The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-19
From Alexander's Messenger.
A COUSIN, KISS
A SKETCH OF MY EARLY DAYS BY ]. S
"There's something in a kiss,
That never comes amiss.


Buoyant with the spirits of youth, about return
ing home after an absence of more than four years,
looked forward with almost childish glee to my
meeting with my affectionate uncle and aunt.
Having just finished my c. ursc at college, and
having graduated with the chief honors of my
class, the fond recolIectons of the past, and the
bright anticipations of the future, seemed to vie
IN affording joy to the present, and equally to
inspire me with emotions of delight. was an
orphan, with neither brothers nor sisters; but then
had blooming cousin, and that was pretty much
the same thing, for we had grown together from
almost infancy; aud if she was not sister, was
not then philosopher enough TO know the differ
ence. During my travel homeward, tried to
picture to myself The familiar scenes so fondly
loved, from which had been so long separated;
and whenever my imaginations reverted TO my
cousin, (which must confess they frequently did,)
i saw the fanced transport with which she wonld
.welcome me home" Alas! that we should be
SO vain.
/ was received with open arms, and evident
pleasure by my kind relatives, and when | was
kissed by them all-uncle-aunt-nurse-
almost to the washerwoman-it was absolutely
outrageous-''positively shocking! Harriet,
my pretty blushing cousin, should alone refuse the
kiss most desired. Such, then, was the termina-
ton of all my glowing day-dreams, and though her
eyes dit sparkle with joy, it was not exactly the
meeting I, had expected But she was SO lovely
that could not get angry; it would have been
ungallant in the highest and if could. under
stood the female heart enough to know that resent
ment was not the way to obtain the wshed-ior
Kiss, That she, who used to treat me with such
franl familiarity, herself as gentle, playful and
innocent as the fawn, and whom had found the
same fair being as formerly, with the exception
that she was far more beautiful, and had a htle
less of the girl about her; say, that shr should
be thus reserved and obstinate, why declare 1t
was really too bad How should I win the COW
eted boon' was puzzled! My cousin was SO
popular, that all the beaux of the country were in
her train; and yet, Notwithstanding these dffcul-
ties, Vas resolved TO gain the kiss, thousand
times more valued, now that it was so pertnacious-
ly withheld. must try.
There was one of her suitors named Thornton,
whom che seemed to like better than the rest; and
must say, that during the first month oil
my visit, she coquetted with him good deal al
my expense 1t used to give me touch OF unea'
siness now and then, but consoled myself with
the reflection that as was not in love, there was
no sense in being jealous, and besides, Mr., Thorn
toms favorable reception had nothing to do with
my object Of gaining kiss; so took TO teazing
my pretty cousin about her favorite lover. This
made great change in her conduct, as ! soon
perceived. She denied the charge at first, and
then grew really worried that ] wouldn't believe
eryand finally showed me pretty marked prefer
ence on every occasion. But was only cousin,
and nobody took any notice Of il. My walks and
conversations were all confined to the score Of
cousinship. but they were SO delicious that re-
getted the time had come for me to think Of my
departure, and WISHED that ones cousin could be
with one forever. But was rot worth copper
dollar, unless could get some heiress to marry
me for pity; and saw no way Of living without
roughing il through life, % that il was necessary
Ishould do something for myself. ! was too proud
to trespass farther On the bounty Of my uncle, or