Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-03-07
The Runchbaek Lover.
The following is an extraordinary

Ventue OF these latter days:
A worthy man, who with his family re-
sides in the Rue de la Michodiere receiv-
ed letter from his nephew, who was at
that time trader at Hyder-Abad. The
letter terminates thus:
'Ihave received the portraits of my
cousins Mary and Margaret, whom /
have never had the pleasure of seeing,
having been since my infancy, resident
of Hyder-Abad. ! shall arrive at Havre
in the brig Quos Ego, about the first of
October, and with your consent, shall
marry my beautiful cousin Mar
The remainder of the name having been
written under the seal, had been torn off
and destroyed in opening the letter, SO
that it was impossibleto to ascertain wheth-
er the nephew had chosen Mary or Mar
garet.
A mutual coldness and jealousy now
sprung up between the sisters, who had
hitherto lived in the most affectionate har-
mony. Each believed that hers was the
name mentioned in the letter.
Eainly did the father employ all his elo-
quence to reconcile his daughters. AT
length courier arrived from Havre and
announced that his master would be in
Paris next day. The servant was over
whelmed with questions, to which he re-
piled that hih master had been ruined, and
that he was afflicted with protuberance
on the left shoulder, similar to that which
had caused all the misfortunes of Esop,
the Phrygian.
Both sisters vowed that they would re-
main maids forever, rather than wed
hunchback and pennyless cousin.
The cousin arrived. The father en-
braced him cordially, the daughters cour-
tested prcttily, and turned away their
eyes.
The father explained the accident that
had befallen the letter, and inquired of
his nephew the object of his choice.
My cousin Mary, answered the neph-
ew.
Never, never!' exclaimed Mary; I am.
satisfied with my condition, and shall not
change it,.
'Mademoiselle,' said the nephew, 4
have adopted the habits Of the country Of
which i am all but native. See the IMAM.
ners and Customs in Hyde-Abad, by Tav-
eFnier, and you will see in that country
when young mans proposals of mar
riage are rejected, he withdraws himself
from society as a useless member, and
'kilIs HIMSELF exclaimed the other sis
ter, the good hearted Margaret.
Kills himself, answered the nephew,
in the tone Of man about to commit sui
eide.
My poor cousin,' murmurs Margaret
with tears in hereyes. He has come so
far to meet death in'the bosom of his fam
ily.'
i knew continued the nephew, that
my deformity is offensive to the eye of
woman; but time can accustom even the
eye of woman to ugIiness. ] am also
aware that my position as a merchant
is not the best.
Engaged from early youth in the dia-
mond trade-the only trade carried on in
Hyder@-Abad--l have lost all Of my faith
ers property, but have gained expert
ence; I'm young, active, Industrious
these qualities are riches in themselves.
Yes, yes-huuchback and pennyless,'
murmured Mary, ia moeking aside.
Poor young man, said Margaret; and
then added also have been refused,
cousin, but you don't seem to mind that
Refused! and by whomr asked the
cousin.
why, BY yourself, in preferring my
sisfer tn me
tWell!' replied the cousin, what will
you soy if ask your father for youF
Il shall entreat my father to let MY
cousin liver
what! yon consent my pretty Marga-
ret!' exclaimed the hunchback.
TO save q relati5n's life, | cannot hes
nate moment.
sYery good, my daughter, said the
father, touched by this scene. 1 per-
ceive that romances have not spoiled you.
I have very limited income, but can
not forsake my brother son in his dis-
tress. shall keep him here as my SON.
in-law., If there is enough for three, there
is also enough for four
The cousin threw himself at Marga-
ret's feet exclaiming, You have saved
me from despair and death!
Margaret extended her hand 10 raise
her cousin; buth drew back little, when
Mary mallered these unfeeIing words:
sRfY sister has courage! as for me, I
would leave all the poor hunchbacked
cousins in the world to die.