was a magnificent assemblage of thg rich
est and most respectable families of the
town ; and each one was most anxious to
outstrip the others in doing honors lo
the rich and distinguished Mr. Perley
from abroad ;" w hen the "pooL relation"
made his appearance, in the midst of the
brilliant assembly, dressed in precisely die
same clothes iu which he wandered thio'
the village, and holding in his hand the
same uncouth stick, cut from the ibls,
which supported his feeble steps from
house to house!
It would be impossible to delineate the
various countenances which were there
exhibited. We must leave the tilling up
of that picture to the imagination of the
reader. It is only necessary lo add, thai
the stranger was the long-lost 'Thomas,
who had made an immense fortune in the
Indies, He now immediately look steps
to carry out the will of his beloved parent,
receiving all the property it gave him.
Iu the year following, he purchased the
delightful retreat of "Auburn Grove,"
where he erecied a charming residence,
He soon after led lo the altar the amiable
and affectionate young widow, Mrs. Ame
lia Perley, who was not too proud to wel
come him toiler humble cottage, as a rel
ative of her departed husband, even tho'
he appeared there in the borrowed totter?
of poverty ami misfortune. It was ales
sou which is often repeated by 'the. villa
gers at Weckford, and will do noharniby
being repeated elsewhere.
