The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-06-03
COUSIN JACKS COURTSHIP.

The trunks were all packed and corded, and
the carpet bags were piled up in the corner of
the cipacious old fashioned hall.
How melancholy they looked. those en-
blems of parting. and adeus. Not even the
merry laughter of two or three young girls
who were gathered around stallwart hand
some fellow of ab nut thirty. could entirely ban
ish an ilnpalpable snmt thing of sadness from
the scene. Cousin Jack was going away, the
general mischief maker tormenter and tease
OF the whole family; and Mr.. Chester sitting
by the distant window. wiped hi. spectacles
every five minutes and declared pettishly that.
the type of the evening paper was terrible
trial to his old ewes.
"Aye you may laugh. girls!" said Jack, ap-
plying himself vigorously to the refractory
lock of pOrtmanteau. Perhaps you may
one day discover ii isn't euch a laughing mat
ter think of the loss the fam ly Is going to
sustain in my eXcellencv."
But you'll come back soon, Jack, dear, "
coaxed Minnie Chester the pref tie.t and most
roguish of all his cousins. and the one who
KEEP; upa perfect fire of practical jokes and
girlish tricks at his expense
There she sat. on the biggest trunk of the
collection, her brown curls hanging abou' her
round face, and her eyes sparkling with Gu
riOns mixture ffun and tears
81 Tin not at all certain of that Miss Minnie
eaid Jack. decisively. If succepd in finding
location to suit me, shall probably decide 10
settle permanently at Thornville, and turn
landed proprietor on my own account"
.'Onlv imagine our Jack q gentleman of
property" laughed Minnie, appealing to her
sisters
81 don't zee any thing so very ridiculous in
the idea" remarked the young man. rather
piqned ut re amusement of the fair relatives
At all events. there's one incalculable ad-
vantage that will result from my departure"
And what is that Mr.. 'Iaclc?"
The fact that you've olayed your last freak
on me you tOrmenting little minx!"
Don't be so certain of that, Cousin Jack 9!
said Minnie shaking her long curls. "What
will you venture don't bestOw parting trick
on you yet? An! l haven't set led with you
Tor several little pieces of impertinence hut
pray don't imagine tbey are forgotten sir!"
- NV diamond sleeve buttons to your coral
necklace that you don't impose upon me
within the next three months, Minnie" said
Done!!" said Minnie. "Girls Won all hear
the wager don't you? always coveted Jack s
diamOnds!"
But You won't have them, Madamoiselle, !,
How dark it is getting in this cavernous old
hail."
''Shnll ring for lights. Uncle Chester and
BY the way, have you written that letter of in
PRODUCTION to Mr. Thorne?'
''All in good time, my boy-all in good
time" said the old gentleman, depOsiling his
huge silver bound spectacles in their case
"YOu yonng people are all in such desperate
hurry. Tell Betty to carry a lamp into the Ii
brarv, girls And, Minnie, where Is my gold
pen2 1 won't be ve,y long about it, and then
we'll have nice long evening to gossip about
Jacks prospects"
While Mr. Chester sat In his cosy, red-cur-
tanned library, revising the letter which he had
been writing 10 his old college friend Jabez
Th0rne. of Thorneville. to the effect that his
nephew. John Lacy, was in search of an elgi-
Bile piece of land, and wished to settle down as
q planter in that vicinity, and requesting Mr.
Tnoine's aid in the selection of the same, Min
ME open ID The door. r
Papa. there is some one down stairs who
wlsn-s to see you Immediately for ore min
Very annoying!" said the old gentleman. '
Just a, l Was finishing up this let or OF
Jack:! However can seal It. up afterward.
Minhie, suppose you glance over It. aud dot the
Is anu cross the is; I'm not SO much Of pen
man as used to bet" - - - .0l'9
And Old Mr.. Chester pushed back his chair
ana ro'e from tn antique oak table to attend
TO the Claims of his ur GENT guest. sea-.
Ohve Chester was brushing ont tbe heavy
b'aiis OF her luxuriant black hair before the
dressing mirror of her own apartment two
hours later, when Minnie ran in, with q coun-