News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-02-19
AN UNCLES SURPRISE.

An elderly man, shabbily attired,
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 dwelling of snowy exterior, which, il
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
himself, as he assembled the steps and
rang the doorbell.
His summons was answered by q
footman, who, after a moments scruti
ny, said roughly, ''Well, what do you
wantY
rs Mr.. Beaumont at home" asked
the old man, without needing the in
territorial rudeness.
No; he is not.
''Then perhaps can see his wife~
Il think it 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 g
sofa in room handsomely furnished
The last new magazine was in her hand
and her eyes were listlessly glancing
over it's pages She was interrupted il
her reading by the entrance of the serv
ant.
"Well, what now" she inquired.
There is a man down stairs who
wants TO see you, ma sgiirT'
Man! A gentleman, you mean|
No, maam, " said Charles stoutly
1t isn't gentleman at all, for he ha!
got on an old gray coat, and he has mo-
got any gloves on"
You didn't show him into the par
lor did you9"
The man shook his head.
You did right, and you had bette
tell him I'm not at home.
Mrs. Beaumont is not at home,
said Charles, reappearing at the door.
Il suppose that means she is en-
gagged, said the old man. Il thinl
she will see me when she learns who
am. Tell her l am her husbands uncl
and my name is Henrz Beaumont.
The man servant returned and de
livered the message.
Good heavens!' said the mistress
''it amt that old fellow who strolle'
off years ago, nobody knows where.
did hope he never would come bacl
again. And now l suppose he is a
poor as rat and wants help. We'll
he won't get it if l can help it, but
suppose l must see him."
She descended the stairs and re
ceived the old man at the door.
Are you Mrs. Beaumont" he il
quired.
Yes l am the wife of Mr.. Beat
mont, and 1 suppose from your la1
guage you are"-
His uncle Henry All me! l hav
been gone SO many years, and it doc
me good to return to my kindred"
The old mans features worked col
vulsively as thoughts of the past can
over his mind. Mrs. Beaumont stoo
holding the door, as if waiting for hi
to depart She did not give him an
invitation to enter.
SIS your husband well3" inquired tt
visitor, looking in as if he expected q
invitation to enter and refresh himsel
''He is. If you have any messat
for him you may leave it with me, ar
l will deliver it" said Mrs. Beaumon
7 'You may tell him have called
said the visitor in a disappointed ton
''and that l would have liked to ha'
?, seen him"
{ - will tell him." said the lady,
she was about to close the door,
% Hold There is one question moi
n What has become of Alexander's sist
Anna"
Il don't know much about her." W
the rather disdainful reply; "but
think she married clerk or some su
person. His name is Lowe, and
u lives in Norton street. Is that allP'
N THAT is ALL
II The old man turned his steps iowa
q the street indicated with many fo
q bodings lest his second visit might
u as unwelcome as the first.
Il "Charles," said Mrs. Beaumont
" she closed the door, eff that old nj
comes again be sure and not forget
tell him am not at home"
Norton street was not fashional
A street nor was the two story dwelli
l. occupied by William Lowe either har
some or costly. 1t was marked, he
y ever, by an air of neatness which
dicated that its tenants were not
gardless of outward appearance.
We will take the liberty of introd
ing the reader to a little sitting roc
'n where Mrs. Lowe and her three cl
dren were seated. The furnitu
od though of a kind that would hardly
en- selected for a drawing room, hac
NV comfortable, homelike appearan
"a =. which amply satisfied the desire of tn
iS is who derived their happiness fron
res higher and less mutable force than {
nd side show. Mrs. Lowe was engaged
an employment which is tabooed in
we we fashionable society-that is, darn
stockings.
Emma, a girl of 10, was brushing
hearth, which the ashes from the gr
in which blazing fire was now b'