Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-14
From The French.
The Hump-Backed Cousin.

occurrence, one need not relate it.
A father of family inhabiting the Rue
de Michodiere, received last summer, let
ter from his nephew. who was in the employ
of Hyder Abad The letter concluded thus:
i have received the portraits of my two
cousins, Marie and Margaret. have never
had the pleasure of seeing them, as have
lived with Hyder Abad since my youth, but
| am sure that these portraits are rescmb-
lances. will arrive at Havre by the ship
Ingos Ego, about the first of October, and
on my return, am determined to marry the
beautiful Mar
The breaking open Of the letter had des-
troyed the rest of the name. 1t is impossi-
bic to tell if the cousin asked Margaret or
Marie in marriage. The two sisters united
previous to this time, have commenced to
live in misunderstanding, each of them pos
| tive that it was the rest of her name which
was torn off in breaking the seal.
The father employed his elcqueneei in calm
ing the anger Of his daughters, when a SER
want sent in advance, arrived at Havre, an
nouncing that his master went to Paris with
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 Paanude, so many misfortunes to Esop
the phrygian.
The two sisters determined to remain sin
gle forever, before marrying cousin, hump
backed and ruined
AS they take this oath for the twentieth
time in twelve hours, the cousin arrives:-
The uncle warmly embraces him, the cousins
make polite bow, and turn away their eyes.
The uncle then explains the incident of the
torn letter and asks the intenti, rs ofhis neph-
ew.
1T is my cousin Marie whom | came to
marry, he replied.
'Never-never = screamed Marie, i am
contented with my condition, and shall re-
main in it.
'Madcmoisclle, said the nephew, 'remem-
ber the customs of the country where have
been educated. Read the customs of Hyder
Abad, in Travernier. There, when young
man is refused in marriage, he withdraws
himself from society as a useless being
He kills himself! exclaims the good
Margaret.
He kills HIMSELF replies the nephew, in
the tone of man about to commit suicide.
This poor cousin, said Margaret, weep
ing, 'to come from such a distance to die in
the bosom of his family
Il know said the nephew, that my de-
formity affects the sight of woman, Dut in
time the eyes of woman become habituated
to all things. ] know also, that my conf
mercial prospects are not prosperous Thrown
very young into the diamond business, the
only employment of Hyder Abad, | lost
there all the fortune of my father, but L
had acquired experience-I am young, ae-
tive and industrious. These are riches in
themselves
Yes yes, hump-backed and ruined NUT
tered Marie aside, in a bantering tone.
Poor young man. Margaret adds, my
CO usin am refused and YOU pay no atteE
tion to it.
And by whom refused ? inquired her
cousin.
But to your cost, by you, since you pre-
fer my sister to me-
'Eh bein 2 said the cousin. will you ac
cept me if | ask you in marriage from uncle Z
i will engage my father to let my cousir
live
What? exclaimed the hump-back, dc
you consent my lovely Margaret To-
Save the life of a relative. Indeed, IL
not waver a moment
This is we'll done my daughter said tht
uncle affected by the scene. Remonstran
ces have not spoiled you. | have a yer,
small income, but l ought not to abandon
the son of my brother in misfortune. | vii
keep him here as a kindred, for where ther
is enough for three, there is for four
The cousin threw himself at Margaret
feet saying
You have saved the life Of an unfortunat
, man.
At a little distance, Marie muttered to hel
self, My sister has courage. As for me,
!, would let hump-backed cousins die
Uncle said the young man, allow me I
make slight toilet before breakfast
: He pressed Margaret's hand, bowling
4 Marie, and left to change bis travelling attir
) The uncle and his daughters we're at tt
table and awaited their guest.
0 The servant announced the cousin of H
! der AGad.
: The two girls uttered two screams, but {
different keys. They see enter charmir
g young man, tall, without any hump-bac
g who embraced Margaret, and placing befo
d, her basket. he says to her, Behold 20
m marriage portion
le 1t was basket of diamonds Itwas NOR
it, over the bump which bad thus arrived fir
lg Of duties.
u Sec what have carried on my sboulde
1T said the cousin. from Bombay TO HaVre,
is Offer it to that one of my cousins who wou
$ accept me with my false poverty and 7
n fcigned dcformity.'
re There was great joy in the house VIII
id as it may seem, was participated in by Mar
ID 1t is true that Marie loved her sister dear
all without detesting the diamonds.
I'll go If I see fit snarled a rebellic
70 husband. You'll see fits if you do 20 7
IS coolly replied the wife. The dear man '
last seen setting on the bars behind the ba
---~N><S% ~F|~-s~-
gas A Savannah paper, in allusion to n
nd Bremcr's having called Savannah the {
- Of gushing springs SAYS, that 'the