Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-12-07

/ "'~'s &t40 s<PR'tita 40 ~ VooStf VI
nothing unpleasant
"Whe rever | went. / could zee
that my cousin was ashamed of his
tall cousin. Now l knew in my soul
that l was good for something. |
had the consciousness OF intellect. no
way inferior to his own. At home
was famous as Yankee story teller,
but having fear of the minister's SUI
perior attainments always before my
eyes, had never allowed him to see
what could do. This false timidity
was, however. slowly wearing away
l began to feel anxious TO resent my
cousins officiousness. and daily grew
stronger in my determination to do so.
[ noticed his department when he lit
tie thought Of it, his quick step ahead
so as TO seem alone when he met a
fashionable lady; his little maneuvres
to slip in out of church by himself; his
careful avoidance of all mention OF
my name to others; and | thought to
myself, one day I'll teach youa lesson
young man, ifsyou are a minister
"How it was | knew not, but by
some mismanagement, / suppose. in
vitations were sent to us to attend a
large dinner party. given in honor OF
some distinguished divine, then crea-
ting quite an excitement in the city,
Ny relative looked estounded when he
found l resolved to go, and tried TO
intimidate me by hinting at the fash
ionable character Of the entertainment
AT last. finding me resolute, he said,
with bland smile:
you had better then let me intro.
duce you as my cousin from the
country and as you are not initiated
into the arts and mysteries of eti-
quette, and therefore excuse your
greenness."
"Thark you for nothing" thought
l, and consented.
al went to the party. There is nc
mistake about it, was at first abash
ed in the company of so mnch dignity
and beauty; l Irembled for myself
My cousin sat opposite to me. and by
his side lovely girl robed in blue
who looked to me the nearest to an an,
gel that it was possible to imagine. ]
soon saw that my heart had been
travelling in that direction; he was de-
voted to her, although he kept an eye
ON poor me. to see that his cousin
from the country did him glaring dis
credit.
Il heard him address her as Miss
Harriet, and once in filling her glass
from the chrystal pitcher near by, hs
overrun il. and the fluid mingled with
meat and gravy on the young lady''
plate.
"Ahap' thought l, glancing at hin
slyly, "cousin f.om the country"
presently / noticed another mis-
hap. A reverend and sent-mindec
looking gentleman at my right under
took to carve chicken. BY som,
awkwardness, a small bone flew from
the edge of his knife, and slap it wen
! against the nose of lady opposite
scattering her face with gravy. The
lady turned red-the gentleman apol
ogized, the company seemed NOR,
) and more serious, as company always
I does, when it restrains itself from I
hearty laugh, and l looked strait a
my friend across the table, saying, "a
plain as eyes could say it, "aha! cous
in from the country"
"And that was not the end Of tht
7 chapter. for my cousin, attempting t
cut butter, which as ii was an unusu
] ally warm winter day had ice upor
it. unfortunately knocked the frozcI
element on the table. and of all the
efforts l ever saw put forth to catch ;
slippery article, those he made in th'
: matter of securing that ice was th'
: most ridiculous.
First he laid siege with knife ant
fork, but 1t danced about like ice-be
witched polka, waltzt and redowl
7 step. hopping now against Miss Har
> riet's plate, gliding about among bo
. Vegetables. and sliding under mea
q dishes, until its capture became
: matter of stubborn principal.
. Fortunately, one of the servant
hurried to bis help with large spoon
and in using that my cousins elbo'
came in contact with little glas
i dish filed with pickles. and away
+ spun over on Miss Harriet's lap, an
l ice followed after. o. with what gus
e toll could have shouted at that mo
b menL. "cousin from the country" bu
q | pilied the blushing divine, and con
: tented myself with an inward chuckle
!, "By and by. things went on NOR
e smoothly. and We all got merry owe
IS the desert. l assure you, minister
= can enjoy themselves as well as tn
s rest of us; and why pray should the
II not? One after another told som
a amusing anecdoie, until the smoot
= slick visages fairly shone with goo
II humor. / forgot my awkwardnrss-
'i my cousin-Miss Hsrriet--and settin
= down my glass, began with comi
= air:
q "Once upon a time there was a
n old farmer lived away out in The wood
in old Yarmouth State
y my strong nascal accent immed
. ately attracted attention Instant
a. there was silence, every eye was fixe
J. upon me with wondering yet r,
a spectful attention.
ss "Ahem!' said my cousin. vehement
ly turning purple up to his hair, an
'e fixing on me his handsome eyes.
= only needed that glance to confirm m
re wavering resolution; if had lelt ira
st full, all traces of timidity were banisi
IL ed now, and in the midst of expressi,
n. smiles and some little titIering,
er pushed on with my story. 1t worl
ed like magic Never before had
be- spoken before such an audeuce. K,
L. cry little while / could Sc, by the tul
IS, Of his head and certain little NOV,
/ ments, that my cousin was apolosi,
n e.. ...a - NJ. A