The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-13
Volume IS.
Gge stotp GelIer,
Prom the KnIckerbOeker for June.
WE ARE ALL
COUSINS TOGETHER.
BY FRANCES LEE.

The Cobb family were at breakfast.
a little more gravy, If you please said
Mrs. Cobb.
As she raised her plate there was loud,
single knock at the door, which opened in.
stantly, apparently Of itself.
'IIo! it's Mr.. Wiggin, said Mr.. Cobb to
himself in a disappointed tone, as though he
had expected to see the Secretary of War
or at least contraband.
Good morning, Mr.. wiggiu, said he afla-
bly,, aloud.
your servant, SIR! Good morning y re-
turned theyisitor, stamping the snow from
his boots in the same emphatic manner that
he spoke. He was so large a man that he
seemed exaggerated, with hair that had once
been red. and whiskers that still were.
Help yourself to u chair, Mr.. wiggin,
said Mrs. Cobb, who had forgotten all about
wanting gravy. But he preferred the corner
Of the woOd-bOx, where no sat with an old
hat ON his head, and his brawny hands
clasped about one knee, us fearing it might,
in its energy, walk away Of itself.
Il may as well be brief. and come right to
the point. am plain man, as you know,
neighbor Cobb, and when have any thing
to say, speak out ieetie--Jlunt, we'll say,
without the ceremony and palaver that GER
tain ones Of our neishbors have-I won't call
no names on this occasion, you understand
whom | mean well enough
OF course he meant Col. Dcmpster. to
whom he was opposed in every thing, simply
because it was his nature and life to be op-
posed to somebody. Having given the inev-
table hit at the urbane Colonel, he pro-
ceeded:
MY business, and the reason why called
so early this morning, is to have some talk
with you obout buying young critters. 1t
is my purpose and intention to take fair
start tomorrow morning for Vermont, to
look for some. 6eiiepe am not mistaken
in thinking you want more stock, and there
fore l called in to say, II you want to join
me in an expedition Of this kind. be ready
to step aboard of my craft at precisely half
past FIVE o'clock tomorrow morning. l am
man OF few words, what do you say, neigh
Dor Cobb, yes or mop
Neighbor Cobb took moment to consid-
er, and then asserting to his need Of more
stock, didn't know but he could arrange to
leave home on the morrow as well as any
time.
Halt past five o'clock precisely! l have
told you just how it is; want to get an
early start, reiterated Mr.. wiggin, and re-
leasing his knee from durance, without the
fashionable superauity Of administering the
oath of allegiance, he followed it actively
through the doorway.
At half past five precisely, on the next
morning, the mercury stood at discourage
ing distance below zero, but Mr.. Virgins
blue pung and gray horse drew up before
Mr.. Cobb's gate, with all he more zest, for
he had an especial relish for outsenerallng
the weather, and never yielded his plans a
whit for its rigor or inclcmency.
The travellers were leagues away from
their pig.sties and milk.pails when the sun
came back from China, and showed with
what opals and diamonds the prodigal frost
king had been decorating even the humblest
wayslde bush and tree and before nightall
they were near an old and aristocratic town,
where Mr.. Cobb's cousin, Mrs. Doctor Dan
yers. resided.
What do you say to giving cousin Dan
yers call ? said Mr.. Cobb.
L am agreed to that returned Mr.. Wig
gin. But how is it, have your folks straw
and provender euoughT
Yes! expect they are very fore-handed
people, and Doctor Danvers is quite likely
sort OF a man, I should judge by wha, little
have seen Of him. They visited us once,
some years ago, hut it has so happened we
have never returned their CALL
After some inquiry as to the way, the gray
horse and blue pung stopped in front OF DR..
Danyers' stately mansion, just us the sun
started of back to China again.
III run in and see IL the folks are a,
home said Mr.. Cobb, while Mr.. wiggin
held in the gray horse with all his might,
shouting. whoa, whirr whoa, whirr =
which had the effect of making him prance
and rear, thus showing his mettlo to the
passers-by.
A pert colored girl answered the door.bell,
with her head thrown back as though taking
an observation of the planetary system, and,
SAYING, Doctor Danvers isn't at home, nor
Missis either was about shutting the door
in Mr.. Cobb's face.
'wOnt they be back to-nightT asked he,
before she had time.
''Specs likely they will,' answered she'
indiasrently.
Then l guess I'll go in and wait till they
come. l suppose I'm somc connection Of
Mrs. Danvcr,' returned Mr.. Cobb, bsckon-