The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-04-06
From the Olive Branch.
he Country Cousin.


beautiful Emily Howard, as she threw aside.
letter she had been r,cev wing, 'only think.
to be bored for whole fortnight, by n vnl.
gar country cousin, mat too. during the CAV
season! . dear! o dear. What VIII the
Wimots think But there it is, must
write her 10 come, for father as given her
n pressing invitation, Of course never once
hinkiBg she would accept
And she seized her pen and wrote pret-
ty note, and Fastening TO the bearer. " no
was awaiting an answer in an adjoining
room, with face wrCaihCd in smiles she
presented it. but, alas not one syllable
OF her vehement sohloquy had escaped the
gentleman, and he being a friend cf the fa.
mily by whom he was commissioned to de-
liver the message on his return, related the
whole affair to Louisa Daton-the country
cousin.
On being left alone, the aStonished Girl
burst into tears-tears of Disappointing Mt.
Indignation and mortified pride. BIT sic
soon recovered hcrself, and wiping hereyes.
seemed lost in thought, when suddenly a
merry laugh burst forth, and she rosuishly
said:
'Ay, that will De fnc at all events, III
make the most of my visit, and the foolish.
deceitful Emily Howard, shall fine that her
country cousin, in point Of vngarIiy is quite
mp to her imagination. | am suIe. il is but
fair that she should be punished, and as 10
her opinion or that Of her associates il mat
tiers but little to me. True it will be diff
!icult part TO play, but trust much to my
powers OF limitation in carrying ont my
plan, which, fortunately, according to the
science Of phrenology, are uhcommohly de-
veloped'
Could Emily Howard at this time have
looked in upon her expected guest, she
would have dismissed all fears of being dis.
Craced by her, and even She-thc admired
city belle, in point of beauty and accom-.
plishment, could not rival her. She was
gracefully reclining Oh a !uxurant lounge,
in rich and tasteful apartment. The liz ut
Of the departing sun was streaming through
the window, and the damaSk curtains re-
Elected deeper hue TO the rose tint on her
cheek. Though the traces Of tears
were still visablc, sunny smile played
around lips Of Madonna beauty, and every
feature seemed radiant with the sweet lie Ii
Of warm affection and young hope. Oh!
Joyous, happy season when life with its va
ried charms opens upon the young maiden,
with only rainbow hues; when on the
sunny landscape she sees no dark spot, or
eclipse.
The father Of Louisa, having acquired
competency, and being fond Of rural life,
while she was still a mere child, had chosen
lovely sequeStered retreat. Here, amid
natures sweet adoiniugs Of flowers AMI
shady groves, with fond father and tender
mother, she had passed her happy child.
hood, and here, she had numbered her
.'-i.tSe"ti, yvaI. -uu was poSSeSScAO OF line
natural talents, and under the guidance Of
her accomplished mother, had made great
proficiency in beth the solid and ornamen-
tai branches. Although she had travelled
much with her parents, and for one Of her
years had seen much Of the gay world,
though admirng eyes had Gazed on her,
and tlattery'S seductive voice had been
breathed i'll her ear, She still retained the
sweet simplicity and love Of nature, which
ever spring from pure heart.
Mr.. Charles Howard, her mothar's bro
ther, resided in distant city, but owing to
a slight misunderstanding between himsC II
and Mr.. Dalton, (tho nature of which viii
not at al! interest my readers, )heir families
had never been on terms of intimacy, AID
until within \ few mouths, had not visited,
when Mr.. Howard, in compliance with his
sisters earnest request, had >Ten few days
with them at their delightful home. He
had ever fond!y loved his sister, and the at.
tachment was warmly returned by her, so
that satisfactory explanation of the mis-
understanding which had occasioued the
breach was highly gratifying TO both, aud
they only regretted that IeconSiliatioh had
so long been postponed Mr.. Howard was
delighted with the genius, beauty and &C.
complishmentS OF Louisa, and could not for.
bear contrasting the graceiulmodeSty Of her
manners, with the lofty bearing and haugh.
ty a.lectation OF his own beloved child: and
when no had urged the acceptance Of his
invitation, it had been with hope OF bane-
fitting her, not less, than with desire for
the congeniel society of his interesting
niece. He was aware that his daughter,
having seen only rustic beauties, had imbi.
bed foolish, but strong prejudice against
those whose lot was cast without the pale of
populous city, and he iorbofe max ing any
comments upon their expected guest, as he
wished to witness the surprise Of Emily,
when she should discover the superiority of
her country cousin. At every mention of
the visit, the fallen countenancc of Emily
betrayed to him how unwelcome il was, and
he well knew she was bitterly at icipating
many humilating modification, aud try.
ing position to which her vister must *.
pose her. She dared not complain 10 her
father, for she understood his views too
well to expect sympathy; aud she also
knew that he would esquire Of her every at
tention upon her cousin.
The expected day at length arrived, and
with sickning heat, Emily, for the first
time in her life, beheld a stage coach stop
before her fathers mantion. As she had a
great aversion to such vehicles, she could
restrain herself no longer, and forgetting all
fears of her fathers diSpleasure, with a
scorniul manner and distressed tone, she
exclaimed,
~ dusty stage.coach Oh papa, how
could you doom me to such anuoyances and
all for the sake of n miserable country
girl f.? What on earth will the Wllmots
sayP
The color mounted to the temples of Mr..
Howard, and Emily's cheeks flushed be-
meath the harsheSt look of reproyal which
she had ever seen on his unusually btnevo-
lent face. As she reluctanly rose to re.
ceive her guest, he coldly said,
Emily, don't trouble yourself; will do
the civilites; as | cannot bear TO see my