New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-23
The Hunchback Lover.

The Hunchback Lover.
The following is an extraordinary adventure OF
these latter days: -.
A worthy man, who, with his family, resides in the
Rue de la Mchodiere, received letter from his ne
phew, who was at that time trader at Hyder-Abad.
The letter terminates thus:
and Margaret whom have never bad the pleasure OF
seeing having been, since my infancy, resident OF
Hyder.Abad. | shall arrive at Havre in the brig
Qios Ego about the first OF October, and, with your
consent, shall marry my beautiful cousin Mar
The remainder of the name having been written I'M
der the seal had been torn of and destroyed in open
ing the letter. that it was impossible to ascertain
whether the nephew had chosen Mary or Margaret.
A mutual GOODNESS and jealousy now sprung up be-
tween the sisters who had hitherto lived in the most
afiectionate harmony. Each believed that hers was
the name mentioned in the letter.
Vainy did the father employ all his eioquence 70
reconcile his daughters. At length courier arrived
from Hayre and announced that his master would be
in Paris next day. The servant was overwhelmed
with questions, to which he replied that his master
had been ruined and that ne was atiiicted WIN pro
tuberance on tine left shoulder, similar to that which
had caused all the misortunes of Esop, the Phrygan.
Both sisters vowed that they would remain maids
forever, rather than wed hunchback and pennyless
| cousin. s@t
The cousin arrived. The father embraced him
cordially, the daughters courtesied prettiy, and
| turned away their eyes.
The father explained the accident that had befalien
opJSoe VI
/ his choice.
"My cousin Mary answered the nephew.
| "Neyer, never y exclaimed Mary; 81 am satisfied
with my condition and shall not change it"
| Mademoselle," said the nephew, have adopted
the habits Of the country of which am all but
native. Read the " Manners and Customs in Hyder-
Abad, by Taverner, and you will see in that coun-
try, when young mans proposals OF marriage are
less member, and
/ Kills hinself!'' exclaimed the other sister, the
good hearted Margaret.
| "Kills himself, answered the nephew, IN the tone
of man about to commit suicide.
"My poor cousin" murmurs Margaret, with tears
in her eyes. He has come SO far to meet death in
the bosom of his family"
al know continued the nephew, that my defor-
nifty is offensive to the eye Of woman but time can
accustom even the eye OF woman to ugliness. l am
also that my position as merchant Is not the
best.
Engaged from early youth in the diamond trade
the only trade carried on in Hyder Abad-l have
lost all my fathers property, but have gained expe
rience l am young, active industrious quail
tiles are riches in themselves s.l
ayes, yes-hunchbacked and pennlless, murmuree
Mary, in a hooking aside.
"Poor young man." said Margaret; and ther
added also have been refused cousin, but yot
> don't seem to mind that"
9 Refused and by whom!" asked the cousin.
1 "Why, by YOURSELF in preferrng my sister t.
q me-
2 "Wel!' replied the cousin, " what will you sa
= II L ask your ldlueT YOU
81 shall entreat my father to let my cousin live
i "What you consent, my pretty Margaret!
s exclaimed the hunchback.
s ITO save relations life, cannot hesitate mt
l. ment.' .
II "yery good, my daughter said the father, toucl
= ed by this perceive that romances have M
!. spoiled you have very limited income, but cal
d not forsake my brothers son in mis- distress: sha
keep him here as my son-in Jaw. If there is enoug
Is for three, there is also enough for four"
Of The cousin threw himself at Margarets feet, e.
E. claiming " You have saved me from despair an
u death y ~.
IN Margaret extended her hand to raise her cousin
~ both drew back little, when Mary muttered the
III unfeeing words:
III my sister has courage! as for me, 1 would lea
ut all the poor hunchbacked cousins in the world to die
ia "Uncler said the nephew, with your permlssl
"a shall retire to arrange my toilette little oeio
oy breakfast
. He kissed Margaret's hand, bowed to Mary, a
withdrew to change his travelling dress.
The uncle and his two daughters placed themse'
at the table, and waited the guest, who was soon
~, nounced by the servant.
Both sisters uttered cry of surprise, but in diff
CIV ent keys They behed charming young gentlen
ere of slender and Symmetrical form no hunch) enter
'in- room. He advanced and embraced Margaret X
isss ing before her beautiful basket, he said:
.nu There is your DOVER"
ass The basket was filled with diamonds!
tnu It is also the bunch which has deceived the
viii tom-house officers and arrived here free OF 81
~ This added the nephew, is what have carried
M my shoulders from Bombay to Havre, for the purl
"u of offering it to the fair cousin who would be viii
tho to accept me with my pretended poverty and
tho fornty"
inc This advertisement occasoned general joy, wi
H. was even shared by Mary True tbs, that Mary IL
1eS her sister without hating the diamonds.