Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-19

charming wife, whose laSt merit Is Cne pos
session of large fortune Au reuoir.
Translated From. the French.
The Humpbacked Cousin.
Behold an extraordinary adventure of the
latter days. If it were not an extraordinary
occurrence one need not relate it.
A father of family inhabiting the Rue de
la Nichordiere, received, last summer, a let
ter from his nephew, who was in the employ
of Hyder Abada. The letter concluded
thus
81 have received the portraits of my two
cousins, Marie and Margaret. have never
had the pleasure of seeing them, as have
lived with Hyder Abada since my youth, but
| am sure they are resemblances. l will ar
rive at Havre by the ship Inos Egoa, bout
the first of October, and on my arrival !
am determined to mary the beautiful
Mar"
The breaking open Of the letter had des-
troyed the rest the name. 1t was impos-
sible to tell if the cousin had asked Marie or
Margaret in Marriage. The two sisters, unit
ed previous to this time, had commenced to
live on misunderstanding, each of them,
positive that it was part of her name which
was torn off in breaking the seal.
The father employed his eloquence in calm
ing the anger of his two daughters when
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; replied that his master was ruined, and
that he had moreover on his LETT shoulder, the
horrid protuberance, which had caused, ac-
cording to Plutarch, so many misfortunes to
1Esop, the Phrygian.
The cousins determine, hereupon, to remain
single forever before marrying cousin that
is humpbacke ed and ruined.
AS they 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
the torn letter, asks the matrimonial inten-
tions of his nephew. 1t is my cousin Ma
rie, whom come to marry" he replied.
"Never never ~ screamed Marie. d" l
am contented with my condition, and l will
remain in it,
Mademoiselle," said the nephew, II have
adopted the custom of the country whence l
have been educated. Read the customs OF
Hyder Abad in Travisnier. There when a
man is refused an offer of marriage, he with
draws himself from society as a useless be-
ing"
"He kills himselfn exclaimed the other
sister, Margaret.
q" He kills himself r' replied the nephew in
the tone of a 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"
81 know" continue the nephew, " that my
deformity afflicts the sight of a woman, but
in time the eyes ofa woman become habituat-
ed to all things. know also, that my COM
mercial business is not prosperous Thrown
very young into the diamond business, the
only occupation of Hyder Abada, l lost there
all the fortune of my father but have
acquired experience am young, active,
and Industrious. These are riches in them
selves"
"Yes, yes humpbacked and ruined
muttered Marie, in bantering tone
"Poor, young,p' said Margaret, and she ad-
ed, "my cousin, | am refused, and you pay
no attention to it,
And by whom refused ?" inquired the
cousin.
"To your cost, by you since you have
preferred my sister to me-"
"Eh, bien !" said the cousin, " will you ac-
cept me, if ask you in marriage from my
uncle ~
"I will engage my father to let my cousin
live"
What !" exclaimed the hum hacked,
| 70
"Save the lie of relative ?" Indeed, ]
Wi, not waver minute"
"Ths is well, my daughter" said the un-
Gle, affected by the scene. "ROmance5 have
not spoiled you. l have very small income
brother, in misfortune. 1 will keep him here
as kindred for where is enough for three
there is enough for four"
feet, saying:
destruction and DEATH"
At little distance, Marie muttered to her.
self
any sister has courage. AS for me, would
let all humpbacked cousins die.
"Uncle,' said the young man, allow me te
make slight toilet before breakfast"
He pressed Margaret's hand, bowed to
Marie, and left to change his travelling at
tire
The uncle and his daughters were at ia
table awaiting for their fourth guest.
The servant announced the cousin of Hy
der Abada. The two girls uttered two
screams, but of different keys.
They see enter charming young man =
tall, without any humpback, who embraces
Margaret, and places before her basket; ht
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 would
accept me with my false poverty and my
feigned defcrmity."
There was great joy in the house, which
was, astonishing as it may seem, participated
in by Marie. 1t is true that Marie loved he
sister dearly, without destesting her dia
monds.
A LETTER from the South estimates tn
damage done to plantations, in consequenc
: of the rise Of the Mississippi, to be thirt
millions of dollars.