American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-07-08
Translated from the French.
The Humpbacked Cousin.


Behold an extraordinary adventure Of
the latter days. lit were not an extraor-
binary occurrence one need not relate it.
A father Of family inhabiting the Rue
dc la Mchordiere, received, last summer,
a letter from his nephew, who was in tile
employ of Hyder Abader. The letter con-
cuded thus:
Il have received The portraits Of my
two cousins, Marie and Margaret. have
never had the pleasure Of seeing them, as
I have lived with Hyder Abada since my
youth, but am sure they are resemblan-
ces. will arrive at Harve by the ship
Inos Egoa, about the first of October, and
on my arrival n determined to marry
the beautiful Mar"
The breaking open Of the letter had des.
troyed tbe rest Of the name. 1t was i'm
possible to tell if the cousin had asked Ma
rie or Margaret in Marriage. The two
sisters, united previous to this time. had
commenced to live on Misunderstanding,
each Of them positive that of their name
which was torn off in breaking the seal.
The father employed his eloquence in
calming the anger OF his two daughters;
when servant sent in advance, arrived
from Have, announcing that bis master
went 10 Paris with the evening train.
TIE servant was overwhelmed with
questions; replied that his-master was ,u-
ined, and that lie had moreover on his left
shoulder, the hoirid protuberance, which
had caused, according 10 Plutarch, so ma
ny misfortunes TO Rsop, the Phrygisn.
The cousins determine hereupon to re.
main single forever, before marrying q
cousin that is hnmpbacked and ruined.
AS thny take this oath for the thirtieth
time in twelve hours, the cousin arrives
His Uncle warmly embraced him, the cou-
sins make polite bow and turn away
their eyes.
The Uncle then explains the incident Of
the torn letter, asks the matrimonial inten-
tons Of his nephew. "It is my cousin
Marie, whom I come to marry" he re-
piled.
Never! neverp screamed Marie. i
am con,ented with my condition, and I
: will remain in it, ...
'Mademoiselle,' said the nephew, i have
adopted the custom of the country whence
have been educated. Read the customs
, OF Hyder Abad in Travisnier. There
, when a man is refused an offer of marriage
he wilhdraws himself from society as {
useless being
; He kills himselfl' exclaimed the otheI
sister Margaret. .
He kills him selfp replied the nephew
in the tone ofa man about to commit sui
eide.
MY poor cousin, said Margaret weep
ing, 'to come such distance to die in the
! bosom of his family
L know continued the nephew, 'tha
my deformity affiicts the sight ofa woman
but in time the eyes Of woman become ha
, tituated to all things. know also, tina
my commercial business is not prosperous
Q Thrown very young in the diamond busi
ness, the only occupation Of Hyder Abadi
? | lost there all the fortune of my father
/ but have acquired experience, an
r young, active, and industrious. Thes
, are riches In themselves
. Yes, yes; humpbacked and ruined, =
muttered Marie in bantsring tone.
5 Poor, young'-said Margaret, and sh
e added, my cousin, I am refused, and yor
q pay no attention to it,
|. And by whom refused?' inquired tn
!. cousin.
9 To your cost, by you; since you hav
i. preferred my sister to me-
nj 'Eh, bien!' said the cousin, will yo
accept me, if l ask you in marriage fror
# my uncleH' ..s d..
;. i will engage my father to let my COZ
sin live t
d 'Whatl' exclaimed the humpbacked
= you consent, my l. vely Margaret, To-
Save the life offs relative?' Indeed,
t> will not waver minute
This is well, my daughter said the ut
v Gle, affected by the scene. Romance
: have not spoiled you. Ihavea very sma
ID income, but l ought not to abandon tn
son Of my brother, in misfortune, L wi
\. keep him here as kindred for where is
m nough for three, there is enough for four
n The cousin threw himself at Margaret
feet, saying: tt..H .
q. You have saved an unfortunate ma
y from destruction and DEATH
/" At a little distance, Marie muttsred
q. herself: a,a{ ra+ 1e:i r;
IN my sister has courage. As for me,
ys would let all humpbacked cousins die. :.
II tUncle,' said the young man. allow n
to make small toilet before brsakfast. ,,
ID He pressed Margaret,s hand, bowed
or Marie, and left to change his travelling 0
a. tive