The weekly ledger., 1857-09-26
COUSIN BEN.
THE GOOD DEED REWARDED.

"VlsltorSV exclaimed Kate Bennett, I'M
patiently, as she laid aside the book she had
been reading, and in which she had been
deeply interested, and took the cards which
the servant presented.
Dear me, how provoking! Just as am
in the most exciting part of the story-and
that pert, disagreeable Emily Archer, too"
she added, reading one of the cards. "Who
else, | wonder?"
Was there magic in that simple bit of paste
board, inscribed with only two words, Rich
ard Warren? 1t would almost seem so, so
instantaneous did her countenance change
The frowl that disfgured her beautiful brow
disappeared, her eyes sparked, and, without
another thought of the book, she hastily as
sured herself. by glance in the mirror, that
her toilet was unexceptionable and then left
the room.
Al she entered the drawing room and greet
ed her guests, with all the grace and elegance
of manner for which she was distinguished,
Emily Archer surveyed her with one rapid
critical glance; but dress, as well as manner,
was faultess
1t must be confessed that Kate Bennett
enters room like queen she thought, with
a pang of envy and jealousy as in Richard
Warren's face she read distinguished admira-
tion of the lovely girl before him.
What casual observer, who had marked
the meeting of these two ladies', would have
dreamed that under all their outward friend
ship, each hated the other with her whole
heart? Yet so it was Kate and Emily
were rival bellies, and their claims to admra-
tion were so equally balanced, that it requir-
ed no little exertion on either side to gain the
ascendency and be acknowledged the glorious
victor.
If Kate, with her classical features, queen
ly dignity, elegant figure and exquisite taste,
at first sight threw her rival in the shade,
/ Emily's piquant style and sprightly conyersa-
tion were by many preferred to kate's beau
| ty. 1t was impossible to decide which was
| the loveliest-each had her adherents and
admirers-but as they were equally numer-
Gus it seemed probable that the season would
draw to a close without the all-important de-
csion of question, which had been par ex-
cellence the belle.
Just at this time Richard Warren returned
/ from Europe. The arrival OF so undeniably
/ elegant, handsome and wealthy gentleman,
was an event; all the fashionable world was
in hutter, and the rivals saw at once that
the important epoch had arrived. She whose
claims he advocated whom he favored with
his admiration, would at once stand upon the
preearious pinnacle of belleship, though their
tactics were entirely different
Emily brought to bear upon him the bat
teries of her sprightly wit, while Kate adroit-
ly laid the mine of apparently queenly indif-
ference As yet, although it was evident
that Richard admired them both, his prefer
ence was not known-and perhaps he hardly
knew himself which one he thought the most
charming.
But during this exposition Of the claims Of
the rivals lively conversation had been 60
ing on The last new novel and the opera
had been discussed, as well as some of their
mutual friends; and in the midst of some
wickedy witty remarks of Emily upon a
would-be fashionable lady, loud voice was
heard in the hall 1t came nearer the door,
and the words could be very distinctly under
stood
:" You no-brained impudent jackanapes I'll
teach you manners; I'll make you laugh on
tother side of your mouth"
The door was flung open, and in walked a
tall, athletic young man, whose really fine
form was disguised in an ill-ftting suit, of ev-
idently domestic manufacture, and stood for a
moment awkwardly looking around him; then
hastily approaching Kate, he flung his arms
around her, and gave her loud smack on the
cheek.
She withdrew herself quickly and haugh-
tily from his embrace.
" SrP said she, with freezing dignity.
La! don't you know who bep exclaimed
the new conner, in no wise Disconnected
wall, now, | do actually believe you've for
got me. Don't yer know yer cousin Benz
Y You see don't like farmin' no how you can
fix it, so quit that and come to the city
Jim Simpson was down to our place, and he's
doin fust rate here He said it was dread
ful hard to get start in the city, but CESS
/ amt goin to slump through where he gets
aheadn
Kate, at the commencement of this speech
had alternately blushed and paled for she was
deeply mortified that Richard Warren and
Emily Archer should have been witnesses of
such scene. She caught triumphat glance
from Emily. 1t completely restored her
pride.
With all the grace of which she was mis-
tress, she turned to the new conner and cou-
sin
You must excuse me, cousin Ben, had
forgotten you. A few years make a change,