The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-05-19
MISCELLAN n E0US.
THE Cousins.

One OF the best stories which we have
lately read is entitled, ,-"TnE COUSINS: a
CouiitIu 7dle." II is from the chasie pen
OF Mrs Milford, an English aulhoress Of
considerable reputation. The whole is too
long for one paper, and il j, 4 s,ory which
il will not do to divide. The first half OF
the story, like the larger portion OF the first
volume of some OF SCOTS novels, Is mere
" introductory TO what follows. So we
will sum up the PREDATORY part in few
words, and then give the denOuement in
Miss Miiiurd's own beautiful language.
LAWYER Molesworlh was rich landlord
of Cranley, the native town OF Miss Milford.
He had Two daughters, 10 whom his pleas
ant house owed It's chief attraction. Agnes
was beautiful woman Jessy was pref
ty girl. The fond father intended lha, Jessy
should marry poor relation, one Charles
WOOdiord. Charles had been brought up
by his uncle's Kindness, aud had recently
returned Into the family from great office
in London. Charles was 20 be the imme-
daie par,ner;and eventual successor 10 the
great and flourishing business Of his bene-
factor, whose regard seemed fully justified
by the excellent conduct and remarkable
talents Olihe orphan nephew. Agnes, who
secretly entertained an affection Tor Charles,
was destined by her father for young bar
onei who had lately been much at the
house.
Blu, in the affairs Of love, as Of all others,
(says Miss Milford, man is born to disap-
poin,ments al komme propose, ct Dieu
dispose" is never iruer than in the great
matter ui mairimony. So found poor Mr..
Nlolesworth. who-Jessy having arrived a,
the age OF eighleen, aud Charles at that of
two and ,wenty-otfered his pretty daugh.
ter, AMI the lucrative partnership 10 his
pennless relation, aud was peirifed with
as,onishment aud indignation 10 find the
connection very respectfully bu, very firm
ly declined. The young man was very
much distressed aud agilaied; he had the
highes, respect for Miss Je,sy; but he
could not marry her-he loved ano,herl-
And then he poured forth confidence as
unexpected as il was undesired by his in.
censed patron, who lefl him in undimin.
ished wrath aud increased perpleSi,y.
This interview had taken place immedi-
aiely after breakfast, and when the con.
ference was ended, the provoked father
sOush, bis daughters, who, happily uncon-
scious OF all that occurred, were amusing
themselves in their splendid conservatory
"a scene always rs becoming as il is agree
able 10 youth aud beauty. Jessy was hu,,ing
abGu, ike butterfly among the fragrant,
orange trees aud bright geraniums; Agnes
was standing under superb fuschia that
hung over large marble basin-her form
aud attitude, her white dress. and The class
ical arrangement, Of her dark hair, giving
her the look of some nymph or naiad. a
rare relic oil GTecian art. Jessy was pratt
ling saily, rs she wandered about, OF n
concert they had attended the evening be-
fore at the county town.
al hate concerts" said the pretty little
fin. .To sit Dol, upright OH hard bench
!or four hours, between the same four peo-
pie, without the possibility OF moving or
speakin. TO anybody, or anybody's getting
to US. Oh, how iiresome il is!"
al saw Sir Edmund trying 10 slide through
the crowd 10 reach you,h said Agnes, liz.
tie archly; "his presence would, perhaps,
have miligaied the evil. But the barrcade
was too complete; he was forced 10 rc.
treat. without accomplishing his object"
AYES, / assure you, he thought il very
tiresome; he told me so when we were
coming out. And then the musicw pur.
sued Jessy! "ihe noise ,ha, they called mu-
sic! Sir Edmund says he likes no music
except my guitar, or Aule on the wafer !;
and like none except your playing on the
organ, and singing Handel on n Sunday
evening, or Charles Woodford's reading
Milton and bits Of Hamlet"
ado you call that musicr' asked Agnes,
laughing. "Ant yet" continued she, I'll,
is most truly so, with his rich Pasta like
voice, and his fine sense Of sound and TO
you, who do not greatly love poetry for its
own sake, j, is, doubtless. pleasure much
resembling in kind that of hearing the
most thrilling Of melodies on the mobiles, Of
instruments. myself have felt such n
qualification in hearing that voice reciie the
verses Of Homer or SophJcles in the origi-
nal Greek. Charles Woodiord's reading is
music"
at is music which you are neither OF
likely 10 hear again. interrupted Mr..
Molesworih advancing suddenly towards
them "for he has been ungra,eful, and
J have discarded him."