Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-06-22

plump shoulder to any surgeon. Four chaises
arrived, and intelligence that coach would
be ready at the next stage to take the passen-
gers to their journeys end. Into and on, and
all round about these four chaises were packed
the passengers and their luggage. Mr.. Leslie
contrived that himself, the Quakeress, and his
new patient, should be the sole occupiers Of
one of the vehicles-a luxury under the cir
cumstances
where are my bandboxes 2 inquired the
proprietrix thereof, forgetting her pains in her
apparently ruling passion.
Here they are, ma am, quite safe took
care of that, said the unfeeling Jehu, present
ing six flattened little articles, looking like
blue pancakes. They've been knocked down
to you, maam, at the upset price. Remem-
Der the coachman, ma a'am.'
Don't be impertinent, SIR said the sur
geon, or we may remember you in way
that may force you to refund your perquisites
for the last twelve months to repair damages
OF. this days carelessness.'
Mr.. Leslie now discovered that his patient
was going to Chestnut-tree Cottage, just in the
suburbs of the town where he resided, and that
the Quakeress was to be set down few doors
from his own house so, finding their destina-
tions alike, and their little party very agreea-
bic, they resolved to forsake the hghtier, and
complete the journey, only some fifteen miles
further, per chaise.
A pleasant acquaintance sprang up during
those fifteen miles the Quakeress, on alight-
ing, saying, in her own simple phraseology :
will call to ask after thee at Chestnut-tree
Cottage and Chestnut-tree Cottage promis-
ing to return the compliment, by dropping in
at Jonathan Stevens, hosier.
The chaise now entered the pretty avenue,
shaded by trees in full leaf, where, almost
smothered in roses and woodbine, was situated
Chestnut-tree Cottage. Two or three curly
headed little urchins, who were wheeling their
miniature wagons and barrows round the gar
den, on hearing the rumble of the chaise,
made short cut over the mignionette and ver-
bena beds to the garden gate.
Hurrah hurrah Cousin Lettyr Cousin
Lettyn shouted the children, clapping their
hands in an ecstacy Of delight as the chaise
stopped, and Chestnut-tree Cottage poured
forth all its inmates to welcome Cousin Lefty.
What profusion Of questions then ensued
How are you, cousin Letty!'
What's the matter, cousin Letty,'
Have you brought me my new drum!'
'And me my magic-lantern !-and, above
all, the rickety-ticks and star lights for the
kings birth-day!'
Poor cousin Lefty! she seemed like good
ly city about to be sacked. The surprise of
the family, however, on finding she was ac-
companied by Mr., Leslie-for he had insisted
on seeing her in safety TO the cottage-caused
some cessation to the confusion of tongues
The details of the coach accident interested
every one Mr. Leslie promising to call on
the following day, and hoping that the bruise
would prove but slight annoyance, took
cordial leave of cousin Lefty.
And now. gentle reader, we must have cour-
age and confess truth which will be sympa-
thized via. according to thine own age and
condition cousin Lefty was thirty-fve and
unmarried but then she was such a COSY
looking woman, neither too tall nor too short.
nor too stout nor too slim-with beaming,
plump, contented face-that people at a ven
tnre always addressed her as Mrs, never
dreaming that such desirable, comfortable
sort of person should have been overlooked
by the men, who have generally sel6shness
enough 10 appropriate to themselves all that is
worth having; but so it was and cousin Let
ty, who, moreover, had money, the interest of
which brought her in four hundred pounds
year, seemed destined to lead life of single
blessedness,
her only relation, her cousin, John Middleton,
who, with his wife and family, were residing
for the summer months at Chestnut-tree Cot
tage on the coast of Cumberland. Mr.. Mid
dletpn had very charming daughter of nine
teen-Mary Middletpn-an especial favorite
Of cousin Lefty, TO whom it was supposed she
would leave her money-and quite regiment
of infantry. Mrs. Middleton was an easy,
good-hearted wife and mother; and the whole
establishment went on in a very nice, noisy
natural sort Of a manner. Cousin Lefty SEEM
ed to be in her element amongst children she
would talk to them, walk with them, sing for
them, do anything TO please them; and the
result of course was that she was by far the
most popular parsonage at ChcstRutrtree cot-
tage.
The dilapidated bandboxes were now pro-
duced, and there lay the cause of all cousin
Letty's anxiety regarding those ill-used arti-
cles. They had been filled with toys for the
children. Alas the drum was beaten as fiat
as tambourlne, and all the wind instruments
flies, fageolets, and trumpets-had breathed
their last. The only box that had escaped
was that containing cousin Letty's new bonnet.
The children, however, were consoled by
promises OF taking them into town the follow
ing day, to supply the places Of the broken
toys
Lefty was disappointed at the absence Of
her favorite, Mary Middleton, who had been
on a visit to the lakes with some friends for
tha laet forfnioht h,t hoJ or,,o;oto5 a., rotnrn