The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-10
THE COUSINS.

~
Miss Milford, an English authoress of con-
siderable reputation. The whole is too
long for one paper, and it is story which,
1 it will not spoil to divide. The first half
Of the story, like The bigger portion Of the
first volume of some of SCOTS novels, is
merely introductory TO what follows. So
we will sum up the PREDATORY part in few
words and then give the denouement in
Miss Mtford's own beautiful language
Hartford Recorder. 55 .ia ai.asl
l Lawyer Molesworth was rich landlord
in Cranley, the n native town of Miss Milford
He had two daughters TO whom his pleas.
ant house owed its chief attraction. Agnes
was beautiful woman, Jessey was pret.
ty girl. The fond father intended that
Jessey should marry poor relation, one
Charles Woodford. Charles had been
brought up by his uncle's kindness and
had recently returned into the family from
great office in London. Charles was to
be the immediate partner and eventual
successor to the fourishing business his
benelactor, whose regard seemed fully JUS
VI
able talents of the orphan nephew. Agnes
who secretly entertained an affection for
Charles, was destined by her father for
young baronet, who had lately been much
at the house.
But in affairs of love. as in all others,
says Miss Milford, man is born TO disap-
pointments. "L'homme propose, et Dieu
dispose" is never truer than in the great
matter of matrimony. So found poor Mr..
Molesworth, who-Jessey having arrived
at the age of eighteen, and Charles at two
and twenty offered his pretty daughter
and the lucrative partnership to his penni-
less relation and was petrifed with aston
ishment and indignation to find the con.
nection very respectfully and firmly de-,
clined. The young man was very much
distressed and agtated; he had the highes,
respect for Miss Jessey, but could not
marry hsr-he loved another! And then
he poured forth a confidence as unexpect.
ed as it was undesired by his incensed
patron, who left hlm in undiminished wrath
and increased perplexity.
This interview had taken place imme-
diately after breakfast; and when the con-
ference was ended the provoked father
sought his daughters, who, happily un.
concous Of all that had occurred, were
amusing themselves in their splendid OBJ
servatory-a scene always as becoming
as it is agreeable to youth and beauty.
Jessey was fitting about like butterfly
among the fragrant orange trees and bright
geraniums. Agnes was standing under
a superb fuschida that hung over large
marble basin-her form and attitude, her
white dress, and the classical arrangement
of her dark hair giving her the look Of
some nymph or naiad, a rare relic of Gre
clan art. Jessey was pratting gally as
she wandered about, Of a concert they had
attended the evening before at the country
town.
81 hate Concerts said the pretty little
firt; "to sit bolt upright on hard bench
for two hours, between the same four peo-
pie, without the possibility Of moving, or
speaking to anybody, or anybody's getting
to us! Oil how tiresome it is!''
"lsaw Sir Edwardtrying to slide through
the crowd to reach you," said Agnes, a
little archly; "his presence would perhaps,
have mitigated the evil. But the barricade
was TOO complete; he was forced TO retreat
without accomplishing his object"
eyes, | assure you he thought it very
tiresoms; he told me so when he was COM
ing out. And then the music!" pursued
Jessey, "the noise that they call music!
Sir Edmund saws that he likes no music,
except my guitar. or a flute on the water;
and like none except your playing on the
organ and singing Handel on Sunday |
evening. or Charles Woodford's reading
Milton and bits of Hamlet" ''' a'
"Do you call that musicl" said Agnes,
laughing "And yet" continued she. sit
is most truly so, with his rich, Pasta like
voice, and his fine sense of sound; and 10
you, who do not greatly love ii for its sake,
in kind that Of the most thrilling of melo.
dies on the noblest ofinstruments. my.
self have such a qualification in hearing
that voice recits the verses Of Homer or
Sopholes in the original Greek-Charles
Woodford's reading is music" "iar'i 7a
''Itis a music which neither Of YOU are
likely to hear again." interrupted Mr..
lMolesworth advancing suddenly towards
them; "for he has been ungratsfal and |
have discharged him!"t asfd> oa niai 4
Agnes stood as if petri6ed. "Ungrate-
full! oh, father!' III 'silit,a No naed Il
"You can't have discharged him to be
sure papa,'' said Jessey, always good ma
tured; "poor Charles! what can he have
done?S TYADRiIAJ NO5i8 EaTAd
"Refused yourshand, my child" said
the angry parent; refused to be my part
ner and son-in-law, ard fallen ntloye with
another lady! What have youto say 10
him now?'';s hts .ia,isii 1e t,8Bxs5 ~