The Empire County argus. [volume] (Coloma, El Dorado County, Cal.) 1853-1857, 1853-11-19
The IIump-Baclked Cousin.

The EIump-Haelkea Cousin.
Behold an extraordinary occurrence of the latter
days. If it were not an extraordinary occurrence
one need not relate it.
A father of a family inhabitng the Rue de Mi
chodicre, received last summer, letter from his
nephew, who was in the employ of Hydcr Abad.--
The letter concluded thus
Il have received the portraits Of my two cousins
Marie and Margaret. have never had the pleas
ure of seeing them, as | have lived with Hyder
Abad since my youth, but am sure that these two
portraits are rescmblances. [ will arrive at I1avre
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 destroyed
the rest of the name. 1t is impossible to tell if the
cousin asked Marie or Margaret in marriage. The
two sisters, united previous to this time, have
menced to live in MISUNDERSTANDING each of them
positive that it was the rest of her name that was
torn off in breaking the seal.
The father employed his eloquencc in calming
the anger of his daughters, when servant, sent in
advance arrives from liavre, announcing 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 more
over the horrid protubcrancc which caused
cording to Palanude, so many misfortunes to Esop
the Phrygian.
The two cousins determined to remain single for
ever, before marrying cousin hump-backed and
ruined.
AS they took this oath for the twentieth time in
twelve hours the cousin arrives. The uncle warm
ly embraced him the cousins make polite bow
and turn away their eyes. The uncle then ex-
plains the incident of the torn letter and asks the
intentions Of his nephew.
1t is my cousin Marie whom came to marry, ;
he replied.
'Never-ncvcr! screamed Marie, / am con-
tented with my condition, and shall remain in it. ;
Nal, H.
ed the customs OF the country where have been
educated. Read the customs of Hyder Abad in
Iravcmcr There, when IL young man is refused
in an offer OF marriage, he withdraws himself from
society as q useless being
He kills himself! exclaimed the good Marga-
ret
He kills himsclf!' replies the nephew, in the
tone of a man about to commit suicide.
This poor cousin, said Margaret, weeping, to
come from such distance to die in the bosom of
his family
Il know, said the nephew that my deformity
affects the sight Of women but in time the eyes Of
women become habituated to all things. | know,
Also that my commercial prospects not pros
porous. Thrown very young into the diamond bu-
siness, the only occupation Of Hyder Abad, | lost
there all the fortune OF my father, but had acqu-
red cxpcricnce-l am young active and Industrious
These arc riches in themselves.
YES, yes hump-backed and ruined, muttcrcd
Marie aside, in bantering tone.
Poor young man, said Margaret, and she adds
to %y T. cousin" "A" refused and 20" pay no ''''"'''"
And by whom refused :! enquired he
But to your cost, by you, since you prefer my
sister to nc
Eh bicn, said he, will you accept me if ask
you in marriage from my uncle
L will engage my father to let my cousin live
'What!' exclaimed the hump-back do you
consent my lovely Margaret. to
Save the life of relative Indeed I'll not wa
YER q moment.
This is very well ofmy daughter, said the un-
Gle affected by the scene, 'Remonstrances have
not spoiled you | have a very small income but
| ought not to abandon the son of my brother, in
misfortune. | will keep him here as a kindred, for
where there is enough for three, there is for four
The cousin threw himself at Margaret's feet say
ing;
You have saved the life of an unfortunate man.
Marie muttered to herself:
My sister has courage. As for me- | would let
hump backed cousins die
Uncle, said tAc young man, allow me to make
a slight toilette before breakfast
He pressed Alargarets hand bowed to Marie,
and left to change his attire,
The uncle and his daughters were at the table,
and awaited their guest.
The servant announced the cousin of IIyder Abad
The two girls uttered two screams but on differ
cnt keys They enter a charming young man,
tall, without any hump back, who embraced Mar
garet, and placing before her basket, says
Behold your marriage portion,
1t was Il basket of diamonds. II was moreover,
the hump, which had thus arrived free ofduties.
Sec what have carried on my shoulder said
the cousin from Bombay to Hayre, to offer it to
that one of my cousins who would accept me with
my false poverty and feigned defornity'
There was great joy in the house, which, strange
itmay seem, was participated in by Marie. 1t is
testing the diamonds.