The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-05-28
AWKWARD JEREMIAH.


A young gentleman fashionably dress
ed, and with the air of one who would be
at home in society, reached Boston to-
wards evening, by the Fitchburg Railroad.
He proceeded at once to hotel, not wish
ing TO intrude upon his relatives at that
hour, and took a comfortable supper. Af-
ter this he read the evening papers, and
then went out for leisurely stroll on
Washington street. On his way he pass
ed Vintop's well-known establishment,
and, it being warm evening, he decided
to 90 in and have an ice-cream.
He accordingly ordered one, and while
waiting to have it served, had an oppor-
tuni:y TO look about him little and take
leisurely survey Of the company assem-
bled. These were chiefly ladies, and to
those who are at all familiar with Boston
ladies, | need not say that the faces were
very we'll worth looking at.
Our hero's attention, however, was
chiefly attracted to two young ladies who
sat at the table nearest his own. They
were apparently about the same age,
which could not have varied much from
eighteen. Both, too, were quite attract
i've in personal appearance.
They were conversing together in quite
an animated strain on variety Of sub
jects. At length one said:
"By the way, Emma, have l told you
about the visitor we are expectingp
"No," said the other.
ats cousin from the country, who,
l suppose, will be perfect rustic in every
respect. Such fun as l expect to get out
of himT
"Himl 1t is a young gentleman, then,
Alice?"
"He is young man. / am afraid his
manners will hardly entitle him to the
other designation"
"What is his name"
Jeremiah Onthank. / expect he will
want us to call him jerry"
The other young lady laughed.
His name is rustic enough, certainly"
she said. "You must give me a chance
to see him. Mustn't keep him all to your
self, Alice"
"I don't intend to- want somebody
else to enjoy the fun"
"Do you know how he looksl"
"No, but can imagine. In the first
place he is tall and awkward, not know
ing what to do with his hands and feet,
wearing cowhide boots and a whole suit
of blue, including swallow tails studded
plentifully with brass buttons. There,
what do you say toaihat picturc9"
Emma laughed.
"I say this" she replied, "that if he
at all answers your description he will be
a decided accession to our society. When
do you expect himl"
"To-morrow. Uncle wrote that Jer-
ry, as he calls him, will probably arrive at
that time."
al guess l shall make an errand To
drop in at that time."
"Do so by all means"
With these words they rose and left
the store.
The young man had listened to their
conversation with an air of mingled as
tonishmeut and vexation.
Not to keep the reader in suspense, we
will tell him what he has probably sur
missed, that the chance listener to the
young ladies' remarks was none Other
than jeremiah Onthank himself
He was quite the reverse Of the picture
which his cousin had drawn, being, as We
have said, very gentlemanly, both in his
dress and address. He was born in Yer
mont, where his father-a good honest
farmer-still lived; but had enjoyed the
advantages OF education in a college in
the city of New York, where he had had
an opportunity to mingle in society. Thi:
fact was quite unknown to his cousins
In fact they were moi first cousins, altho
the indefinite relationship was most con
veniently expressed by that term. Hith
erto the two families had known but little
of each other.
81 will pay her of" said the young
man to himself, with quiet smile.
The next morning he visited ready
made clothing establishment.
"Have you blue suits?" he said.
awe have none made up recently
They are not fashionable in the city, yot
know"
81 am aware Of that, but intend Il
do little masquerading."
"What, to personate countryman 2
said the clerk, smiling.
Precisely"
"Then / think can accommodate you
Not long since countryman called IL
and ordered such suit as you desire, but
having been fleeced of bis money by SOM
sharpers, was obliged to leave them oil
our hands,"
"The very thing| exclaimed younl
Onthank.
"There is only one thing. He was no
so tall as you, and they may be some
what short in the sleeves and legs"
"All the better. Such is the tradition
al country fashion. Will you let me Sc
themp
The suit was accordingly shown.