Tempest and Sunshine

"Whar in fury have you been, and what's the reason you hain't writ these

dozen 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 you

shall hear my adventures; now let me pay my respects to your wife."

While he was introducing himself to Mrs. Middleton, Katy went back to the

kitchen, whither the news had preceded her, causing Bob in his joy to turn

several somersaults. In the last of these he was very unfortunate, for his

heels, in their descent, chanced to hit and overturn a churn full of

buttermilk! When Aunt Katy entered she found Bob bemoaning the backache,

which his mother had unsparingly given him! Aunt Judy herself, having

cleared away the buttermilk, by sweeping it out of doors, was waiting

eagerly to know "if Marster William done axed arter her."

"Why, no, Judy," said Katy, somewhat elated because she had been first to

recognize 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, and

arter 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 "Marster

William" himself. "I am told," said he, "that Judy is here, Judy, that I

used to play with."

"Lor' bless you, Marster William," exclaimed Judy, at the same time

covering his hand with tears and kisses, "It's Judy, I is, I know'd you

hadn't done forgot me."

"Oh, no, Judy," said he, "I have not forgotten one of you, but I did not

know whether you were living or not, so I did not bring you presents, but

I'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, each

of whom showered upon him so many blessings and "thankes" that he was glad

to leave the kitchen and return to his companions, who were talking to

Uncle Joshua without getting any definite answer.

His brother's sudden return had operated strangely upon him, and for a

time he seemed to be in a kind of trance. He would draw his chair up

closely to William, and, after gazing intently at him for a time, would

pass his large rough hand over his hair, muttering to himself, "Yes, it is

Bill, and no mistake, but who'd a thought it?"