Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-07-09
Cousin Ben or the Good Deed Rewarded


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 l
am i'll 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 pastcboard, inscribed with only two
words. Richard Wawen?' 1t would
almost seem SO, so instantaneous did her
countenance change-The frown that
disfgured her beautiful brow disappear
ed, her eyes sparkled, and without an
other thought of the book, she hastily
assured herself by glance at the mir
ror, that her toilet was unexceptionable,
and left the room.
AS she entered the drawing-room, and
greeted her guests with all that grace
and elegance of manner toe which she
was distinguished, Emily Archer sur
yeyed her with one rapid. tical glance;
but dress, as well as manlbr, was fault
less.
1T must be confessed that Kate Ben
net enters the room like queen she
thought, with pang of envy and ieal-
ousy, as i'll Richard Warren's face she
read undisguised admiration of the love
! ly girl before them.
! What casual observer, who had mark
ed the meeting ofthose two ladies, wo' d
have dreamed that, under all their out
ward friendliness, each hated the other
with her whole heart? Yet so it was.
Kate and Emily were rival bellies, and
their claims to admiration were so equal
ly balanced that it required no little ex-
artion on either side to gain the ascend
ency and be acknowledged the victor.
If Kate, with her classical features,
queenly dignity, elegant figure, and ex-
quisite taste, at first sight threw her ri
val in the shade, Emily's piquant style
and sprightlyconversation were by many
preferred to Hates statuesque beauty
1t was impossible to decide which was
the lovcliest-each had her adherents
and admirers-but as they we're equal
ly numerous, ii seemedprobable that the
season would draw to close without
the all important decision of the ques-
ton, which had been, par excellence, the
belle.
Just at this time, Richard Warren re.
turned from Europe. The arrival of SO
undcniably elegant, handsome, and
wealthy gentleman, was an event; all
the fashionable world was in futter
and the rivals saw at once that the i'm
/ portant epoch had arrived. She whose
claims he advocated, whom he favored
with his admiration, would at once stand
upon the precarious pinnacle of belle
ship, though their tactics were entirely
different.
Emily brought to bear upon him the
batteriesof her sprightly wit, while Kate
adroitly laid the mine of apparently
queenly Indifference. AS vet, though ii
i was evident that Richard admired bot b
his preference was not known-perhaps
he hardly knew himself which one was
the most charming.
But during theexposition of the claims
of the rivals, lively conversation had
been going on. The last new novel and
the opera had been discussed, as well as
of the mutual friends, and in the midst
of some wickedly witty remarks of Emf
ly upon a would be fashionable lady, a
loud voice was heard inthe hall. 1t came
nearer the door, and the words could be
distinctly understood.
You no-brained, impudent iackan-
apes, I'll teach you manners: I'll make
you laugh on t'other side of our mouth.
The door was flung open, and in walk
ed tall, athletic young man, whose
really line form was Disguised in an i'll
fitting suit of evidently 0hestic manu-
tactme, and stood for alnnent awkard-
| " looking round him; th5 hastily APP
preaching Kate he flung his arm around
her, and gave her loud smack ON the
cheek.
She withdrew herself quickly and
haughtily from his embrace.
Sir, said she, with freezing dignity.
Law, don't We know who l be:' ex-
claimed the new conner, in no wise dis
concerted.-'W all, now, / do actually
believe you've forgotten me. Don't ye1
, know your cousin Ben? Ye see, l don't
like farmin' no how You can fix it, so
quit that and come TO the city.-Jim
oimpsonwas down to our place, and he's
doing first rate here. He said it was
dreadful hard to get a start in the CITY
but guess | amt going to slump through
where he gets ahead III risk it any,
how.
| Catharine, at the commencement OF