Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-05-22
THE HUMPBACKED COUSIN
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

| TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.
Behold an extraordinary adventure o
the latter days. If it were not an eXtraordi
nary occurrence one need not relate IL.
A father of family nhaOiting the Ku'
do la M.cho, diere, received, last summer,
letter from his nephew, who was IN the EN-
ploy of Hyder Abad. The letter concluded
thus:
81 have received the portraits of my tw'
cousins, Marie and Margaret. l have neve
had the pleasure Of seeing them, as l have
lived with Hyder Abad since my youth, bu
I am sura they are resembances. will ar
rive at IIavre by the ship Inos Ego, abOu
the first of October and on my arrival | all
determined to marry the beautiful Mar"
| The breaking open of the letter had des
troyed the rest Of the name. 1t was i'm
possible TO tell if the cousin had asked Ma
rie or Margaret in Marriage. The two sis
ters united previous to this time. had com
menced to live on MISUNDERSTANDING eaci
OF them positive that it was part Of he1
| name which was torn off in breaking the seal
The father employed his eloquence in calm
ing the anger of his two daughters when q
servant, sent in advance, arrived from Havre
announcing that his master went to Paris
with the evening train.
The servant was overwhelmed with ques
tions replicl that his master was ruined
and that he had, moreover, on his LETT shou
der, the horrid protuberance, which hao
caused, according to Plutarch, SO many mis-
fortunes to EsOp, the Phrygian.
The cousins determine, hereupon, to re-
main single forever, before marrying cousin
that is humpoacked and ruined.
AS they take this oath for the thirtietf
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-
tions of his nephew. at is my cousin Ma
rie, whom come to marry he replied.
Never never ~ screamed Marie. 81
am contented with my condition, and will
remain in it."
Mademoiselle," said the nephew, " have
adopted the custom of the country where
have been educated. Read the customs OIL
Hyder Abad in Travisnier. There when a
man is refused an offer of marriage, he with
draws himself from society as useless be-
ing"
He kills himself!' exclaimed the other
sister, Margaret
=" lie kills himself" replied the nephew,
in the tone of man about to commit sui
eide.
"Thc poor cousin" said Margaret, weep
ing, g to come such a distance to die in the
bosom of his family
81 know" continued the nephew, "that
1.c,. Ni;ot- En iubt of n
but in time the eyes of woman become
habituated to all things. l know also, that
my commercial business is not prosperous
Thrown very young into the diamond busi
ness, the only occupation of Iyder Abad,
lost there all the fortune of my father but
have acquired experience l am young
active and industrious. These are riches in
themselves"
"Yes, yes humpbacked and ruined,"-
muttercd Marie, in banering tone.
"Poor Young man - said Margaret, and
she added, "my cousin, | am refused, and
you pay no attention to it."
/" Aad by whom refused p inquired the
cousin.
"To your cost, by you; since you have
preferred my sister to me-"
"Eh, bien !" said the cousin, "wll you ac
cept me, if ask you in marriage from my
uncle 2"
al will engage my father to let my cousin
live"
what" exclaimed the humpbacked, "you
consent, my lovely Margaret, to"
'Save the life of rclative?' Indeed,
will not waver Il minute"
"This is we'll, my daughter" said the
uncle, affected by the scene. Romances
have not spoiled you. l have very small
income, but | ought not to abandon the son
Of my brother, in misfortune. | will keep
him here as kindred; for where there is
enough for three, there is enough Tor four
The cousin threw himself at Margarct's
feet, saying:
"You have saved an unfortunate man from
destI uction and death"
self:
"My sister has courage. AS for me,
would let all humpbacked cousins die"
"Uncle," said the young man, "allow me
to make a slight toilet before breakfast"
He pressed Marsarets hand, bowed tC
Marie, and left to change his travelling at
tire.
The uncle and his daughters were at the
table and awaiting for their fourth guest.
The servant announced the cousin Of Hydel
Abad. The two girls uttered two screams
but of different keys.
They see enter charming young man
tall, without any humpback, who embrace:
Margaret, and placing before her basket, he
says to her:
Behold your marriage portion
1t was basket full Of diamonds. 1t wa
moreover the hump which had thus arrived
free of duties.
See what have carried on my shoulders,
said the cousin, from Bombay to Havre t.
offer to that one of my cousins who woul,
accept me with my false poverty and m.
feigned deeormity"
There was great joy in the house, whicl
was, astonishing as it may seem, participa
ted in by Marie. 1t is true that Marie love,
her sister dearly, without detesting the dia
monds.
Ladies What Next
TEis is certainly an age of free discussion
and of extensive inquiry. F'r some time tn
| GhoonSD have afforded a theme for diScy SSior