The Van Buren press., 1861-04-17
Mggistellanv.
COUSIN JONATHAN.
A Charming Sketch from BlackwOod

A Charming Sketch from BlackwOod.
Before a bright fire. in handsomely fur
nished drawing-room, two persons stood
one evening" young and very lovely girl
with merry glance and smile. She was
dressed in something soft and white. that
hoated round her like mist and in her
nut brown hair nestled half blown rose
Her companion was q man past the prime
OF Young manhood and perhaps the first
impression his appearance gave was that of
awkwardness only. Short and ungraceful-
ly, yet powerfully made. with features far
from regular. it would difficult to describe
him as any other than plain man Of some
five and forty years of age. Yet he had
one charm, a voice of wonderful richness
and depth; soft and gentle too /: then speak
ing to his fair companion
81 hope you will enjoy it as much as
you expect, Alice
+" l hope shall but, cousin. why are
you not going with US %
You will not miss me. and have let
ters to write this evening. Besides what
should an old fellow like me do at ball.
Alice turned round and gave him . very
saucy little look out of her brown eyes.
What Silly thing you are, Cousin
Jonathan.''
AT that moment a tall, hearty-looking
old gentleman entered the room, evidently
enjoying some joke, much to his own salts
isetlon. He carried a parcel in his hand.
81 See. Hiss Alice. here's queer sort O:
thing come for you. Can you imagine
what 1t is, IN sure can't"
Sne unfolded the silver paper, and brought
to light an exquisite boquet of hot-house
flowers.
But. oh how lovely how very lovely
who can have sent them ?''
She glanced at her cousin as she spoke,
laughing.
90 Not Jonathan. I'm sure" said her "a.
ther. he's old enough to have more sense.
Did you send them 2" persisted Alice,
moving nearer to him, and her voice falter-
ed q little.
Il mol Is it likely? See. here is q
card in the paper
She took it up. and read aloud With
Captain Rays compliments.
I" Very polits-very proper-very kind
said her father. rubbing his hands" very
much SO indeed
Cousin Jonathan moved away.
Mr.. Braybrooke took his daughter
hand. and tuning her deliberately round,
examined her with great apparent satisfac-
tion.
"Not amiss, is it, Jonathan % appeal.
ing to their quiet companion.
That gentleman WAS reading letter. and
looking up for moment. replied" Ger
tainly not, SIR"
He bent over the paper again. but any
one near might have seen it trsmble in his
hand.
Alice grew very rosy. and drew up he,
slender figure to its full! height.
Pray, papa, don't ask Mr.. Waring to
admire poor me you disturb him from his
letter; and besides-I-lm sure it dossn',
Il don't' s......
:My opinion can be of NO value, ]
know" said her cousin. with another glance
from his occupation.
s. Never mind. puss." added Mr.. Brsya
brooke, ~ he thought be saw Alice's lins
Quiver; " thsss old bachelors ars alwsy.
cross and ill-tempered."
The carriage 10 ct the door," erisd the
footman. entering very opportunsly.
Mr.. Braybrooks left the room and Alice's
maid came in with warm cloak Of white
and cherry colorsd silk.
Good night = said the little lsdy.-
Then this charming affair wss properly pm,
on. black lace veil was thrown over hsz
head. ...sss.r
Mr.. W.ring looked mp. She stood be-
side him: holding out : tiny white -gloved
hand. He TOOK il sayine--
= Good night hope your first hall :
will be . merry one, Alice" s.,..ss.
The hand fingered in his.
Il you were only coming Cousin Jous-