Tempest and Sunshine

The blacks then gathered round, and he shook hands with all, saying, "How

d'ye, boys? How d'ye? Have you worked right smart since I've been gone? If

you have, you may have a play spell the rest of the arternoon."

So saying, he entered the house, where after greeting his wife, Julia and

Mr. Miller, he was introduced to "Miss Wilmot." He took her hand and

looking at her for a moment, said, "Wilmot, Wilmot! Are you Dick's

sister?"

Kate's eyes filled with tears as she exclaimed, "Yes, sir, Richard was my

brother."

"Richard was your brother! Great Moses! What does this mean? And you in

black and crying!" Then looking at his wife, who was also in tears, he

added impatiently, "What in thun--" but instantly recollecting himself, he

said more gently, "Can't anybody tell me what has happened?" And the old

man's cheek paled, and his voice trembled, as the dread of what might have

happened stole over him.

Fanny at last went up to him and said softly, "Father, Mr. Wilmot is

dead!"

Mr. Middleton sank into the nearest chair, and covering his rough face

with his hands, wept as freely as a little child. He had loved Mr. Wilmot

with almost a father's love, and during his absence had not been unmindful

of him. Safely stowed away in his carpet bag were several costly books,

which he had purchased as a present for Richard. He had also hoped that as

Julia's husband he would have a good influence over her, and improve her

fractious disposition; and many were the plans which he had formed as to

what he would do when Richard was really his son. But now he was gone

forever. The blow was so sudden, so unexpected, that for several minutes

he was stunned by its force and wept on in silence.

At last, lifting up his head, he turned to Kate and said, "You must not

think me a silly old fool, child, for Lord knows old Josh Middleton hain't

shed such tears since he was a little shaver and cried when they buried up

his dead mother."

Kate could not reply, but from that time she felt for Mr. Middleton a

respect and esteem which nothing could ever change.

After Mr. Middleton had become calm, he proceeded to enumerate to Mr.

Miller the many good qualities of Mr. Wilmot. Said he, "He was a capital

feller; allus just so. Lively as a cricket; none of your stuck-up,

fiddle-faddle notions. And then he was such a good boarder--not a bit

particular what he eat; why, he was the greatest kind of a man--eat corn

bread, turnip greens, or anything!"