The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-02-15
THE HUMPED-BACKED COUSIN.

traordinary occurrence, one need not re-
late it:
A father of a family inhabiting the
Rue de la Michordiere, received last sum-
mcr, a letter from his nephew, who was
in the employ Of Hyder Abad. The'let.
ter concluded thus . al8-L
Il have received the portraits of my
wocousins. Marie and Margaret. lhaye
never had the pleasure of seeing them,
as l have lived with Hyder Ahad since
my youth, but am sure that those two
portraits are resemblances. will arrive
at Havre by the ship inos Ego, about the
first of October, and on my arrival, am
determined to marry the beautiful Mar
The breaking open Of the letter had
destroyed the rest Of the name. 1t was
impossible to tell if the cousin had asked
Maria or Margaret in marriage. The
two sisters united previous to this time,
have commenced to live in misunderstand-
ings, each of them positive that it is the
part Of her namr which was torn off in
breaking the seal. ...
The father employed his eloquence in
calming the anger of bis daughters, when
a servant, sent in advance, arrives from
Hayre, announcing that his master went
to Paris with the evening train.
The servant was overwhelmed with
questions, replied that his master was ru
med and that he had moreover, on his
left shoulder, the horrid protuberance
which had caused, according to Pianude,
SO many misfor.unes, TO Esop, the Phry-
gian. ... ...
The two cousins determined, hereupon,
to remain single forever, before marrying
a cousin, hump-backed and ruined.
As they take this oath for the thirtieth
time in twelve hours the cousin arrives
His uncle warmly embraces him, the Cous-
ins make polite bow, and turn away
their eyes. ....
The uncle then explains the incident of
the torn letter, and asks the matrimonial
intentions of his nephew.
"It is my cousin Maria whom come
to marry, he replied.
"Never never y screamed Maria
l am contented with my condition, and l
will remain in it,
"Mademoiselle,' said the nephew, 81
have adopted the customs Of the country
where have been educated. Read the
customs of Hyder Abed, in Trayernier.
There when young man is refused an
offer of marriage, he withdraws himself
from society as a useless being:
'IIe kills himself!' exclaimed the 9TH
er sister, the good Margaret.
Hckills himself!' replies the nephew,in
the tone ola man aboutto commit suicide.
"The poor cousin" said Margaret,
weeping. "to come such distance to die
in the bosom of his family.
81 know continued the nephew, "that
my deformity aff1icts the sight of wo-
man, butin time the eyes of woman be-
comes habituated to all things. I know,
also, that my commercial business is not
prosperous. Thrown very young into
the diamond business, the only occupa.
ton of Hyder Abad, | lost there all the
fortune of my father but | have acquir-
ed experience l am young, active and
industrious. These are riches in them.
selves"
ayes, yes, hump backed and ruined u
muttered Maria, in bantering tone.
"Poor young mani said Margaret,
and she adds, "my cousin, l am refused,
and you pay no attention to it "
"And by whom refused p inquired
her cousin.
"But to your cost, by you, since you
have preferred my sister to me.
"Eh, bien = said the cousin, twill you
accept me, if | ask you in marriage from
my uncle ?" .
al will engage my father to let my cOus
in live."
"What p exclaimed the hump backed
'you consent. my lovely Margaret to
"Sa the life of relative ! Indeed.
will not waver a minute
"ThiS is very well, my daughter" said
the uncle, affected by the scene. "Ro'
mances have a very small income, but
ought not to abandon the son ofmy broth
er in misfortune. will keep him here a:
kindred, for where there is enough fol
three there is enough for four"
The cousin threw himself at Marga
ret's feet, saying:
"You have saved an unfortunate mar
from destruction and death.
At little distance, Maria muttered tc
herself;
"My sister has courage. As for me,
would let all hump backed cousins die
Uncle" said the young man, "alloW
me to make slight toilet before breakfast.
He pressed Margarets hand, bowed tc
Maria, q left to change his travelling attire
The uncle and his daughters were a
the table and awaited their fourth guest
The servant announced the cousin o
Hyder Abad.
The two girls uttered two screams bu
on different keys.
They see enter a charming young MAJ
tall, without any hump back, who EN-
braces Margaret, and placing before he1
basket, he says to her:
"Behold your marriage portion"
1t was a basket full of diamonds. II
was, moreover, the hump, which had thus
arrived free of duties. :,
"See what | have carried on my shoul-
ders" said the cousin, from Bombay to
Hayre, to offer it to that one of my cous'
| i. .,1J occaY,t mo with NV lee