News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-05-21
An UIGlG'S Surprise.

was seen walking through one of the
fashionable streets of a large city one
cold December day. His coat was OF
a course gray and had evidently seen
hard service. The traveller walked
slowly along examining carefully, as
he passed, the names on the different
door-plates. He finally paused be-
fore a building of snowy exterior,
which If we may credit the testimony
of the plate upon the door, was occu-
pied by Mr.. Alexander Beaumont.
Alexander Beaumont! Yes, that's
the name," murmured the traveller to
himself as he ascended the steps and
rang the bell.
His summons was answered by q
footman, who, after a moments scru-
tiny, said roughly: "Well, what do
yOuwant?"
is Mr.. Bumont at home?" asked
the old man, without needing the in
territorial rudeness.
"No; he is not"
"Then perhaps l can see his WIFE"
Il think it is very doubtful; but |
will go and see''
The servant withdrew without ask
ing him to enter, although the day
was very cold, and his clothing SEEM
ed to be hardly sufficient to protect
him from it's inclemency. Mrs. Beau
mont was reclining on a sofa in
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
of him.
"There is a man downstairs who
wants to see you, ma am"
g Man? A gentleman, you mean?"
" No ma'am," +" said Charles stoutly;
cit isn't a gentleman at all, for he
has got on an old gray coat, and he
has not any gloves on"
"You didn't show him into the par
Ior, did you?"
sfrot,4-lri head.
- You did7rii ssrt'-stffd 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 en-
gagged" said the old man. think
she will see me when she learns who
| am. Tell her | am her husbands
uncle and my name is Henry Beau
mont"
The man returned and delivered, the
message.
Good heavens! said the mistress,
sit amt that old fellow who strolled
off years ago, nobody knows where.
| did hope he never would come back
again. And now l suppose he is as
poor as a rat and wants help. Well,
he won't get it if l can help it. but |
suppose l must see him."
She descended the stairs and re-
ceived him at The door.
care you Mrs. Beaumont" he in
quired.
"Yes, | am the wife Mr. Beaumont,
and l suppose from your language
you are"
"His Uncle Henry. All mel l have
been gone so many years and it did
me good tJ return to my kindred"
The old mans features worked con-
vulsiveIy as thoughts of the past
came over his mind. Mrs. Beaumont
stood holding the door, as if waiting
for him to depart. She did not give
him any invitation to enter.
"Is your husband well?" inquired
the visitor, looking as if he expected
an invitation to enter and refresh
himself
He is. Ifyou have any message
for him you may leave it with me,
and l will deliver it, said Mrs. Beau
mont.
"You may tell him that 1 have
called" said the visitor, in a dissap-
pointed tone, land that | would have
liked to have seen him."
81 will tell him." said the lady, as
she was about to close her door.
"Holdl There is one question more.
What has become of Alexander's sis
ter Anna?"
81 don't know much about her, :"
was the rather disdainful reply, "but
4-tAialS- married a clerk or some
such person. His name is Lowe, and
he lives in Norton straat: is that
ALP"