to he
son.
The count has almost promised me
the oyerseer's place" said the young
man.
His mother answered: But he
seems to be in no hurry. That is al
ways the way with the rich. They
think only of their own pleasures anc
when at last they happen to remembe1
the bit of bread promised to a fellow
creature the poor man has starved t(
death. :"
Uncle Bruno will not forget US,
said Martin. The letter says, i shal
be in Ormondville tomorrow with al
my worldly goods He will soon b'
here
,'Clemence is everything ready?'
asked the mother, bustling about.
For answer her daughter opened thC
pantry and showed the well-tilleC
shelves. Near to a roast leg of laml
was a huge ham, tlanked by two dishes
of wheat-cakes and bowl of swee
cream, while several jugs of cider anC
butter-tart completed Il bill of far'
which made the children eXclaim Will
delight. The widow had taken from
her linen-chest her best table-cloth
which had grown yellow through wan
Of use, and Julienne now fastened tt
set the table, putting in the place o
honor the only silver spoon. just thel
one of the children who had beer
Watching outside rushed into the house
eXclaiming: Here he Is; here he is''
'.Who Is it?' asked the others.
.'Uncle Bruno, of courser' answered
cheery voice. and there appeared il
the doorway an old, bearded sailor
holding in one hand a small bundle anC
on his other wrist Il green parrot, while
on his shoulder perched a monkey
| The Younger child in alright ran be
hind their grandmothers chair ant
the grown persons gaZed at the new
| conner in dIsmayed silence.
You need not be afraid of my men
! agerie," said the sailor. laughing
Come and kiss me, children, for
have travelled 5, 600 leagues to have tha
| pleasure.
Martin Mauvaire was the first to re-
| cover himself sufficiently to greet hi:
| and the eldest of the children followed
his example. but nothing could induce
the three little ones to stir.
MY faith | thought | never woult
be here said the uncle; lit is a long
walk from Dieppe."
His nephew glanced down and saw
that the travellers boots were covered
| with mud.
do you mean TO say you walked al
the way?n he cried.
Indeed l did. Do you think l could
sail across the fields?"
'But-your baggage?"
i have my baggage on me-"