Chapter XV

by Mary Jane Holmes

　　MR. MIDDLETON'S BROTHER

　　Julia's first exclamation, on waking the next morning, was, "I am glad Iam not expected to go home with uncle today, and see father make aprecious fool of himself, as he surely will."

　　"How can you say so, Julia?" answered Fanny. "I wish I was going, for Ithink I could smooth father down a little if he got to using too stronglanguage."

　　"Nonsense, Fan," said Julia. "Why don't you confess that you wish to gobecause that handsome Cameron is going? Didn't I see how much he looked atyou, and how you blushed, too? But no matter. I would get him, if I wereyou!"

　　Julia was getting very generous, now that she thought herself sure of Dr.Lacey. Further remark from her, however, was prevented by the ringing ofthe breakfast bell.

　　"What shall I tell your parents?" said Mr. Middleton to his nieces, as hestood in the hall, waiting for the driver to open the carriage door andlet down the steps.

　　Julia made no reply, but Fanny said, "Give them my love, and tell them Iam getting better every day, and shall want to come home soon," and thenshe added, in a lower tone, "You will not laugh at father much, will you,or make fun of him either, if he acts oddly?"

　　"God bless you, sweet girl," said Mr. Middleton, stooping to kiss theinnocent face which looked up into his with so much earnestness. "For yoursake, if for no other, your father shall not be laughed at."

　　As the carriage drove off, Julia turned to Fanny and said, "Won't theyhave fun, though, with the old man? I can fancy it all. Father's beardwill probably be long enough to do up in papers, and it will be a miracleif he does not have on those horrid old bagging pants of his."

　　Fanny was only too fearful it would all be as Julia predicted, but shemade no answer, and soon returned to her room.

　　We will now follow the carriage, which, with its load of gentlemen, wasproceeding rapidly toward the house of our friend Uncle Joshua. Mr.William Middleton, or Mr. Stafford, as we will call him for a time, seemedto grow excited as he approached nearer to a brother whose face he had notlooked upon for more than twenty long years.

　　"I say, boys," said he, speaking to his companions, "you must help me, andwhen I begin to ask Joshua concerning his parents and brothers, you, too,must talk, or he will suspect I have some design in questioning him."

　　The gentlemen all promised to do their best, except Frank, who couldpromise nothing, because he knew nothing concerning the man they weregoing to visit. His curiosity, however, was aroused, and forgetting thepresence of Mr. William Middleton, "Do they keep the old fellow caged? Andmust we pay anything for seeing him?"

　　These questions were greeted by a burst of laughter, and Raymond said,"No--admittance is free, but you'll be more amused to see him and hear himtalk than you would in visiting Barnum's Museum!"

　　By this time the carriage had entered the woods, and they came in sight ofthe house. Mr. Stafford leaned from the window, and said, "Is it possiblethat my brother, with all his wealth, lives in such a heathen place asthis?"

　　"When you see him," said Raymond, "you'll think the nest just suited thebird."

　　They were now in the yard, which was so filled with farming utensils thatthe driver found it difficult to effect a passage up to the door. Thegentlemen were about concluding to alight where they were, when Mr.Middleton was heard calling out, "Ho, thar, driver, don't run agin that arox-cart; turn a leetle to the right, can't ye? Now be keerful and not runafoul of the plaguey lye leech. I b'lieve the niggers would move the hut,Josh and all, into the yard, if they could only make a raise!"

　　Mr. Stafford and Frank looked eagerly out at the speaker, who fullyrealized Frank's idea of him. His beard was as long and black as a rapidgrowth of three weeks could make it. As Julia had feared, he was dressedin his favorite bagging pants, which hung loosely, even around his hugeproportions, and looked as if fitted to some of his outbuildings. He wasvery warm and he wore neither coat nor vest, while his feet, whosedimensions we have mentioned before, were minus either shoes or stockings.He appeared in the doorway buttoning one of his suspenders. The truth washe had spied the carriage in the distance, and as his linen was none thecleanest he hastened to change, and was now putting the finishing touch tohis toilet. When he caught sight of the occupants of the carriage hethought to himself, "Thar's a heap on 'em. Nancy'll have to rout the wholegang of niggers, field hands and all, to huntin' hin's nests after eggsenough for dinner."

　　By this time the gentlemen had alighted, and Mr. Middleton went forward toreceive them. "How d'ye do, how d'ye do?" said he; "I'm mighty glad you'vecome. I wish you'd brought the whole city."

　　"We came pretty near it, I think," said Mr. Miller, at the same timepresenting Mr. Stafford and Mr. Cameron.

　　Mr. Middleton continued talking, as if replying to Mr. Miller's firstremark. "No consequence, no consequence, Mr. Stafford, Mr. Cameron, howare you? The more the merrier. I s'pose they've told you all about Josh,so I needn't make b'lieve any--but come in--the house looks better insidethan it does out." "Ho, Luce," continued he, "where the old boy is yourmistress? Tell her thar's heaps of folks here, and mind tell Aunt Judy toget us up a whalin' dinner."

　　Here he stopped to take breath for a moment, and then proceeded. "You mustexcuse my rig, gentlemen, or rather, you must excuse what ain't rigged;mebby if I'd known all you city buggers was comin', I'd a kivered my barfeet."

　　"You go barefoot for comfort?" said Mr. Miller.

　　"Why, yes, mainly for that, I suppose," answered Mr. Middleton, "for I'vegot such fetchin' big corns on my feet that I ain't goin' to be crampedwith none of your toggery. My feet happen to be clean, for I washed themin the watering trough this mornin'. How d'ye leave my gals?"

　　"They are well," answered Mr. Miller, "or rather Julia is, and Fanny isimproving every day."

　　"I've often wondered," said Mr. Middleton, "what 'twas ailded Sunshinewhen she was sick. She didn't seem to have no disease in particular, and Ireckon nothin's on her mind, for all's straight between her and Dr. Lacey,as far as I know."

　　"Dr. Lacey!" repeated Frank, without knowing what he said.

　　"Yes, Dr. Lacey; know him?" asked Mr. Middleton.

　　"No, sir," answered Frank, and Ashton rejoined, "I imagine he wishes Fannyhad never known him."

　　Mr. Middleton turned, and for a moment regarded Frank intently. Frankstood the inspection manfully, and Mr. Middleton said, "You are from NewYork, hey? I like New Yorkers, and if Sunshine wasn't promised to Dr.Lacey and never had seen him, and I liked you, I'd as soon you'd have heras anybody."

　　Mr. Stafford now said that he was acquainted with Dr. Lacey, and proceededto speak of the pleasant time he had spent with him. This occupied thetime until dinner was ready.

　　"Come, haul up," said Mr. Middleton, "haul up; we didn't expect so many todinner, but the old table'll stretch and you must set clus; but don't noneof you step on my corns, for thunder's sake!"

　　Frank thought if his host kept on talking he should not be able to eat forlaughing, but the old man was but just getting into the merits of thecase!

　　When his guests were seated, he said to Mr. Stafford, "Your white neckcloth looks like you might belong to the clergy. If you do, you can say ashort prayer over the eggs and bacon, but Lord's sake be spry, for I'mblarsted hungry!"

　　But for the remembrance of his promise to Fanny, Mr. Stafford would havescreamed. It is needless to say that he declined his host's invitation,and the company began their dinner.

　　Suddenly Mr. Stafford asked if Mr. Middleton had any brothers.

　　"Yes--no, or, that is, I had one once," answered Mr. Middleton, "but he'sdeader than a door nail afore this, I reckon."

　　"And what makes you think he is dead?" asked Stafford.

　　"Why, you see," returned Mr. Middleton, "when our old pap died, somethingin the will stuck crossways in Bill's swaller, and he left college and putto sea, and I hain't heard from him in fifteen years."

　　"Did he look like you?" said Raymond.

　　"He was four years younger than I," answered Mr. Middleton, "but no morelike me than Sunshine's pet kitten is like our old watch dog, Tige. He wassoft like in his ways and took to book larnin mightily, and I'm--buteverybody knows what old Josh is. Hold on thar! Save the pieces!" said heto Frank, who, unable longer to restrain his mirth, had deluged his platewith coffee.

　　"Pray excuse me," said Frank, mortified beyond measure at his mishap.

　　His discomfiture was, however, somewhat relieved by his companions, all ofwhom burst into a fit of laughter, in which Mr. Stafford heartily joined,forgetful of his promise to Fanny. By this time dinner was over and thecompany repaired to the porch, where Ashton and Raymond betook themselvesto their cigars, while Mr. Middleton puffed away at his old cob pipe.

　　Mr. Stafford at length resumed the dinner table conversation by saying,"If I were you, Mr. Middleton, I would not give up my brother yet; 'Hopeon, hope ever,' is my motto."

　　"Hope on," repeated Mr. Middleton. "I have hoped on till I am tired on't,and by spells I have dreams in which it seems like my brother was aliveand had come back, and then my old gourd shell of a heart gives athunderin' thump, and fetches me up wide awake. I hate dreams mightily,for it takes me an all-fired while to get to sleep all over, and when I doI hate to be waked up by a dream."

　　"I hope you'll live to see your brother, though," said Frank.

　　"No, I shan't," answered Mr. Middleton, again filling his cob pipe."Everything that I loved has always died."

　　"Have you lost many friends?" asked Mr. Stafford.

　　"Considerable many," said Mr. Middleton, "considering how few I ever had.First, thar was mother died, when Bill and I was little boys; I rememberhow we cried when we stood by her grave, and I was so feared Bill wouldbust his jacket open that I whispered to him not to take on so, for I'd behis mother now. And then that night, which was the longest and darkest Iever knew, we took turn rocking and singing to our little baby sister,just as we had seen mother do."

　　Here he stopped a moment, and Raymond, who was rather impatient, said,"Don't stop; go on."

　　The old man wiped his eyes, and said, "Heavens and arth, don't hurry afeller so; can't you let him wait till the big bumps get out of histhroat, or would you have me bellerin' here like a calf?"

　　"Take your time, Mr. Middleton," said Mr. Stafford, who was as muchaffected as his brother at the remembrance of that sad night, when hefirst felt what it was to be motherless.

　　After an instant, Mr. Middleton continued, "Directly that sister got bigenough, she was married and started to go to England, but the vessel wentto smash and the crew went to the bottom. Poor gal, she always hated salt,but she's used to it by this time, I reckon. Then there was pap died next,but he was old and gray-headed, and sick-hearted like, and he wanted togo, but it made it jest as bad for me. Then thar was Bill."

　　Here Mr. Stafford moved his chair so as to hide his face from the speaker,who continued, "I did think I might have one left, but 'twasn't to be. Hewent, too, and Josh was left alone."

　　Mr. Middleton cleared his throat a little, refilled his cob pipe, andproceeded. "The Lord gin me two gals, and then he sent me as noble a boyas ever was, I don't care where t'other comes from. He wasn't mine, but Iloved him all the same. You, Mr. Miller, knew him, but you don't know--no,nor begin to know, how old Josh loved him, and what a tremendous wrench itgin my old heart when I come home and found he was dead. But, Lord, hain'the got a fine gravestun, though! You go to the cimetery at Frankford, andyou'll see it right along side of Leftenant Carrington's, whose widow's aflirtin' with everybody in creation anyway, and Frankford sartin."

　　"I've now told you of all that's dead," continued he, striking the ashesout of his pipe and wiping it on his bagging trousers, "but I hain't toldyou yit what troubles me more than all. Thar's something haunts old Josh,and makes his heart stand still with mortal fear. Thar's Sunshine, dearerto her old pap than his own life. You've all seen her, and I reckon she'smade some of your hearts ache; but something's come over her. She seemsdelicate like, and is fadin' away."

　　Here two big tears, that couldn't be mistaken, rolled down Mr. Middleton'scheeks, as he added emphatically, "and by Jehu, if Sunshine goes, oldJosh'll bust up and go, too!"

　　The winding up of Uncle Joshua's story was so odd and unexpected that allthe gentlemen, Mr. Stafford included, laughed loudly.

　　"'Tain't no laughin' matter, boys," said Mr. Middleton, "and so you'll allthink if you ever have a gal as sweet and lovin' like as Sunshine."

　　Here Mr. Stafford said, "Your sister's name was Fanny, I believe."

　　"Yes, 'twas; who told you?" asked Mr. Middleton.

　　"No one. I knew it myself," answered Mr. Stafford, looking his brotherearnestly in the face.

　　Mr. Middleton seemed puzzled, and after closely scrutinizing Mr.Stafford's features, he said, "Confound it, am I in a nightmare? I thoughtfor a minute--but no, it can't be neither, for you've got too thunderin'black a hide to be Bill."

　　Before Mr. Stafford replies to this remark we will take the reader to thekitchen, where a group of negroes are assembled round old Aunt Katy, andare listening with breathless interest to what she is saying. Aunt Katywas so infirm that she kept her bed for the greater part of the time, buton this day she was sitting-up, and from her low cabin window she caught aview of the visitors as they alighted from the carriage. When Mr. Staffordappeared, she half started from her chair and said aloud, "Who upon airthcan that be, and whar have I seen him? Somewhar, sartin."

　　It then occurred to her that she would go to the kitchen and inquire who"that tall, darkish-looking gentleman was." Accordingly she hobbled out tomake the inquiry. She was much disappointed when she heard the name. "No,"said she, "'tain't nobody I ever knowed, and yet how like he is tosomebody I've seen."

　　Not long after the old negress again muttered to herself, "Go way now;what makes me keep a thinkin' so of Marster William this mornin'? 'Pearslike he keeps hauntin' me." Then rising she went to an old cupboard, andtook from it a cracked earthen teapot. From this teapot she drew a pieceof brown paper, and opening it gazed fondly on a little lock of soft brownhair.

　　"Bless the boy," said she, "I mind jest how he looked when I cut this harfrom his head, the very day his mother was buried. Poor Marster William,"continued she, "most likely he's gone to 'tarnity 'fore this time."

　　As she said this tears, which were none the less sincere because she whowept them belonged to Africa's sable race, fell upon the once bright butnow faded lock of hair, which the faithful creature had for more thanforty years preserved as a memento of him whom she had long since lookedupon as dead, although she had never ceased to pray for him, and alwaysended her accustomed prayer, "Now I lay me--" with the petition that "Godwould take keer of Marster William and bring him home again." Who shallsay that the prayer was not answered?

　　Going back to her seat, she took up her knitting and was soon living overthe past, when she was young and dwelt with "the old folks at home."Suddenly there came from the house the sound of merry laughter. High aboveall the rest was a voice, whose clear, ringing tones made Katy start up soquickly that, as she afterward described it, "a sudden misery cotched herin the back, and pulled her down quicker." There was something in thesound of that laugh, which seemed to Katy like an echo of the past. "But,"thought she, "I'm deaf like and mebby didn't hear straight. I'll go to thekitchen agin and hark."

　　In a few minutes she was in the kitchen and dropping down on the mealchest as the first seat handy, she said, "Ho, Judy, is you noticed thestrange gentleman's laugh?"

　　"I hain't noticed nothing" answered Judy, who chanced to be out of sorts,because, as she said, "the white folks had done et up every atom of egg;they didn't even leave her the yaller of one!"

　　"Well, suthin in his laugh kerried me back to the old plantation inCarlina, and I b'lieve, between you and me, Judy, that Marster William'shere," said Katy.

　　"Marster William, Marster William; what on airth do you mean?" asked Judy,forgetting the eggs in her surprise.

　　At the mention of "Marster William," who was looked upon as a great man,but a dead one, the little negroes gathered around, and one of them, ourold friend, Bobaway, said, "Oh, Laddy, I hope 'tis Marster William, forMarster Josh'll be so tickled that he won't keer if we don't do nothin'for a week; and I needn't milk the little heifer, nuther! Oh, good, good!"

　　"You go long, you Bob," said Aunt Judy, seizing a lock of his wool betweenher thumb and finger, "let me catch you not milking the heifer, and I'llcrack you."

　　Again there was the sound of laughter, and this time Judy dropped herdishcloth, while Katy sprang up, saying, "'Tis, I know 'tis; any way, I'llwalk round thar as if for a little airin', and can see for myself."

　　Accordingly, old Katy appeared around the corner of the house just as Mr.Middleton had spoken to his brother of his color. The moment Mr.Stafford's eye rested on his old nurse, he knew her. Twenty years had notchanged her as much as it had him. Starting up he exclaimed, "Katy, dearold mammy Katy," while she uttered a wild, exultant cry of joy, andspringing forward threw her thin, shriveled arms around his neck,exclaiming, "My darling boy, my sweet Marster William. I knowed 'twas you.I knowed your voice. You are alive, I've seen you, and now old Katy'sready to die."

　　White as ashes grew the face of Uncle Joshua. The truth had flashed uponhim, and almost rendered him powerless. Pale and motionless he sat, untilWilliam, freeing himself from Aunt Katy, came forward and said, "Joshua, Iam William, your brother; don't you know me?"

　　Then the floodgates of Uncle Joshua's heart seemed unlocked, and the long,fervent embrace which followed between the rough old man and hisnewly-found brother made more than one of the lookers on turn away hisface lest his companion should detect the moisture in his eyes, whichseriously threatened to assume the form of tears.

　　When the first joy and surprise of this unexpected meeting was over, Mr.Joshua Middleton said, as if apologizing for his emotion, "I'm dumblyafeard, Bill, that I acted mighty baby-like, but hang me if I could helpit. Such a day as this I never expected to see, and yet I have lain awakeo' nights thinkin' mebby you'd come back. But such ideas didn't last long,and I'd soon give you up as a goner."

　　"That's jest what I never did," said Aunt Katy, who still stood near.

　　In the excitement of the moment she had forgotten that she had longthought of "Marster William" as dead; she continued, "A heap of prars Isaid for him, and it's chiefly owin' to them prars, I reckon, that he'sdone fished up out of the sea."

　　"I've never been in the sea yet, Aunt Katy," said Mr. Middleton, desirousof removing from her mind the fancy that any special miracle had beenwrought in his behalf.

　　"Whar in fury have you been, and what's the reason you hain't writ thesedozen years? Come, give us the history of your carryin's on," said Mr.Joshua Middleton.

　　"Not now," answered his brother. "Let us wait until evening, and then youshall hear my adventures; now let me pay my respects to your wife."

　　While he was introducing himself to Mrs. Middleton, Katy went back to thekitchen, whither the news had preceded her, causing Bob in his joy to turnseveral somersaults. In the last of these he was very unfortunate, for hisheels, in their descent, chanced to hit and overturn a churn full ofbuttermilk! When Aunt Katy entered she found Bob bemoaning the backache,which his mother had unsparingly given him! Aunt Judy herself, havingcleared away the buttermilk, by sweeping it out of doors, was waitingeagerly to know "if Marster William done axed arter her."

　　"Why, no, Judy," said Katy, somewhat elated because she had been first torecognize and welcome the stranger. "Why, no, I can't say he did, and'tain't nateral like that he should set so much store by you, as by me.Ain't I got twenty years the start on you; and didn't I nuss him, andarter his mother died didn't I larn him all his manners?"

　　Aunt Judy was on the point of crying, when who should walk in but "MarsterWilliam" himself. "I am told," said he, "that Judy is here, Judy, that Iused to play with."

　　"Lor' bless you, Marster William," exclaimed Judy, at the same timecovering his hand with tears and kisses, "It's Judy, I is, I know'd youhadn't done forgot me."

　　"Oh, no, Judy," said he, "I have not forgotten one of you, but I did notknow whether you were living or not, so I did not bring you presents, butI'll get you something, in a few days. Meantime take this," said he,slipping a silver dollar into the hands of Aunt Katy and Aunt Judy, eachof whom showered upon him so many blessings and "thankes" that he was gladto leave the kitchen and return to his companions, who were talking toUncle Joshua without getting any definite answer.

　　His brother's sudden return had operated strangely upon him, and for atime he seemed to be in a kind of trance. He would draw his chair upclosely to William, and, after gazing intently at him for a time, wouldpass his large rough hand over his hair, muttering to himself, "Yes, it isBill, and no mistake, but who'd a thought it?"

　　At last rousing himself he turned to his other guests, and said, "Youmustn't think hard on me, if I ain't as peart and talkin' like for aspell; Bill's comin' home has kinder oversot the old man, and I'm thinkin'of the past when we's little boys and lived at home on pap's oldplantation afore any of us was dead."

　　The young gentlemen readily excused the old man's silence, and when theslanting beams of the setting sun betokened the approach of night, theyall, with the exception of Ashton, began to speak of returning home. Mr.Middleton urged them to stay, saying, "What's the use of goin'? Nancy'sgot beds enough, I reckon, and will be right glad of a chance to show hernew calico kiverlids, and besides we are goin' to have some briled hen inthe morning, so stay."

　　But as the next day was the Sabbath, the gentlemen declined theinvitation, and bidding the host "good-bye," they were soon on their wayhomeward, each declaring that he had seldom spent a pleasanter day. Asthey can undoubtedly find their way to Frankfort without our assistance,we will remain at Uncle Joshua's together with Mr. William Middleton andAshton. The latter felt as if he had suddenly found an old friend, and asnothing of importance required his presence at home, he decided to remainwhere he was until Monday.

　　That evening, after everything was "put to rights" and Mr. Middleton hadyelled out his usual amount of orders, he returned to the porch, where hisbrother and Ashton were still seated. Lighting his old cob pipe he said,"Come, Bill, Nancy'll fetch out her rockin' cheer and knittin' work, andwe'll hear the story of your doin's in that heathenish land, but be kindershort, for pears like I'd lived a year today, and I feel mighty like goin'to sleep."

　　After a moment's silence Mr. Middleton commenced: "I shall not attempt tojustify myself for running away as I did, and yet I cannot say that I haveever seriously regretted visiting those countries, which I probably shallnever look upon again. I think I wrote to you, Joshua, that I took passageon the ship Santiago, which was bound for the East Indies. Never shall Iforget the feeling of loneliness which crept over me, on the night when Ifirst entered the city of Calcutta, and felt that I was indeed alone in aforeign land, and that more than an ocean's breadth rolled between me andmy childhood's home. But it was worse than useless to dwell upon the past.I had my fortune to make, and I began to look about for some employment.At last I chanced to fall in with an intelligent Spaniard, Signor deCastello. He was a wealthy merchant, and for several years had resided inCalcutta. As he spoke the English language fluently, I found no trouble inmaking his acquaintance.

　　"He seemed pleased with me and offered me the situation of clerk in hiscounting room. I accepted his offer, and also became an inmate of hisdwelling, which was adorned with every conceivable luxury. His familyconsisted of himself and his daughter, Inez."

　　At the mention of Inez, Ashton half started from his chair, butimmediately reseating himself, listened while Mr. Middleton proceeded: "Iwill not attempt to describe Inez, for I am too old now to even feel youngagain, by picturing to your imagination the beauty of that fair Spaniard.I will only say that I never saw one, whose style of beauty would begin tocompare with hers, until I beheld my niece, Julia."

　　"Lord knows, I hope she wan't like Tempest," said Uncle Joshua, at thesame time relieving his mouth of its overflowing contents.

　　"I do not know whether she were or not," answered Mr. Middleton, "I onlyknow that Inez seemed too beautiful, too gentle, for one to suspect thattreachery lurked beneath the soft glance of her dark eyes. I know not whyit was, but Castello, from the first seemed to entertain for me a strongfriendship, and at last I fully believe the affection he felt for me wassecond only to what he felt for his daughter. But he could not remain withus, and in eighteen months after I first knew him, he took one of thefevers common to that sultry climate, and in the course of a few days hewas dead. I wrote to you of his death, but I did not tell you that he hadleft a will, in which all his immense wealth was equally divided betweenmyself and Inez. He did not express his desire that we should marry, but Iunderstood it so, and thenceforth looked upon Inez as belongingexclusively to myself."

　　"You didn't marry her, though, I take it," said Joshua, making a thrust atan enormous mosquito, which had unceremoniously alighted upon his brawnyfoot.

　　"No," answered William, "I did not marry her, but 'twas not my fault. Sheplayed me false. Six months after her father's death we were to bemarried. The evening previous to our wedding arrived. I was perfectlyhappy, but Inez seemed low-spirited, and when I inquired the cause sheanswered, 'Nothing, except a little nervous excitement.' I readilybelieved her; but when the morning came the cause of her low spirits wasexplained. The bird had flown, with a young Englishman, Sir ArthurEffingham, who had been a frequent guest at my house."

　　"That was one of Tempest's capers to a dot," said Uncle Joshua, "but goon, Bill, and tell us whether the disappointment killed you or not."

　　So William proceeded: "Instead of my bride, I found a note from Inez, inwhich she asked pardon for what she had done, saying she had long lovedSir Arthur, but did not dare tell me so. They were going to England,whither she wished me to send a part of her portion, as her husband wasnot wealthy. I could understand Inez's character perfectly, and couldreadily see that she preferred a titled but poor Englishman to a wealthy,but plain American, so I gave her up quietly."

　　"And was mighty glad to get shut of her so," interrupted Joshua.

　　"From that time," continued William, "I gave up all thoughts of marriage,and devoted myself to increasing my wealth, and spending it for my owncomfort and the good of others. Twelve years ago I chanced to go on boardthe Delphine, and there I found Ashton."

　　"Look at him, for gracious sake," said Uncle Joshua, pointing towardAshton. "Why man, you are as white as one of Judy's biscuit; what ailsyou?"

　　"Nothing," answered Ashton, who really was much affected by Mr.Middleton's narrative; but he said, "I am only thinking of the long, wearydays I passed in the Delphine before Mr. Middleton kindly cared for me."

　　This seemed quite natural, and Mr. Middleton continued: "Ashton was wastedto a mere skeleton by ship fever, and my heart yearned toward him. PerhapsI felt a stronger sympathy for him when I learned that he was an American.He, like myself, had run away. The vessel, in which he had embarked, hadbeen wrecked, and he, with two others, were saved in a small boat. Fordays they floated above the broad expanse of waters until at length theDelphine picked them up, and brought them to India. I had Ashton removedto my house, but as soon as he recovered, he took French leave of me. Fromthat time I lived alone. I wrote to you frequently, but got no answer. Myletters must have been lost, but I then concluded you were dead. At last Ibegan to have such an ardent desire to tread my native soil once more thatI disposed of my property and set out for home, so here I am and have toldyou my history; what do you think of it?"

　　There was no answer save the sound of heavy breathing; Uncle Joshua hadprobably got to sleep "all over." The cessation of his brother's voiceawoke him, and rubbing his eyes he said, "Yes, yes, Ashton had the shipfever. I hope he can't give it now, for I'm mortal feared on't."

　　Ashton assured him there was no danger, and then, turning to William,said, "Have you ever heard from Inez?"

　　"Yes," said Mr. Middleton. "About a year after her marriage I heard of thebirth of a daughter, whom she called Inez Middleton. I have heard of themonce or twice since, but not recently."

　　After a moment's silence Ashton, with some hesitation, said, "If I mistakenot, I know Inez Effingham well."

　　"You know Inez, my Inez--where--how--tell me all," said Mr. Middleton,grasping Ashton's hand as if a new link suddenly added to the chain offriendship which already bound them together.

　　"You probably remember," said Ashton, "that when I left you so suddenlythere was an American vessel in port. I was anxious to return home, butfancied you would oppose it, so I left without a word, and went on boardthe ship. During the voyage, I found that one of the crew was from mynative town. I eagerly inquired after my parents and my little sisterNellie, whom you so often heard me mention. Judge of my feelings when toldthat they were all dead. In the agony of the moment, I attempted to throwmyself overboard, but was prevented. From that time all desire to returnwas gone, and when at last we stopped at one of the ports in England, Ileft the vessel to try my fortune in the mother country."

　　"But Inez," said Mr. Middleton, "what of Inez?"

　　"I will tell you," answered Ashton. "After remaining in England some yearsI became acquainted with her father, Sir Arthur Effingham, who lived fortymiles from London. He invited me to visit his house and there I first sawInez and her mother. To know Inez was to love her, but I could not hope towin the haughty Englishman's daughter, and besides she was so young that Idid not believe I had made any impression upon her. But, encouraged byLady Effingham, I at length ventured to ask Inez of her father. I did notwish to marry her then, as she was only fourteen, but her father spurnedme with contempt, and bade me never again enter his house. I obeyed, buttried many times to procure an interview with Inez. I succeeded, and toldher I was about to leave England for America, but should never forget her.I would not suffer her to bind herself to me by any promise, but expressedmy belief that at some future time she would be mine. It is three yearssince we parted. I came immediately to America, but I could not bear toreturn to my old home, and see it occupied by others, so I wandered thisway and at last settled in Frankfort as a merchant."

　　Here he stopped and Mr. Middleton said, "You have not told me of themother. Does she still live?"

　　Ashton answered, "She was living when I left England, but Inez has sincewritten me of her death."

　　"That will do, Ashton; that will do. I do not wish to hear any more now,"said Mr. William.

　　While Mr. Middleton and Ashton were relating their adventures, Aunt Katywas busily engaged in superintending the arrangement of "MarsterWilliam's" sleeping room. Mrs. Middleton had bidden Judy to see thateverything was put in order, but Aunt Katy seemed to think nothing couldbe done right unless she had an oversight of it. So she was walking backand forth, consulting with Judy a little and ordering her a good deal.

　　"Now, Judy," said she, "hain't you no more idees of ilegance than to pushthe bedstead smack up agin the clarbuds; just pull it out a foot or two,as old Miss use to do."

　　Judy complied with her request and she continued: "Lordy sakes--don't MissNancy know better than to put Marster William to sleep in such coarsesheets," at the same time casting a rueful glance at the linens which Judyhad put upon the bed. "You set down, Judy," said Aunt Katy, "and I'll tendto the bed myself."

　　So saying she hobbled off to her cabin and opening her "old red chist,"drew from it a pair of half-worn, but very fine linen sheets. These sheshook most lustily in order to free them from the rose leaves, lavendersprigs and tobacco, which she had placed between their folds. With theformer she thought to perfume them, while the latter was put there for thepurpose of keeping out moths. The old creature had heard that tobacco wasgood to keep moths from woolens, and she knew of no reason why it wouldnot answer every purpose for linen.

　　"Thar," said she, on returning to the house, "these begins to look alittle like Marster William. They was gin to me by old marster, jest aforehe died. They 'longed to old Miss, and if any one on us could read, Ireckon we should find her name on 'em somewhar writ in brawdery."

　　When the bed and room were adjusted to her satisfaction, she went down tothe kitchen and took a seat there. Here Aunt Judy found her about teno'clock that night.

　　"What on airth you sittin' here for?" said she.

　　"Oh, I's only waitin' till Marster William gets a little used to his roomafore I axes him how he likes it and does he want anything."

　　Accordingly, not long after, Aunt Katy stole upstairs and opening the doorcalled out, "Ho, Marster William, does you want anything, and is you gotenough kiver?"

　　But "Marster William's" senses were too soundly locked in sleep to heedthe faithful creature, and after standing still a moment, she said toherself, "I'm mighty feared he'll cotch cold."

　　So back she went to her cabin and from the same "red chist" took amany-colored patchwork quilt. This she carried to the house and spreadcarefully over Mr. Middleton, saying, "He won't be none too comfortable,and in the mornin' he'll see it, and I'll tell him I done pieced andquilted it my own self."

　　The consequence of this extra covering was that Mr. Middleton awoke in thenight with the impression that he was being suffocated in the hot climateof Calcutta! He did not know that she, to whom he was indebted for hiswarm berth, was now sleeping quietly and dreaming "how tickled MarsterWilliam would be when he knew she had lent him her spare sheets andbedquilt!"