Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-11-21
THE UNCLE FROM AMERICA.

THE UNCLE FROM AMERICA
The widow Mauvaire had suffere
many reverses of fortune. Her eide:
son, who had been her sole supper
had persisted by shipwreck and left h
four motherless children to her care
This misfortune had indefinitely pos
poned if not entirely prevented tn
marriage OF her daughter, besides cut
ting short the studies OF her secont
son, who was obliged to come home a
once and seek for work. But in the
midst of the anXieties of the pool
family an unexpected ray Of hope
appeared.
A letter was received from Bruno
Mauvaire, the widows brother-in-law,
who had lett home as a sailor twenty
years before He wrote from Dieppe.
which was but u few miles away, and
said that he had just come from Anne r.
lea with ali his worldly goods, and in.
tended Immediately to visit Ormond-
vile, his native place. At that time
it was not very unusual to see at
Dieppe merchants, whose ships crowd
ed 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 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 de-
lightful cOnjectures 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
prosperity. 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 homework, 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 rich marriage dowry."
That would be no use now" said
the young girl, shaking her head hope
lessly.
No usem repeated Julienne. as it
not for the want of u dowry that Mr.
Mark parents have refused their con-
sent to his marriage and sent him of
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 Clemence in II low tone, anG
turned away.
But her brother, thinking less of the
man than of the marriage, said cOnsOl
ingly: If he does not another will
You may be sure, sister, that pretty
girl with an uncle from America neet
never want for husband. Very like
ly he will bring young friend will
him, some millionaire that he ha
chosen for a nephew"
II hope he will do nothing of tn
kindn' cried CIcmence in dismay. =.
am in no hurry to get married"
"What is most urgent is to find
good position for you. Martin" sal
the widow in an anxious tone TO he
son.
The count has almost promised m
the oversecr's place." said the youn
man.
His mother answered: but h
seems to be in no hurry. That is n
ways the way with the rich. The
think only OF thoir own pleasures, an
when at last they happen to remembc
the bit Of bread promised to fellow
creature the poor man has starved I
dc tn"
Uncle Bruno will not forget us,
said Martin, The letter says, i sha
be in Ormondville to-morrow with a
my worldly goods He will soon |
here"
"Clemence, is everything ready!
asked the mother, busting about.
For answer her daughter opened tn
pantry and showed the well-fille
shelves. Near to "a roast leg Of Ian
was a huge ham, nanked by two dish,
of wheat-cakes and bowl of swe,
rream, while several jugs of cider an
butter-tart completed a bill of fan
which made the children exclaim wit
delight. The widow had taken fro
her linen-chest her best table-clotl
which had grown yellow through war
of use, and ,Julienne now fastened [
set the table, putting in the place {
honor the only silver spoon. Jul
then one of the children who had bee
watching outside rushed into tn
house, exclaiming: Here he is; her
he Isl"
''Who is it?" asked the others.
Uncle Bruno, of course!" answere
Il CHEEKY voice, and there appeared
the doorway an old, bearded sailor
holding in one hand a small bundl
and on his other wrist green parro
while on his shoulder perched
monkey. The younger children
alright ran behind their grandmother
chair and the grown persons G zed a
the newcomer in dismayed silence.
You need not be afraid of m
menagerie," said the sailor, laughing
''Come and kiss me, children, for
have travelled 5000 leagues to hav
that pleasure.
Martin Mauvaire was the first to r.
cover himself sufficiently to greet h
relation, then Clemence, her mothe
and the eldest OF the children folio,
ed his example, but nothing could i
duce the three little ones to stir.
My faith! | thought / never wou
be here" said the uncle; lit is lor
walk from Dieppe."
His nephew glanced down and sa
that the travellers boots were cover,
with mud.
do you mean to say that you wal
ed all the wayp" he cried.
Indeed i did. Do you think l cou
sail across the fields?n
'.But-your baggage?"
81 have my baggage on me-"
~ beg your pardon, uncle; but '
thought from your letter that y
would"
THAT / would come in a three-dee
er, my boy?"
NO" replied Martin, forcing
laugh, "but with your trunks for
long stayP"
''Me? Trunksp"
Eyes; you said you would bring
your goods
''And / have brought them
parrot and my monkey"
as that alp"
"All excepting my bundle, and the
is nothing in this but some he'll,
socks and old shirts. But what does