Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-04-24
AN UNCLE,S SURPRISE.


An elderly man, shabbily attired was
seen walking through one of the fashona-
BILE streets of large city one cold Decem-
ber day. His coat was of coarse gray
and had evidently seen hard service. The
traveller walked slowly along examining
carefully, as he passed, the names on the
different doorplates. He finally paused be-
fore building of SNOWY exterior which, if
we may credit the testimony of the plate
upon the door, was occupied by Mr.. Alex
ander Beaumont
Alexander Beaumont Yes, that's the
name" murmured the traveller to himself
as he ascended the steps and rang the
doorbell
His summons was answered by foot
man, who, after a moments scrutiny, said
roughly, "Well, what do you want p
Is Mr.. Beaumont at home 3 asked the
old man, without needing the intentional
rudeness.
''No, he is not.
Then perhaps l can see his wife =
Il think it is very doubtful but | will
20 and see.'
The servant withdrew without asking
the old man to enter although the day was
very cold, and his clothing seemed to be
hardly sufficient to protect him from its in
clemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on a sofa
in a room handsomely furnished. The last
new magazine was in her hand, and her
eyes were listlessly glancing over its pages
She was interrupted in her reading BY the
entrance of the servant.
"Well, what now = she inquired.
There is a man down stairs who wants
to see you, ma'a
Man A gentleman you mean p
NO, ma am, said Charles stoutly "it
isn't gentleman at ALL for he has got on
an old gray coat, and he has not got any
gloves on
"You didn't show him into the parlor,
did you"
The man shook his head
"Iou did right, and you had better tell
him I'm not at home.
Mrs. Beaumont is not at home, " said
Charles, reappearing at the door.
81 suppose that means she is engaged - !
said the old man. 81 think she will see me
when she learns who l am. Tell her am
her husbands uncle and my name is Henry
Beaumont"
The man servant returned and delivered |
the message.
Good heavens :" said the mistress, "it |
amt that old fellow who strolled off years |
never would come back again And now |
suppose he is poor as a rat and wants help. |
Well, he won't get it if | can help it, but |
must see him"
She descended the stairs and received |
the old man at the door.
"Are you Mrs. Beaumont Z" he inquired |
Yes | am the wife of Mr. Beaumont,
and l suppose from your language you
are"-
"His uncle Henry All me have been
gone so many years, and it does my heart
good to return to my kindred"
The old mans features worked convu!-
sively as thoughts of the past came over
his mind. Mrs. Beaumont stood holding
the door, as if waiting for him to dep, rt
She did not give him any invitation to en-
ter.
ais your husband well y inquired the
visitor, looking as If he expected an invi-
tation to enter and refresh himself.
He is. If you have any message for
him you may leave it with me, and will
deliver it, said Mrs. Beaumont.
"You may tell him | have called, said
the visitor in a disappointed tone, "and
that l would have liked to have seen him."
81 will tell him, " said the lady, as she
was about to close the door.
Hold There is one question more
What has become of Alexander's sister
Anna -
Il don't know much about her, ," was the
rather disdainful reply but l think she
married clerk or some such person. His
name is Lowe, and he lives in Norton street.
Is that all I"
THAT is all"
The old man turned his steps toward the
street indicated, with many forebodings
lest his second visit might he as unwelcome
as the first
Charles, " said Mrs Beaumont, as she
closed the door eff that old man comes
again be sure and not forget to tell him
am not at home"
Norton street was not a fashionable
street, nor was the two-story dwelling oc-
cupied by William Lowe either handsome
or costly. 1t was marked, however, by an
air of neatness which indicated that its
tenants were not regardless of outward ap-
pearances.
the reader to a little sitting room, where
Mrs. Lowe aud her three children were
seated. The furniture, though of kind
that would hardly be selected for a draw
ing-room, had comfortable, homelike ap-
pearance, which amply satisfied the desire
of those who derived their happiness from
higher and less mutual force than outside
show. Mrs. Lowe was engaged in au enl-
ployment which is tabooed in all fashiona-
BILE society-that is, darning stockings.
Emma, a girl of ten, was brushing the
hearth, which the ashes from the CRATE, in
which blazing fire was now burning. had
somewhat disordered while Mary, two
years younger, was reading Charley, a lit
tie rogue of five, who had a smiling face
which could not help looking roguish, was {
Al ha af ha -. 4
the disturbance of poor tabby, who had
quietly settled herself down to pleasant 1
dreams ON the hearthrug s
All at once loud knock was heard at {
the door.
Emma, said the mother, "you may 90 I
TO the door and see who it is, and invite the
person in, for it is a cold day.
Emma Immediately obeyed the mothers
directions. c
''Is Mrs. Lowe at home /" inquired Hen 1
ry Beaumont, for it was he.
"Yes, sir, said Emma please walk in {
and you may see her" {
She ushered the old man into the com t
Portable sitting where Mrs. Lowe rose G
10 receive him, I
81 believe" he said, ''Im not mistaken t
in thinking that your name before mar
riage was Anna Beaumont ~
You are right, sir, that was my name" /
And have you no recollection of an un-
lle that wandered away from home aud e
friends, and from whom no tidings have I
come for many a long year y t
Yes, sir, | remember him well-my un-
,le Henry-and have many times wished
could hear something from him Can n
you give me any information I" p
81 cantor am he.
You my uncle n said Mrs. Lowe in c
surprise then indeed you are welcome.
Emma, bring your uncle the armchair, and b
place it close TO the fire and Mary, bring Y
your fathers slippers, for | am sure your a
lear uncle must long TO get of those heavy il