Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-29
aflistrllan]cy|ts,
THE COUSINS WAGER
I.
By Laura I. CURTIS.

bet&4se'a<h acarrollsburg Ythe terminus of The
N. snd r. Raiaroads aara Elnburyton-aa
little village solre ssVenty niles Distant
slowly elshnsca tie ssssll ct the top Of mhich
stood the large esd comfortable nsa1saiosa q
Esq. Enbury. Is it stopped at the garden
gate, young 1nan sp.ang from. the stage
box, and taking his posttaanteau, srs4agea
up the path chat led to the 1koase
| lie had scarcely entered tie Shaded VAN
when he was surrounded by tie whole fami-
lily, who had from the windows seen the stop
|page of the coach, and the arrival of the
traveller Little and big greeted him with
the warmcst expressions Of welcome. Tie
old gray-haired Squire shook his hand as il
he could never let 60; and the children fair
| ly slapped him short. by cinging to him in
/ their joyous ardor., As soon as he could
4 free himself from their grasp. he embraced,
/ in has trrn, the portly dame, who had been
snilingiy looking on; and then turning to a
young girl who had stood by, he kissed her
several times.
There, shere-thst will do; cousin Tom,
/ she e1clasthed, 1aughingly, And now
| come into tie hohse and rest. know you
must be tired With yoar journey; and if that
did net fatigue you, ydh in ust be pretty well
| used ap With gear last Eve INITIATES, perfor-
! manccs'
Another time, another time, children.
she said pleasantly, to the little folks, who
| were erging cousin Tom to accompany them
to see the new calf and the birds nest ii,
the kssc besh, tie model bee-hives, and a
variety of other objects Of interest. Having
promised to 60 and see all these great mar
wells in short time, he was allowed to FOLLOW
his pssfeettss3 eoasin into tie family ssttan s
room.
I am 50 glad You came to-day, cousin
Ten. I was SO afraid something might pre-
vent you from getting here. uhtil tomorrow
for you must know there is to be a party to-
night at Mrs Stevens. and wanted"
70 SHOW Of your cotyih Tom I suppose,
interrupted that young gentleman, stroking
his moustache tenderly.
,.Oh, you coxcomb,' exclaimed Kate Vs.
Was ever anything efnal to the vanity Of
you men?'
Yes, the vanity of yod women returned
Tom
Nonsense reteated Kate. It shfinks
into utter irsigni6cance, when compared
with yours; and, besides, there is the fact to
be considered-w hare some excuse for ou1
vanity--ot good locks whereas yot lords
of creation have none
'Ahem. That's modest, epon nay word,
cried Tom, glancing at the mirror opposite,
with self complacent air, for which We will
not censure him too severely, since he Mas
really: a fine looking fellow
4 dare say yor moald nes-er. believe rae
fl were to declare ever So positively that it
was not my principal reason for wishing
your arrival, that I might show you off,
I continued Kate; so I won't try to shake
your faith in your charms. | will leave
that task to Harry Frazer, whom you will
see at the party tonight
Harry Frazer Who's thate'
who is she? you should ask Mr.. Latf-
lner She is a nice young lady, a neice Of
Mr.. Somerset, who has fecestly ccn.e into
our town; and she is, moreover, d beauty
and belle n.
:. T never had any fancy for bellies, said
| Tom. But why in the name Of common
sense DO you call her Harry? What is her
name 2
Harriet, believe: but her aunt and un-
Gle call her Harry, and so other people have
fallen into it. It struck me strangely al
first; but have become accustomed to it.
1 What is the style Of her beauty? asked
Tom.
I shall tell you nothing about her look
at all. Wait antil you have seen her 70:
yourself
VERY we'll. As ala to See her this eve
ming, 1 think ,an bear the suspense fev
hours longer. In the meantime, with you
! permissioa, 1 viii 60 to my chamber, an'
dispense witk little Of the drst Of my trav
ell Eonr room is quite ready. TIE or
you always have, you know. And now B
sure and put on your best looks for to
night
i Give Yourself no uneasiness with regar
to that matter, sweet coz; have no doubt
shall satisfy you fully replied Tom, as b
went up the stair case.