The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-04-15
Selected Storp.
An Uncle's Surprise.

was seen walking through one of the
fashionable streets of a large city one
cold December day. His coat was of a
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 before a
building of snowy exterior, which, if
we may credit the testimony of the
plate upon the door, was occupied by
Mr.. Alexander Beaumont.
" Alexander Beaumont Yes, that's
the name," murmured the traveller to
himsel as he assembled the steps and
rang the doorbell.
His summons was answered by a
footman, who, after a moments scru-
tiny, said roughly, Well, what do you
want?'
" Is Mr.. Beaumont at home?n asked
the old man, without needing the in
territorial rudeness.
"No; he is not"
"Then perhaps l can see his wife?"
" think it is very doubtful; but l
will go and see."
The servant withdrew without ask
ing the old man to enter, although the
day was very cold, and his clothing
seemed to be hardly sufficient to pro-
tect him from its inclemency. 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 man downstairs who
wants to see you, ma'am."
Man? A gentleman, you mean?"
"No, ma'am," said Charles, stoutlv;
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 par
lor, did your"
The man shook his head.
=" You did right, and you had better
tell him Pm 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. 81 think
she will see me when she learns who |
am. Tell her am her husbands un-
Gle and my name is Henry Beaumont"
The man servant returned and de-
livered the message.
Good heavens said the mistress.
it amt that old fellow who strolled off
years ago, nobody knows where. did
hope he never would come back again.
And now | suppose he is as poor as a
rat and wants help. Well, he won't
get it if l can help it, but 1 suppose
l must see him."
She descended the stairs and received
the old man at the door.
" Are you Mrs. Beaumont?" he in
quired?
Yes. l am the wife of Mr.. Beau
mont, and [ suppose from your Ian
guage you are -
His Uncle Henry? All mel have
been gone so many years, and it does
my heart good to return to nv kindred"
The old mans features worked con-
vulsively 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
SIS your husband well?" inquired
the visitor, looking as if he expected an
invitation to enter and refresh himself.
"He is. If you have any message
for him you may leave it with me, and
l will deliver it," said Mrs. Beaumont.
You may tell him l have called"
said the visitor in disappointed tone,
"and that | 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
Annap'
81 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 alp"
"That is ALL"
The old man turned his steps toward
the street indicated, with many fore
holdings lest his second visit might be
as unwelcOme as the first.
Charles" said Mrs. Beaumont. as
she closed the door, elf that old man
comes again be sure and not forget to
tell him / am not at home"
Norton street was not fashionable
street, nor was the two-story dwelling
occupied by William Lowe either
handsome or costly. 1t was marked,
however, by an air of neatness which
indicated that its tenants were not re-
CARELESS of appearance. We will take
the liberty of introducing the reader to
little sitting-room, where Mrs. Lowe
aud her three children were seated.
The furniture, though of kind that
would hardly be selected for drawing
room, had a comfortable, homelike APP.
pearance, which amply satisfied the de-
sire of those who derived their happi-
ness from a higher and less mutual
force than outside show. Mrs. Lowe
was engaged in an employment which
is tabooed in all fashionable 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, little rogue of five, who had a
smiling face which could not help look
ing roguish, was stroking the cat the
wrong WaV much IN the disturbance Of