Middletown transcript., 1891-02-12
An UNCLE'S SURPRISE.

was seen Walking Lnrougu ono "a sno
fashionable streets Of 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
be 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 occu-
pied by Mr.. Alexander Beaumont.
Alexander Beaumont! Y q 8,
that's the name" murmured the
traveller to himself, as he assembled
the steps and rang the doorbell.
His summons was answered by q
footman. who, after a moments scru-
tiny, said roughly. Well, what dc
you want :"
aIs Mr.. Beaumont at home ?" ask
ed the old man, without needing the
intentional rudeness.
aNo he is not"
Then, perhaps. l can see hii
wife ?"
"I think it very doubtful; but
will go and see."
The servant withdrew without ask
ing the old man to enter, although
the day was very cold, and his CLOTH
ing seemed to be hardly sufficient to
protect him from its inclemency.
Mrs. Beaumont was reclining on a
sofa in a room handsomely furnished.
The last new magazine was in hel
hand, and her eyes were listlessly
glancing over its pages. She was in
terrupted in her reading by the en-
trance of the servant.
Well, what now ?" she inquired.
"There is man down stairs who
wants to see you, ma am"
"Man! A gentleman, you mean 2
"No, ma'am," said Charles stoutly.
sit 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 y
The man shook his head.
You did right, and you had bet
ter tell him I'm not at home"
Mrs. Beaumont is not at home,
said Charles, reappearing at the door
ST suppose that means she is en-
gagged" said the old man. / thinl
she will see me when she learns who
| I am. Tell her | am her husband
uncle and my name is Henry Beau
mont.
The man servant returned and de
livered the message.
"Good heavens ?" said the mistress
sit amt that old fellow who strollet
| off years ago, nobody knows where
| I did hope he never would come back
again. And now / suppose he is a
poor as q rat and wants help. We'll
be won't get it if can help it, but
suppose I must see him"
She descended the stairs and re
ceived the old man at the door.
Are you Mrs. Beaumont 7" b
inquired.
& Yes. am the wife of Mr.. Beau
mont, and I suppose from your Ian
guage you are"
His uncle Henry! All, me /!
have been gone SO many years, and
does me good to return to my kin
| dred."
The old mans features worked con
vulsively as thoughts Of the past cam
over his mind. Mrs. Beaumont stoo'
holding the door, as if waiting 70
| him to depart. She did not give.hir
any invitation to enter.
"Is your husband well? ?" inquire
the visitor, looking in as if he expect
ed an invitation to enter and refresl
himself.
aHe is. IF you have any messag
for him you may leave it with mt
and I will deliver it," said Mr.
Beaumont.
You may tell him I have called.
said the visitor in a disappointed ton
. and that would have liked to hav
seen him."
| 81 will tell him." said the lady, {
she was about to close the door.
| aHold! There is one questio
more. What has become of Alex
ander's sister, Anna3'
"I don't know much about her,
was the rather disdainful reply :" br
| I think she married clerk or som
such person. His name is Lowe, an
he lives on Norton street. Is th'
all?"
THAT is all"
The old man turned his steps
the street indicated with many for
bodipgs lest his second visit might !
as unwelcome as the first.
aCharles," said Mrs. Beaumont, I
she closed the door, if that old ma
comes again be sure and not forget
Il