The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-12-22
20, that's u French book" said Ara.
bella, condesccndingly.

read it, can youl"
70, certainly"
"Why, won't you read me liitlc!'
Arabella was not "a very profound
French scholar. but she liked to show
off, and coniiding in her cousins igno-
rance, she translated page quite
volubly; though with additions and
alterations which would have aston.
ished any competent scholar.
"Lor, how learned you must be-"
was Hannah's comment. at took a
good while to learn, didn't III"
"Yes,' said Arabella, rendered quite
gracious by the compliment. "Ilow.
ever, had natural turn for it, so
suppose | made more rapid progress
than some"
The next day the ball was spoken
of.
What are you going to have a
ball!' said Hannah; amt that nice, |
never was at one of your city parties
| shall enjoy it ever so much"
"What will be fun to you will he
death to me-" thought ArabcIIa 81
wish you were back in your fathers
farm.house.'
Friday evening came, and with it
the party. Arabella conducted her
cousin into the room, and leading her
up to quiet old lady in the corner,
introduced her, trusting that her awk-
wardneSs would not attract general
attention. She then went away to
attend other guests.
Mr.. Stanton entered the room. 1t
chanced that the old lady with whom
Hannah was convcrsing was an init.
mate friend of his mother, whom he
had not seen for long time. He
went up to her and paid his respects.
She introduced him to Hannah, and
the two fell into con vcrsatiOn. The
latter had thrown of her rusticity,
and responded inteIligently. lie pro-
pose ii promenade; Hannah asscnted.
Good heavens" thought Arabela,
looking round, "il' there isn't Hannah
walking with Mr.. Stanton; how she
must be exposing herself"
With the benevolent intention of
relieving Mr.. Stanton OF the inncton,
she hastened TO them, and devised a
pretext for calling Hannah away.
"IndecA," said Mr. Stanton, courte-
ous y. Il must protest against this.
am just going to introduce a friend
to your cousin"
20, he's going to get rid of her in
that way" thought Arabells, swell
it'll save me the trouble"
She could not help feeling little
envious to know what friend it was
that Hannah was to be introduced to.
Judge Of her surprise when it proved
to be a French gentleman, who, she
well knew, could scarcely speak a
word of English.
"Mr. Stanton is going to have some
fun out of her." she thought half NOR
tilted, halt dcsirous Of hearing the con-
versation that woul,, cnsue between
the rustic cousin and the Frcnchman.
Accordingly she drew near. The
Fienchman addressed few remarks
TO her in his native language.
What will she say thought Ara.
bella ma icious'y.
Imagine her astonishment when
Hannah, in the most natural manner
in the world, replied IN Tie same lan-
gudgc.
The conversation was sustained for
sometime.
"Can she have been deciying us y
thought the bcwildercd Arabella.
Just then Mr.. Stanton begged Han.
nah to accept his escort to the piano.
She accepted, and performed n bril-
liant sonata in admirable style.
"lIer touch is superb said a gen
tleman to Arabella. "Who is She"
"a cousin of mine-Nliss Brown
said ArabeIla, not without compla-
cency.
"Will you introduce mel"
"Certainly."
At length the party was over. As
soon as the last guest had gone, Ara
bela's curiosity broke out.
"Why, Hannah, how could you de.
ceive us so! ! really thought you
quite rustic
Hannah's eyes twinkled.
80 conjectured,' said she. "and ]
wanted to teach you lesson, that was
all. Believe me, cousin ArabeIa, one
may live in the country, and not be
altogether countryfied. It you wish
to be convinced, my father has au-
thorized me to give your mother and