The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-02-22
MirelIanp.
BACHELOR BROWNS couRrsH1P

years, and declared his intention of continuin
in the state of single blessedness the remainde
of his life-greatly to the satisfaction of his re-
atives, the Hinkles, with whom he resided fo,
be it known, Uncle Richard was worth a COO
half million, and unless, as Mrs. Hinkle said
some 'nasty charity came in for his property
whom should he leave it to but to his own tw,
cousins or their children?
Hopeful as poor human nature is Of longe vity
Mr.. and Mrs. Hinkle scarcely expected to sur
vive their cousin, who was their junior by ten
years, but Adelaide and Rose, and Charles and
William might in all probability be his heirs,
and to this end their parents labored. Uncle
Richard had the best room in the house, the best
chair, the most particular consideration. His
wishes were deferred to and his advice taken on
every occasion, and he actually came to be loved;
for, with ali his quaint, old-fashioned ways, and
his habit of sitting utterly silent as though
he had been deaf and dumb, he was lovable
man. Matters progressed smoothly enough till
it was habit and not hypocrisy which made
Cousin Richard master of the house.
He was very Obligins -woaassh,lly 50 in
many re:rrects. Hs would attend 10 anything
feF ahybody-match ribbons when nobody else
eould=escort the girls To places Of amusement
go dhtifully to church with the mamma-at-
tend marketing and the posting of letters and
the gsesaeter, and The turning off of the water
II n3sty weather. He was always ready to
search the house with poker 1t the dead of
night, when any ono heard a noise.
He went to the dentist with people who want
ed their teeth drawn, ana always seemed to have
sugar plums in his pocket. But one thing
Cousin Richard co6ld not do, and that was, to
exhibit the least sign of politeness to lady WISH
tors.
He never saw one home. He never even spent
the evening in their company. He invariably
shut himself up in his own room and had his tea
there when one of these individuals was report
ed to be in the house and, when travelling, had
been known to shut his eyes tight when young
lady entered, and keep them closed until she
left the carriage. AS general thing, indeed,
ne always chose carriage where he need not be
intruded upon.
ut was Just as WE'LL after ALL" said Mrs. Hin.
kle, but it was popularity not quite as agreea-
bic to Mr. H., when he found the pleasant task
of seeing Miss Smith or Miss Jones home impos-
ed upon himself He urged that such duties
were Cousin Dicks, though he never told him
80. 1t would not have been pleasant to provoke
him, and if anything could have offended Bach.
elor Brown mortally, it would have been to in.
sist on his offering any gallant attention to the
softer sex.
However, day came at last which set the
whole household in connection.
Miss Amanda Dove had been invited to spend
week with the Hinkles, and Miss Dove, being
a stranger, was to wait at the station until some
one came for her in carriage.
The Hinkles resided some miles out of town,
and had not occupied their residence for many
months, SO that people were not always properly
directed by the neighbors.
1t was decided that Mr.. Hinkle should escort
Miss Dove, but before the day of her arrival
dawned, business had called that gentleman to
Sheffield. Moreover, Mrs. Hinkle had the inhu-
enza, and the two boys were at boarding-school
No enc was TO be found to drive, and neither
Rose nor Adelaide could hsndle the rsins. Miss
Dove was to come at nine, and what weuld she
think of them if no one came for her9
"Indeed," said Mrs. Hnkle, lit would be
shocking treatment for the dear girl. mus.
ask your Cousin Richard" .....
"You never dare, ma" said Rose, aghast.
"In such case, you know" said Mrs. Hin.
kle. r ,-8
Hell not do it." said Adelaide.
'Of course not" said Rose.
Mrs. Hinkle shook her head. II fear he will
not" she said, and, assuming an expression
which would have done credit to Joan of Arc
mounted the stairs to Cousin Richards study.
care you busy, Rchard!' she asked as sht
entered.
mot at all-sit down." said Bachelor Brown
"Iou see how i'll I am" said Mrs. Hinkle, %
and Mr.. Hinkle is away, and the boys too, ant
no one can handle the reins, and
"Well," said Bachelor Brown.
"And there is poor Miss Dove at the station
with her trunk, by this time" said Mrs. Hinkl,
with gasp.
'It't q favor-a good favor to ask, know,
she said, shut couldn't you just for snce dc it =
"Do what, Maria ~ asked Bachelor Brown.
go for her." said Mrs. Hinkle.
"For Miss Dover"
"Yes"
"Oh, dear, no" said Cousin Richard.
"But--' began Mrs. Hinklc
"Maria," said the old bachelor, "young ladies
my little cousins excepted, ara my abominaton
An affected, conceitsd, absurd set Of creatures
never had anything to do with them, and
never will. No doubt she is capable of findin,
her way here. They all appear to be. shan
go for her"
Mrs. Hinkle retreated.
What will she think Of 81" she said, sob
bing.
Don't cry" said Bachelor Brown; "Ill see i
any OF the hands over at Oats place can driv
over for her."
And out he went; but all the hands on Dat
place were busy with the hay, which stood i,
danger of coming shower. Richard returned
without the lea st success.
"A shower, too" said Rose. "Poor dear A,nan
da III see what can do with nay cousin"
And in the study she spent an hour, teasin,
aud worrying without effect:
''Let her go loose said Bachelor Brown,-"n,
doubt she'd like it, And as for her trunk, VIII,
cant girls travel with pert,nanteau, as we do |!
And Rose departed, pouting. Sine found Ad
elaide in an extremely merry mood
Don't laugh" she sad "think Of poor Arnau
da."
Il am thinking of her." said Adelaide, "ant