Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-12-19
The Hump-Backed Cousin.

AAC NOtASAAss
Behold an extraordinary adventure of these
later days. If it were an ordinary occurrance,
one need not relate it.
A father of a family inhabiting the Rue do
la Michodiere, received last SUMMER, a letter
from his nephew, who was in the employ Of
Hyder Abad. This letter concluded thus -
81 have received the portraits of my two
cousins, Marie and Margaret. l have never
had the pleasure of seeing them, as l have lived
with Hyder Abad, since my youth, but I am
| will arrive at Havre, by the ship mos Ego,
about the first of October, and on my arrival
l am determined, with YOU. consent, to marry
the beautiful Mar"
The breaking open of the letter had destroy
ed the rest Of the name. It is impossible to
tell if the cousin asks Marie or Margaret in
marriage. The two sisters, united previous
to this time, have commenced to live in misun-
derstandings, each Of them positive that it was
the rest of her name which was torn off in break
ing seal. d 1y
The father employed his eloquence in calming
the anger of his daughters, when a servant, sent
in advance, arrives from Havre, announcing that
his master left for Paris by the evening train.
The servant, overwhelmed with questions,
| replied that his master was ruined, and that he
had, moreover, on his left shoulder, the horrid
%protuberance which caused, according to Pla-
nude, SO many misfortunes to Esop the Phry-
gian. ~
The two cousins determine, hereupon, to re-
main single forever, before marrying a cousin
hump backed and ruined.
AS they take this oath for the thirtieth time
in twelve hours, the cousin arrives. His uncle
warmly embraces him; the cousins make him q
polite bow and turn away their eyes.
: The uncle then explains the incident Of the
torn letter, and asks the matrimonial intentions
of his nephew. .s '.tl' 5.5 ~ :
ut is my cousin Marie whom I come to mar
ry," he replied.
aNever! neyer!!" screamed Marie. u ann con-
tented with my condition, and will remaini in
it," s.. - .
aMademoiselle," said the nephew. u have
adopted the customs Of the country where |
have been educated. Read the customs of
Hyder Abad, in Tarnier. There, when a young
man is refused in an offer of marriage, he with
draws himselffrom society as a useless being"
aHe kills himselfT exclaimed the other sis-
ter, the good Margaret. s @
ale kills himself" replies the nephew, in the
tone Of a man who is about to commit suicide.
aThis poor cousin said Margaret, weeping.
~ COAC llOuh ouCh q ASsssAAS W AS So S~~
bosom of his family"
"Tknow," continued the nephew, "that my
deformity afflicts the sight of q woman, but in
time the eyes of a woman, become habituated
to all things. | know, also, that my CONNER
position il not prosperous. Thrown very
Young in the diamound business, the only oc. "A
of Hyder Abad, / lost there all the for
Of my father; but have acquired ex-
perience; / am young, active, and industrious.
These are riches in themselves"
4Yes, yes, ~humpbacked and ruined!' NUT.
tered Marie aside, in a bantering tone. sa@s4 Dos
aPoor young man, said Margaret, and she
adds, amy c%ousin,f am refused, and you pay.
no attention to it"
aAnd by whom refuseda" inquired her cou- :
sin. ys In. ss6.8 fea3t 40 Fa4. 9lttt
"Butto your cost, by you, since you have We
preferred my sister to me"
sEh, bien!'' said the cousin, twill you accept
me if Task you in marriage from my unclep!
aIwill engage my father to let my cousin live"
aWhat!' exclaimed the hunchback; you con-
sent, my lovely Margaret, to-
sSave the life of a relative! Indeed ! will y
not wayer a minute aa00 a5 ~
sThat is very well, my daughter, said the
uncle affected by this scene. aRomances have
not spoiled you. / have a very small income,
but I ought not to abandon the son OF my
brother in misfortune. Twill keep him here, as
kindred, for where there 10 enough. for three II
there is enough for four" 4eg 1
The cousin threw himself at Margarets feet,
saying:
sYou have saved an unfortunate man from g
and death" 4sg ii Ag BIZ
Margaret held out her hand to her cousin, and
At . little distance Marie muttereedto herself,
'"My sister has courage. As for me-, / would
let poor humpacked cousins die" saSa
4Uncle," said the young man, 4allow me to
make q slight toilet before breakfast" 9dl q
He pressed Magrarets hand, bowed to q
Marie, and left TO change his travelling attire. g
The uncle and his daughters, were at the Ia
bic, and awaited their fourth guest.
The servant announced the cousin q Hyder
Abad. -
The two girls uttered two screams, but on
different keys s@ .+@5 Is. /,
Thew ZEE enter q charming young man, tail,
without any humpback. who embraces Marga-
ret, and placing before her q basket, he says TO
her aBehold your marriage portion"
II was a basket full Of diamonds. II was,
the hump, which had deceived the
cuustom-houses officers, and which had thus ar =
rived free of duties. ,s adj
sSee what. ! have carried on my shoulders"
said the cousin, afffom Bombay to Havre, to Of
fer 1t to that one Of mycousins who would ac- :
cept me with my false poverty andlny feigned q
defomity."
There was great joy iii the house, which
was, astonishing as it may seem, participated
id by Marie. It's true that Marie loved her
sister dearly, without detesting the diamonds. ~
& &##4@ Z
uThe, only true enjoyment in life is derived
fiom the consciousness Of rectitude and truth