Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-07-08
THE HUMP.BACKED COUSIN.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

Behold an extraordinary adventure of
these latter days. If it were not an extra
ordinary occurrence, one need not relate it.
A father of family who inhabited the Rue
de la Michodiere, received last summer, a
letter from his nephew, who was in the en-
ploy of Hyder Abad. The letter concluded
thus:
a have received the portraits of my two
cousins, Marie and Margaret. | have never
had the pleasure of seeing them, as | have
lived with Hyder Abad since my youth, but
| am sure that those two portraits are resem-
blances. l will arrive at Havre by the ship
Inos Ego about the first of October, and on
nv arrival | am determined to marry the
beautiful Mar
The breaking open of the letter had des-
troyed the rest of the name. The two Sis
ters united previous to this time, have COM
menced to live in misunderstanding, each of
them positive that it was the part of her
name which was torn off in the breaking of
the seal.
The father employed his eloquence in calm
ing the anger of his daughters, when SER
want sent in advance, arrives from Havre
with the evening train.
The servant, overwhelmed with questions,
replied that his master was ruined, and that
moreover, on his left shoulder, was the horrid
protuberance which had caused according to
Panude, SO many misfortunes to Hsop, the
Phrygian.
The two sisters determined, hereupon, to
remain single forever, before marrying cousin
hump backed and ruined.
AS they take oath for the thirtieth time in
twelve hours the cousin arrives His uncle
warmly embraces him, the cousins make him
polite bow and turn away their eyes.
The uncle then explains the incident of the
torn letter, and asks the matrimonial inten-
tions of his nephew.
at is my cousin Marie whom come to
marry" he replied.
"Never! never!" screamed Marie, 81 am
contented with my condition, and l will re-
main in it,"
Mademoiselle," said the nephew, 81
have adopted the customs of the country
where / have been educated. Read the Gus
toms of Hyder Abad, in Travernier. There
when young man is refused in an offer Of
marriage, he withdraws himself from society
as useless being.
"He kills himselfw exclaimed the other
sister the good Margaret.
He kills himself?" replies the nephew in
the tone of man who was about to commit
suicide.
"The poor cousin," said Margaret, weep
ing, to come from such distance to die il
the bosom of his family.
"I know" continued the nephew that
my deformity afflicts the sight Of woman
but in time the eyes of woman, becomes
habituated to all things. l know, also, that
my commercial position is not prosperous
Thrown very young in the diamond business
the only occupation of Hyder Abad, los
there all the fortune of my father; but have
acquired experience; am young active anC
industrious. These are riches in themselves
"Yes, yes, hump-backed and ruined 7
muttered Marie aside, in banteriDg tone.
Poor young mani" said Margaret, anC
she added, " my cousin, / am refused and yo,
pay no attention to it,"
"And by whom refused ~ Inquired he
cousin.
"By your choice, since you have prefere'
my sister to me-"
"Eh, bein" said the cousin, twill you &C
cept me if / ask you in my marriage from m
uncle?"
/" | will engage my father to let my cous
: in live"
"What exclaimed the hump-backed; "yo
consent my lovely Margaret, to"
"Save the life of relation Indeed
will not waver minute"
) "This is very well my daughter" said tn
uncle, affected by this scene. "Romance