Year: 1873

-
when suddenly there came a blow which
scattered my prosperity to the winds.
and forced me to employ my wits in the
general struggle of gaming living
The blow came in the shape of the fail
ure of large firm in which all my cap
ital was invested.


After securing a clerkship in the house
of creditor of our late firm, my first
care was to look up less expensive
boarding house than the fashionable one
in which was living. | inserted an
advertisement in several widely circu-
lated papers, asking for reasonable board
in strictly private family, and of course
received a multitude of answers by next
post Out of this molly installment of
epistles, there was but one which pleas
ed me, and I decided to answer that one
in person Immediately.


Grace Kingsley was the name of the
favored landlady writing to me, and the
letter stated that her house was entirely
private, she having no boarders whatev-
er. l was much pleased with the fair,
delicate writing, and an idea took
possession of me that Grace was young
and fascinating widow. l was not dis.
appointed when reached the house, and
my ringing at the door-ben was answer
ed by the lady herself She invited me
into the parlor in manner so courteous,
and yet SO modest, that l had fallen des-
perately in love with her almost before
| could cross the threshold.


l enjoyed very pleasant chat with
Mrs. Kingsley. During the conversation
she informed me that her late husband
had been in fair way of business, and
at his death, which occurred about a
year previous, had left her in pretty
comfortable circumstances. They had
but one child /; and this item of mortal
ity I was most graciously permitted to
look upon, as it lay peacefully slumber-
ing in its cradle. [ also learned that
the lady was living in the house quite
alone and desired male boarder more
as means of protection than as source
of revenue. In conclusion, the landlady
looked so pretty (she was quite young,
not over two or three and twenty and
the price of board so moderate, her COM


panionship so inviting, and she seemed


to trust me and looked upon me SO fa-


vorably, that must have been heather


and dead to all charms and inducements


Of the sex, if had not engaged board


on the spot.


The next day had my trunk remov-


ed to my new boarding house, and per-


manently established myself there. Be-


fore leaving my former boarding house


letter was handed me by the postman,
, but l did not find time to examine it un-


til was comfortably ensconsed in the


parlor of Mrs. Kingsley's cosy house.
' Opening the letter, l discovered it to
' be from a wealthy uncle Of mine, resid-


ing in Vermont, who regularly sent me


a letter every year, but whom l had nev-


er seen. His epistles were always short
and to the point, generally consisting Of


an account of the weather in his locality
> and some good advice to me to take care
of my money, as | might be burdened


with some of it before | was much older


[ was always very glad to get this ad
vice from him, as I regarded it as an in.
= timation that | was to inherit his wealth


on his decease.


J One day. however, about year pre-


vious, received letter from him which


contained another topic besides those
= have mentioned. My uncle made som,
pressing inquiries respecting my matri
! monial prospects, and said that if


were not already married, should i'm


mediately enter into the welded state


and let him know it, or he would neve


more be an uncle of mine.


Now, as my uncle lived in Vernon
ID and | in Philadelphia, and 1 never an
ticipated the old gentleman would pa,
o. me visit and discover the falsehood,
r. wrote to him and informed him that
t. was not only married, but also the ia
: ther Of a bouncing baby. This SO pleas
N ed my uncle that he sent gold goble
ID and silver pap-spoon, to be presente
SO to my child. I at first sat down an
le wrote a very romantic letter to my ur
of Gle thanking him for the presents, an
lie then visiting the nearest jewelry stor
s. and turned both goblet and the spoo
L. into cash, which | pocketed. | receiy
rt ed no further letters from my uncle ur
n til the one which I read in Mrs. King
lie sley's parlor The postscript to this on
ts not only astonished, but absolutel
frightened me. It read as follows :
NC "P. 81 have never visited Philade
s. phia, SO [ have decided to do so at one
re and get a look at you and your wife an
-es child. You may expect me about I'll
4 10th inst


NV .'Good gracious my uncle is comm
nd to visit me, exclaimed and it
~ passed the 10th of the month now.
of don't know at what moment he may pc
bo in. What am | to do. for wife an
on child %