The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-03-18

I now wondered what my conslns were
like, which kept me awake consider
able time, in spite of my efforts to COM
pose myself to sleep, for fear of being
late in the morning. But this I need
not have feared, for at an early hour my
new acquaintance beat tattoo at Essi
door that was sufficient to have awaken
ed the dead, when I jumped out of bed
and dressed myself in great haste, and
hurried down stairs to retrieve my
character.
To my great relief neither of my
cousins was yet in the sitting room, so 1
had time to look about me; first of all
1 gazed at the portrait of a military
man, whose strongly marked features
at once convinced me he was the cousin
whose energetic character 1 had so often
heard my father commend. I concluded
from the inspection that my respected
cousin must be martinez and severe
disciplinarian, and began sincerely to
pity his daughters, unless indeed they
were two gaunt grenadiers, as 1 now ex-
pected them to turn out, having in
herited their papa's obstinacy and ag-
gressiveness.
Twas in the middle of these refec-
tions when my fair cousins entered, and
welcomed me with frank cordiality.-
They appeared to me like two little
angels, not only from their extreme pret-
tiness, but for their graces of manner,
amiability and sprightliness. They were
besides, small and slender, land possess
ed the great advantage, for sisters, of
being of different style of beauty
Henriette, the eldest, had dark hair, and
certain energy never bordering on
harshDess in the expression of her
countenance; while Sophie, who was
fair haired, wore an expression of gentle
sweetness-but both were gay and un-
restrained. ~ &.
Having found me contemplating the
colonel's portrait, they FASTENED to say
that they could only introduce me, for
the present, to their papa's, counterfeit,
as urgent business had taken him away
the day before, aad he would not be
back before the evening. I felt I did
not care if he never came back but L
was pleased to- find they did not seem to
harbor any resentment about my delay,
nor to hint as the corporal had done,
that the colonel had gone away because
he had given me up. Icould not, howev-
er, resist testing the matter by express
ing the hope that their father had not
thought me rude, while 1 muttered
something about delays on the road.
You must be punctual, if you wish
to please papa" said Henriette, laugh
ing.
1 felt an incipient wish to please him,
without accounting for it myself; and
at that moment it occurred to me that
decision of character might be acquired
if one had but the will to do it.
(Which do you like best, cousin,
Mozart or Rossini ?" asked Henriette,
when we began talking of general sub
jects during breakfast. ... ..
I was taken aback. ..-..
"Why, COUSIN" began, really the
question is one that requires considera-
tion."
Perhaps you don't like music?" OBJ
served Sophie.
adore it, on the contrary, and
have studied it with great delight" said
I.
"Then how is it possible not to know
your own mind Pr inquired Henriette.-
d" I am well aware that prefer Rossini,
and that Sophie likes Mozart best; while
papa cares for nothing but military mu
sic But we each know our own opin-
ion."
I acknowledged, laughingly, that she
was right, while inwardly felt serious
ly vexed, for the first time, at my own
infrmity.
The morning passed away quickly and
delightfully."-, what with music and walk
through the grounds. At last my COM
panions said, "L Let us return to the
house, for it is within quarter of an
hour of our dinner time"
How do you know that, fair cousins,
without consulting your watches ?".said
Because we see papa now riding
down the hill," said Henriette. He
was to be here at five minutes to two;
and as it will take him ten minutes to
reach home, we know it must be quar-
ter to two."7s ,...e - T. rassss.s s-..
Why, he's as good as clock" I
exclaimed, laughing. I sss za.szsT.I
I was now presented to the formida-
bic colonel, who, in spite of his sunburnt
and strongly marked features, and COM
manding voice, seem to have elements of
kindness in him, after all. There SEEM
ed to be a great mutual affection between
himself and his daughters; and as Hen
riette kept his house-he being wild
ower-he showed a pleasing Difference
to her household arrangements-saying
that well understood decipline kept both
the army and society together, and that in