Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-09
Mliseellanp,
The Country Cousin.
CONTINUED

winters storm that had delayed the foreign
steamer had also " showed up" the railways;
and the Northern Vermont line, which was to
transport young Allan Balfour-" the country
cousin to the metropolis, to assume the du-
ties of clerkship in Uncle Johns store,
being put under blockade it was by no mea ms
strange that the train usually due at 7 p M.
did not reach its terminus until three hours
later, or that the said Allen Balfour, when he
jumped from the cars to the platform of the
Haylnarket Square Depot, was in some doubt
whether to intrude upon his uncle's house
hold " at that time o'night," or be driven to
hotel.
"Hack, sir? have a hack coach, sir
check, sill? any baggage?" urged the voluble
body corporate, gesticulating violently from
THEFT stand behind the railing and straight
way the young man-who, we notice, possesses
q good figure, intelligent countenancc, and
fine dark eye-singles out one of the score of
importunate hack-drivers, and, delivering up
his check, is conducted to the carriage outside
the depot.
"Per'aps I'd better go to tavern" solilo-
quized the youth" to the City Hotel, guess.
Ephraim Anderson always stops there when he
comes to Boston to buy goods (up-country
traders are usually guiltless of the Revere,
Winthrop, Or United States). It's late; uncle
Johns folks may be abed?"
The coachman, who had just tossed his we'll
worn hair-trunk-that trunk wherein his moth
er had laid, with tears in her eyes, a little red
covered Bible between his nicely done up"
homemade shirts and knit woolen socks; and
down in one corner of which sister Kate had
carefully bestowed few dainty keepsakes-
caught his passengers soliloquy uttered half
aloud I" Verdant" " he muttered, soto voce.
"City Hotel, sir, you said?" he added aloud.
"Well, if thought uncle Johns folks
would be up-father wrote should be here to-
day-do you know where John Balfour lives in
B. Street,"
"John Balfour, merchant " asked the hack
man, his manner instantly changing.
Il" The same.'
Yes, sir.''
"Well, he's my uncle. Guess will 60
there, though it's rather late," said Allan.
6 No danger but their candles are burning
yet Git ep!" and, with a contemptuoui
smile for the "greeny - inside, Jehu ratified his
passslger pslLlneN through cradle-ho'as innu-
merable, till he drew up before the merchants
brilliantly lighted mansion.
"Rite in here, Massa Balfour-dis way. DE-
young ladies ben expectin you all day. Masss
come home from the wharf, and 'fraid th'
steamer wouldn't git in till mornin'. Ladie
felt terribly dis'pointed. Dis way, sah," float
ed up to Ralph's ears with the notes of th
Germanians, as he stood leaning over the stat
balustrade in the upper gallery, whence he ha'
emerged from his chamber. Warm fire il
the CRATE, sah Hope the 'partment feels com
for'ble Missus'll be delighted; is holdin' bi
swarree; glib out invites ten days ago, sab, il
honor OBJ your rival Make yourself comfor'
BILE, Massa Balfour. I'll glib orders for Jane
to bring up somethin' warm. Hot coffee
oysters stewed? Chorlotte Russo, sah?" volubl
exclaimed the bland Jupiter Aphonse.
"lshould like cup of hot Coffee" Ralp
Balfour heard in reply and smile gathere
about his lips; and when, after the lapse G
five minutes-still keeping his station of sent
mel from the upper landing of the circula
staircase-he saw James retire, after bearing
tray into the room, he hastily descended, an
tapped softly at the door,
tall young man, with pleasing physiogn(
my, but clad in suit of somewhat rust
fashion, and evidently not quite at home
that elegantly appointed chamber, answered tt
summons.
Il am Ralph Balfour," he said, entering
and you are"
"Allan Balfour, from Wethers6eld, We
mont" was the reply.
"And your father and mine-Eben and j
seph--were brothers, which, of course, max
us first cousins, as grandmother would say
Let's shake hands on it," And Ralph smilin
ly extended his hand, which was as frankly a
cepted. " Now, then," continued Ralp
speaking hastily, "you must excuse my unce
emonious entrance, which | will account for
this wise You have come hther to be unc
Jphn's clerk. You see | know all about
though I've been in this house scarce half
hour longer than yourself There's curlo
mistake occurred, natural enough, perhaps, u
der the circumstances, yet none the less laug
able; but, if we don't turn the laugh on thei
then it's our own fault, cousin Allan. You
it's simply this: To-day, was expected hoi
from Europe ola the America, where We be
these two years: and you were also looked 1
Uia the railway. But the steamer did not
rive at the time she was due; hence they ga
her up for tonight. But they did expect yo
and, on my arrival, the stupid woody cad, W
doubtless had his orders from my worthy aui
invested me with your personality, took me
three or four flight of stairs, into oneof t
servants chambers, fancy, and took particu
pains to impress on my mind the fact that
presence could be dispensed with in the parl
below tonight. Half an hour after, you
rived, and mark the di6erenc3t Ralph Balfo
scapegrace, who happens to hayeno particu
virtues of his own, save that he inherited fir
his poor dead and gone father the comfort.
sum of several hundred thousands won in
tunate East India trade and Allen Balfo
son Of an honest, Industrious country farm
and who is willing to use his own head &
Londo to oush his 1u,v +hrourh thn ,yorId