The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-03-05

T0)R n1teen years 1T had been their
II hope and comfort in time OF
trouble. this return of CASTOR,
L "our uncle from America
M. and Madame Merlet. and
their family of four children. lived
life of the strictest economy, in which
the slightest "outside' expense was a
difficult problem to solve.
AS browning touch to their misfor-
tunes, Nine. Merlet's youngest sister,
widow. died. leaving a little girl,
Pauline, alone in the world so that her
uncle and aunt had been forced to take
her in and let her grow up with their
own children.
They were not unkind people. they
were incapable of doing anything bad,
tic about doing anything kind. Cir
cumstances had imposed upon them
the necessity of adopting their niece,
and they often groaned at this increase
of their cares. But they had one hope,
that shone like star in the dark dis
comfort of their lives. and this was
the hope Of Gaston's return, NJ Mer-
let's eldest brother who had departed
fifteen years before for America.
OF an adventurous, though rather un-
disciplined turn of mind. CASTOR had
gone to seek his fortune on the other
side of the water and, not being in the
habit Of writing many letters. his fam
him. The last letter they had received
was five years old now, and in it he
merely said that he was we'll and hoped
to be rich some day.
He had never married and they were
grateful for this "discretion" on his
part. What had been but a chimera
at first grew into strong, full-fledged
expectation, and every day some one of
the family would exclaim:
"Just wait until our uncle from
America comes home"
Once little Pauline repeated the
words that had grown familiar from
constant use. but M. Merlet reproved
her sharply.
What difference will it make to you,
stupid one! You have nothing to do
with our uncle from America"
The child was silent, already family
understanding the. difference of social
positions.
Not long after that a letter, post
marked Havre, made M. Merlet's heart
beat fast.
Castor is coming back! Castor is
here! He will be at home tonight" he
cried to his stupefied family.
The children clapped their hands de-
lightedly and the baby began to cry
loudly. Nine. Merlet grew pale. then
crimson. and finally sank into a chair.
Her husband held the letter aloft and
rear it solemnly aloud while the children
listened, ODen-mOuted.
my dear brother. (Gaston wrote) I
have returned to France. for am very
sick. America has used me up and
did not wish to leave my bones SO far
from home. I shall arrive in Paris
tonight, and be with you in time for
dinner. I hope you have bed you
can let me have"
What shall we do?" cried Nine.
Merlet. "He will have to sleep in the
parlor,"
The parlor, to speak frankly, did not
deserve it's high sounding title: je1lies
and extra bits of work often found their
way into it, but still, it was the finest
room in the house and "our uncle"
could be quite comfortable there.
IFS he so sick as that?" Nine. Mer-
let continued, and she tried to look and
speak sorrowfully, but in the bottom of
thought that CASTOR doubtless was not
long for this world =:
AT last came 6 o'clock\ and t.our
uncle with it, Everything was fitted
to look It's finest, and the dinnerzWas q
veritable triumph nc
The children danced about, excited
at the sight of the buildings and the
roast meat, and they were so exceed
ingly hilarious. that . Nine. Herlet
threatened to deprive them Of dessert
| if they didn't behave better.
Poor CASTOR! What a misera BILE,
sick looking man, to be the cause of so
much excitement. Yellow and thin and
decrepit, he was, indeed. wreck.
Never mind, old mani" cried M:
Merlet, jovially, cant expect to get
a fortune for nothing, can you'll"
And quite forgetting how he COM
planned and grumbled every day of his
life, he put on the airs of a happy man
in the midst of numerous family, be-
fore his brother.
They sat down to dinner, but the
young Merlets were the only ones to
eat seriously. CASTOR refused every
thing, merely asking for some milk.
A vague uneasiness took possession
of NJ and Madame Merlet. "Our unc-
le' did not talk of his great fortune;
he was poorly dressed, but doubtless
they were merely his travelling clothes.
Still-Madame Merlet could not contain
herself any longer.
"Gaston," she demanded, "Where is
your baggage? Oughtn't you to send
! for it?"
Castor smiled bitterly in reply.
my baggage? I have brought all
T had"
It was an old homely valise.
| Nevertheless Madame Merlet felt re-
assured. Probably he had not wished
TO De DOtQereO, lie WOulQ Uuy every
thing he wanted at home.
| The conversation Jagged; "our uncle"
| seemed to have nothing to say, and he
suffered horribly from indigestion. The
children, their enthusiasm quickly van
ished, paid no further attention to him
and went to sleep one after another in
| the inverse order of their ages.
| II am afraid I shall upset you all
! horribly" said CASTOR, when they were
| all asleep.
| But his brother protested: "Why, you
are part of the fanily"
but there are already a good many
! of you and living is dear. / shall only
! be an added burden!--'
| The husband and wife looked at each
other in alright while the words died
| away upon their lips.
"a burden?" repeated NJ Merlet.
'But-what about your fortune?"
II have nothing. my poor brother,
| nothing at all. I have lost everything:
| there was just enough to pay my way
home"
| Madame Merlet felt as though she
had fallen over 4 yaWning DreciDice