Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-12-24
THE HUMPED-BACK COUSIN.

Behold an extraordinary adventure OF
these latter days. II ii were an ordinary
occurrence one need not relate it.
A father Of a family inhabiting the Rue
de Ia Michodiere, received last summer, a
letter from his nephew, who was in the
employ of Hydsr Abad. This letter con-
cluded thus:
4 have received the portraits Of my two
cousins. Marie and Margaret. / have new
er had the pleasure of seeing them, as l
have lived with Hyder Abad, since my
youth, but am sure that these two portraits
are resemblances. I will arrive at Havre
by the ship Iaos Ego, about the lss Of
October, and on my arrival, am deter.
mined, with your consent, to marry the
beautiful Mar-----.'
The breaking open Of the letter had des-
troy ed the rest Of The name. 1t is impos-
sible to tell if the cousin nsks Marie or
Margaret in marriage. The TWO sisters.
united previous to this time, have COM
menced to live in misunderstandings e,ch
of them positive that it was the rest..oe her
name which was torn off in breaking the
seal.
The father employed his eloquence in
calming the anger of his daughters, when
servant, sent in advance, arrives from Ha-
vre, announcing that his master left for
Paris with the evening train.
The servant, overwhelmed with ques-
Etions, replied that his master was ruined,
and that he had, moreover, on his. left
shoulder, the horrid protuberance which
caused, according to Planude, so many
Emisfortunes to Esop the Phrygian. a2a
The two cousins determined, hereupon,
to remain single forever, before marrying
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 cous-
ins make him polite bow, and turn away
their eyes. s-.:..,
The uncle then explains the incident of
the torn letter, and asks the matrimonial
intentions Of his nephew.
| alt is my cousin Marie whom come to
marry he replied. asssa. zsi.
| sNever! neverp screamed Marie. 4 am
contented with my condition, and will re-
main in it,
eMademoselle, said the nephew, 4 have
adopted the customs ofihe country where
have been educated. Read the customs Of
Hyder Abad. in Tavernier. Then, when
young man is refused in an offer Of mar.
riage, he withdraws himself from society
as useless being @ 8s s..@'.sz-
| He kills himselfp exclaimed the other
sister, the good Margaret. @
He kills himself!; replies the nephew,
/ in the tone Of a man who IS about 10 COM
init suicide. -
This poor cousin,' said Margaret. weep
ing, SO come from such a distance, to die
in the bosom Of his family
my deiormity affects the sight Of a woman
but in time the eyes of woman become ha
biluated to all things. l know, also, thu
|, my commercial position is not prosperous
Thrown very young in the diamond bust
ness, the only occupation OF Hyder Abad
lost there ali the fortune of my father; bu
Il | have acquired experience; | am young
active and industrious. These are riche
in themselves IS s@-as.-- r.. .ass 90
Yes, yes, hump.backed and ruined!
mu.tered Marie aside, in a bantering tone
I Poor young mani said Margaret. ant
she adds, my cousin, am refused and yo'
pay no attention to it.
And by whom refuseda' inquired he
cousin.
But to your cost, by you, since you hav
my sister to me- s - ,l'
i, 'Eh, bien!' said the cousin, will you &C
I cept me if ask you in marriage from m.
!. uncle?' ..sz
S 4 will engage my father TO let my cous
in live