The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-15

L
a cousin for a husband, and above all, red
hair husband, whether he be cousin or not
But how did ithappen that my papa made such
an odd mistake?'' ..s..-.a a -.s.--... ....y
s"Well the fact is, the whole thing was a
mistake from the beginning, and was attributa-
BILE to an advertisementin in the morning paper. y
I-5a"Your father wanted a book keeper and ad-
vertised. | saw, the advertisement, and ap-
piled directly for the situation. Before stating
my business introduced myself as John Pc
ters, whereupon your father forgetting their
might be another John Peters in the world,
bundled me into An omnibus, and hurried me
here before could offer an explanation. :-f..
"How odd?" exclaimed Bella "And you
are not my cousin then, after all?''-'but
rather like you, and am not little pleased with
the adventure, because we can both laugh to-
gether over fathers mistake. And the absent
John Peters red hair d.. ..r.n.r s..g
But must explain the matter immediate
y though I dislike the idea of giving you up
to the absent John Peters, answered our hero,
with the same winning smile, respectfully as
you have natural antipathy to cousins with
red hair" .... ....=..-. A.,
II don't see the use in explaining. Suppo-
sing we both keep quit and let it 60 for grant
ed that we are cousins-what harm can there
be in it?'' nfil r.t.r-fJ -i3 #-# -r~, aIa 5-tmz
"And then, supposing that he thinking me
cousin John should insist on our being married
before the genuine John Peters comes from
Baltimore. '~.'A @N +.'D 2"" %5~
''Oh it would be delightful! l do so hate
to marry my cousin John, besides | like you a
thousand times better. There isn't the least
romance in marrying ones cousin, especially
such cousin as John Peters, Of Baltimore
Z Here Bella laid her pretty white hand on his
arm and said: .-0s --#-5. s5ta@ g.5.7' r..
But you don't care for me; of course you
wouldn't like to be married to please me,
don't blame you either, for would not marry
my cousin John if | could help it, -
"On the contrary" cried John, claspng the
little hand warmly, II would give the world
for that happy privileye.''
Then you must promise me to keep still
and let the matter rest as it is You will do it
won't you?" s. a.... .s...
Most certainly" answered John, ''if it
plcascs YOU
On his return, and to his no little delight,
Mr. Meirs found Bella deeply interested in her
cousin John. Thought that you would come
round" said he "These girls are always very
perverse when their lovers are out of sight, but
mighty warm hearted and agreeable when they
have got together. Howbeit, fancy there is
a slight vein of duplicity in the best of them,
[ do s.#
"Oh, no, papa, you should not be so hasty
in your conclusions, for haven't told you all
along that cousin Johns hair was red, and chat
my principal objection was based upon that
fact. But you see there is slight mistake
somewhere, for his hair (pointing to the coun-
terfeit cousins is quite dark and glossy.
must really confess papa, that like John very
much; a great deal better than | expected.
do indeed" sss#.=
''Then," said Mr. Meirs exutingly, 'f ]
were in Johns place, | would strike while the
iron is hot"
There is nothing gained by delays, and 6
week hence you might be as far off the handle
as you were a week ago.
"Oh, no | am not so tickle; but will leave
the whole matter with you and John"
"There Bella, you talk like a sensible girl, ,
cried Mr.. Mers;; Il knew you would like
your resolution There is nothing so rare ir
the world as a sensible girl at your time o
life. John is no fop nor profigate.. He vii
make you a good husband; will look after youl
interests, and l think will we worthy of you
AS for the wedding, John, it shall be entirely
left to you. Bella is willing and can see
nothing to prevent its taking place right away
81 think whatever you think proper;' said
John. Any arrangement agreeable to you
will be equally SO to me. l have great re-
spect and affection for Miss Mers, and if | can
be SO far forgiven for my presumption, can
safely say, that to be the husband of youl
daughter this moment or at any future time,
would be to me the choicest gift of heaven"
Very sensible remarks said Mr.. Meirs
joyfully, and as you are obliging enough to
leave the matter to my direction | shall say a
week from Friday, that being the day on which
had first anticipated your coming. This will
give Bella ample time for all necessary prepar-
ations, and you, also, to apprlse your father
and such other friends from Baltimore, as you
propose to invte.''
'1f | might be allowed my preference in this
respect answered our hero, glancing at Bel
la for encouragement, Il would much rather
notAmention it to my father and friends till af-
forwards, and thus give them An agreeable sur
prise. In fact, before saw you this morning
had not even dreamed of such sudden good
fortune"
s'And besides,'' interposed Bella, "youl
father might not feel much like journeying SC
soon after an attack of gout. As for me,
would much prefer a quiet wedding, with only
a few friends present. Besides 1would great
deal rather give the money away which would
be spent on such an occasion, to some of the
poor families who are starving in this city,
"Nobly spoken" cried Mr.. Meirs, with en-
thusiasm, and glancing at Bella with world
of pride and affection: ''Noblyg spoken, my
daughter. With such prudence and such very
charitable feelings, you will make your cousin
John a pattern Of wife. heartily agree with
you IN this respect, and you shall have it all
your ownway." Vi. l.. N.r-..-'.. -'...
Our hero, who in truth, independent of her
charms of person, had looked upon Bella as
somewhat frivolous, was equally charmed by
her remark; and had the occasion warranted,
would have pressed kiss ofapprobation upon
her lips. sss 7sg..F r6s.a Il. 81 e.. Z.
During the time which elapsed between this
and the day set for the marriage Of bis daugh-
ter, Mr. Meirs seemed overhowed with good
humor and enjoyment. He made several pre-.
sents to the poor of his acquaintance, and even