The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-11-13

UJ CTONu, among "lllSu bdS 0toAi Va WV
policeman shone conspicuous.
"I say I didn't do it, cried some
what familiar voice pitched on an extremely
high key, q tell you | didn't tech it; and
if you don't let me alone, I'll knock you
down by hokey Hello there's my cous-
in jim! He knows me- and he'll tell you
that I'm jest as honest feller as the day
is long!"
l shuddered. Here was another of my
relatives; and at a little distance | recog-
nized the glossy tile of Dick Van Voorhies,
-Flora's brother.
81 say, Jm" cried my cousin, Tom
Brown, fourishing his arms at me, "come
here this mint, and tell this man l hain't
pickpocket [ say, Jiml'
IL don't know you" stammered [ A; and
taking a step backward, l stumbled over
the stand of candy and apple-woman,
upsetting the whole concern, and myself
besides. The woman was angry, as she
had a right to be; and called me some very
hard names in a very strong brogue, and
hit me two severe blows with long han
died, two quart noggin!
| scrambled to my feet and fed, hearing
as [ went, the aattering remark from by
stander:r
"He looks more like pickpocket than
tother one! Shouldn't wonder if he was
the one! He's got a real hang-dog ex-
pression"
l plunged into the first cross-street that
offered, and came upon George Seaward, a
young sprig Of the aristocracy, with whom
[ had an acquaintance. He gave me a
cigar, and we walked up the street togeth-
er, smoking, and making remarks on the
ladies we met
A coal cart came rattling along, and a
rusty voice sung out
Halo! if there isn't cousin Jim Brown! i!
Jim, say, look up here and see Sam
Smith, won't you3 Shake hands with a
feller, do;' and he extended toward me a
paw which, for size, would have fitted
Hercules, and, for color, an Ethiopian.
made dodge into the back yard of a
house, the inmates of which set dog on
me, and inspired by the stimu'ous of his
bark, [ managed to escape into another
yard, by climbing over the fence and
leaving my hat and coat tails behind me
as SOuUenlr!
In my mad flight through yard No 2,
| nearly overturned a young woman who
was hanging clothes on a line. l opened
my mouth to apologize, but she seized me
by the arm with an exclamation of delight
"Why, Jim Brown, declared don't you
know me? Me, your cousin Nelly Z"
| broke from her; and no grass grew
under my feet until | was safe in my own
chamber. sunk down completely ex-
hausted, wondering if the entire popuIa
ton of Boston consisted of my relations.
Suddenly l remembered that | was 90
ing to the theatre that night with Flora
[ must put my hair in papers, and perfume
my moustache.
AT dinner, Aunt Sally eyed me curl
ously, and asked me what | had got my
hair rolled up for. She guessed there was
going to be quilting somewheres, she
said. My mother unfortunately y informed
her that | was going to the theatre. From
that moment my doom was sealed.
That was the pace,of all others, that aunt
Sally wanted to visit. And she "couId 90
with me jest as well as not, if not more
So" she said complacentIy.
| dressed myself when the time came,
and hurried out at a side door, determined
to battle aunt Sally; but the old woman
was too sharp for me. These she sat com
pOsedly, on one of the stone lions that
tlanked the gateway, dressed in founced
pink calico, and yellow bonnet, waiting
for me.
"Tm all ready" she remarked, jumping
up; and I've took my work-bag along,with
some crackers in it, Ifit holds in till after
nine o'clock, we shall want a Iunchin."
We stepped into the street. The people
stared at US. | felt as red as full blown
poppy. My face streamed with perspira-
ton. | could not endure it; it was no use
Politdness l ignored in this case. | took
advantage of the old lady's rapt gaze at
the window of print shop, to bolt down a
by street; and in a few moments | was in
the presence Of my divine Flora. We
walked lelsurely to the theatre; | at my
ease-for knew that the old lady never
could find her way, unassisted to the
theatre.
Judge, then, of my horror, when, on
that place of amusement, the first
spectacle that greeted my eyes Vas aunt
Sally, standing in the door, her work-bag
on her arm, her voice raised to its highest
tension, and her right hand gesticuIating
to the crowd she had gathered around her.
"He went out of sight jest like flash p
she was saying, "and | give little boy
ten cent piece to show me the way here
and I'm waiting for him to come along
I'm kinder afeard he's got lost, for he was
aIIus rather weak. headed; but, seein as if