Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-03

Didier n.sd not have worked % hard, sighed
the widow
JuIienns. her gosidaughssr, who helped with
the housswork, replied quickly, But there ars
bis children 10 he provided for. and besides
the rich uncle will no doubt sse TO il that
Miss Clemence has rich marriage dowry."
That would be no use now, said the young
yiri, shaking her head hopelessly.
mo use!" repeated Julienne. is it not for
the want Of a dowry that Mr.. Marks parents
have refused their consent TO his marriage
and sent him OF TO seal Your uncle has but
to say the word and the young man will soon
.ome 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
han Of the marriage, added consolingly. IF
10 does not another will. You may be sure,
lister, that pretty girl with an uncle from
America need never want for husband
Very likely he will bring young friend with
lim some millionaire that he has chosen for
nephsw"
II hope he will do nothing of the kind, +"
ried Clemence in dsmay II am in no
hurry To get married"
What is most urgent Is to find good posi-
ton for you, Martin" said the widow in an
anxious tone TO her son.
THE count has almost promised the
overseer's place, said the young man
His mother answered: But he seems to he
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 fellow
creatur. the poor man has starved to death. "
Uncle Bruno will not forget u.s." said
Martin The letter says, i shall be in Or
mondyille tomorrow with all my worldly
goods He will soon be here"
'Clemence, is everything readyr asked the
mother, bustling about.
For answer her daughter opened the pantry
and showed the well tilled shelves. Near To
a roast leg Of lamb was a huge ham, fanked
by two dishes Of wheat cakes and bowl Of
sweet cream. while several jugs OF cider and
a butter tart completed a bill of fare which
made the children exclaim 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 70 set the table, putting in the place of
honor the only silver spoon. Just then
Of the children who had been watching out
ode rushed into the house exclaiming Here
he is. here he isr'
Who is itf' asked the others.
"Uncle Bruno, Of coursei" answered a
CHEEKY voice. and there appeared i'll the door
way an old. bearded sailor, holding in one
hand a small bundle and on his other wrist q
green parrot. while on his shoulder perched
a monkey The younger children in alright
ran behind their grandmother's chair and
the grown persons gaxed at the newcomer in
disinaye,l silence.
You need not be afraid Of my menagerie,"
said the sailor, laughing. Come and kiss
me, children, for have travelled three thou
sand leagues to have that pleasure"
Martin Mauvaire was the first to recover
himself sufficiently to greet his relation; then
Cleu,ence, her mother and the eldest of the
children followed his example, but nothing
could induce the three little ones TO stir.
my faith | thought l would never he
here said the uncle: "it 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 that you walked all
the wayf' he cried.
Indeed, did Do you think I could sail
across the fieidsr
"But-your baggagef'
II have my baggage on me.
81 beg your pardon, uncle, but we thought
from your letter that you would
THAT would come in q three decker, my
boyf"
mo, replied Martin. forcing laugh, but
with your trunks for long stay"
Me, Trunksf
ayes, you said you would bring all your
goods"
And have brought them-my parrot and
my monkey"
as that all =
"AIl excepting my bundle, aud there 10
nothing in this but some heelless socks and
old shirts But what does it matter, as long
as ones conscience and digestion are goodl
Excus. me, sister-in law. but | cider in
your pantry, and am thirsty after my walk.
Come. Rochambeau. say how do 10 your re-
lations"
He made sign to the monkey. who eaped
from his shoulder and turnel three soiner-
saults across the room, then sat up, grinning
and scratching his head, His master then
seated himself at the table and with a glance
at the half open pantry, declared that he was
nearly famshei There WIS nothing to be
done but to 1T before him the has' and the
cider which he had seen. but Mae. Mauvaire
shut the pantry door TN the rest Of the dain
ties. While he was eating and drinking, the
traveller gave his relations an account of his
life at sea, and ended by declaring that he
had saved nothing, his pay always being
spent as soon earned
In less than an hour the Mauvaire family
were a~are that the uncle from whom they
had expe,ted 80 much, possessed no other
wealth than cheerful disposition and an ex
cellent appetite, and their disappointment
was 30 keen that 1t soon became apparent to
him Martin grew thoughtful and silent,
Clemence sadly left the room, and their
mother, on seeing that the youngest grand
child was In terror Of the monkey. insisted on
banshing it to the garden. At last the uncle
found himself alone with his nephew: and
having drained his glass. be threw himself
back in his chair, whistled softly for minute
and then, fixing his eyes on the young man.
said slowly:
1T seems to me, my boy, that the wind ID
blowing from the northeast in this housa
You are like icicles TO your fathers brother
But never mind, you will all be sorry for it,"
He took up knife and began cutting 9
fresh slice Of ham, and his bearer, struck by
his confident air wondered whether q trick
were being played. He wants TO try u.s.
thought Martin. "he never would be 50 jolly
and coutented II he bad not q cent in the
world We have been idiotsr
Muttering some evasve reply to his uncle's
last words, he slipped ont of the room and
FASTENED to tell his mother and sister what mis-
suspicious were In few minutes the three
returned 10 the sitting room with smiling
faces and profuse Apologies for their absence.
the women saying That household matter>
had detained them
You have had le1A1Dg 70 eat, brother.
said the widow. openng the pantry and
bringing out the beg Of lamb. why has not
Julieune attended to her dutyt Clemence.
where is the tart you made for your unciet-
In another minute they were all pArtaking
Of . generous meal and talking msrrily.
Ths viitor looked aaimiringiy at his pretty
niece and sid; "You are the image Of your
father. my poor George, Though l have
never seen you before, my dsar. have
heard . great deal about YOU
Prom whomr she asked in surprise, and
81 that moment . voice behind her sxclAim-
ing '.Clemencer' made her Start up and look
round hsr. Il was only tie parrsk who was
prching On The hack Of hsr chair
a-C10nce MAuvaire,s h hid solsmnly.
WHO taught Il her namsr asksd ths
DneA9.