The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-05-08
THE COUNTRY COUSIN.
BY :. NJ. HUMPHREY.

HOW DIONDhlIlA. fFitQ the CAV ana
beautiful Emily Howard, as she threw
aside letter she had been reading; con
~ think, to be bored for a whole fort
night by a vulgar country cous-
in, and that, too, during the gay season (!
o dear o dear What will the Wilmots
think? But there it is, | must write her
70 come, for father has given her press
ing invitation of course never once think
ina she would accept
And she seized her pen and wrote a
pretty note and Fastening TO the bearer,
who was awaiting an answer in an adj
joining room, with face wreathed in
smiles she presented it. But, alas not
one syllable of her vehement sOliloquy
had escaped the gentleman and he, be-
ing friend Of the family by whom he
had been commissioned to deliver the
message, on his return related the whole
affair to Louisa DaltOn-the country
cousin.
On being left alone the astOnished girl
burst into tears-tearsO disappointment,
indignation and mortified pride. But
she soon recovered herself, and wiping
her ewes seemed lost in thought, when
suddenly merry laugh burst forth, and
she roguishly said:
"Ay, that will be fine; at all events I'll
make the most of my visit, and the fool
ish, deceitful Emily Howard shall find
that her country cousin in point of vul-
garitV is quite up TO her imagination.
| am sure il is but fair that she should
be punished, and a to her opinion or
that of her associates, il matters but lit
tie TO me. True, ii will be a difficult
part to play, but | trust much TO my
powers of imitation in carrying out my
plan, which fortunately according tothe
science Of phrenology, are uncommonly
developed.
Could Emily Howard at this time
have looked in upon her expected guest
she would have dismissed all fears of
being disgraced by her, a. even she-the
admired city belle-in point OF beauty
and accomplishments, could not rival
her. She was gracefully reclining on a
luxuriant lounge in rich and tasteful
APARTMENT. The light of the departing
sun was streaming through the window,
and the danlask curtains reflected a
deeper hue to the rose tint on her cheek.
Though the traces of tears were still VS.
/ ible. a sunny smile played around the
/ lips of Madonna beauty, and every lea
/ ture seemed radiant with the sweet light
/ of warm affection and young hope. Oh
( JOYOUS, happy seasOn-a season when
1 life with its varied charms opens upon
/ the Young maiden with only rainbow
/ hues. when on the sunny landscape she
sees no dark spot-not even dismal
shadow.
The father of Louisa, having acquired
a competency and being fond of rural
life, while she was still mere child,
had chosen lovely, sequestered retreat.
Here. amid natures sweet adornlngs OF
flowers and shady groves, with fond
father and tender mother, she passed
her happy childhood; and here she had
numbered her eighteenth year. she
was possessed Of fine natural talents, and
under the guidance of an accomplished
mother, had made great proficiency IN
both the solid and the ornamental
branches. Although she had travelled
much with her parents, and for one OF
her wears had seen much of the gay
world. though admiring eyes had gazed
on her and flattery's seductive voice had
breathed in her ear, still she retained
that sweet simplicity and love Of nature
which ever spring from chaste and
pure heart.
Mr.. Charles Howard, her mothers
brother, resided in distant city, but,
owing 10 a slight misunderstanding be-
tween himself and Mr.. Dalton, (the ma
ture of which will not at all interest my
readers, the families had never been on
! terms OF anu unbli a
few months had not visited, when Mr..
Howard. in compliance with his sisters
earnest request. had spent few days
with them at their delightful home. he
had ever fondly loved his sister, and the
attachment was warmly returned by
her, so that a satisfactory explanation
of the misunderstanding which had oc-
casioned the breach was highly CRAFTY
ing 10 both, and they only regretted
that reconciliation had been so long
postponed.
Mr. Howard was delighted with the
genius. beauty and accomplishments OF
Louisa, and could not forbear contrast
ing the graceful modesty of her manners
with the lofty bearing and naughty al,
fectation of his own beloved child; and
when he had urged an acceptance OF hls
invitation, it had been with the hope Oh
benefitting her, not less than with de-
sire for the congenial society of his IN
teresting niece. He was aware that his
daughter. having only seen rustic hsap-
| ties, had imbibed a foolish but strong
nreiudice against those whose lot was
cast without the pa'e of apopulous city
and he fOrebOre making any comments
upon their expected guest, as he wished
to witness the surprise of Emily when
she should discover the superiority OF
her cousin. AT every mention 81 tne
visit the fallen countenance or EMMY
BETRAYED TO him how unwelcome III was,
and he we'll knew that she was bitterly
anticipating many humiliating morti-
fication and trying position to when
her visitor must expose her. she uareu
not complain to her father, for she I'M
derstood his views too well to expecf
sympathy, and she also knew that he
would require of her every possible al
tention upon her cousin.
The expected day at length arrived,
and with siekening heart Emily, iof
the first time in her life, beheld stage
coach stop before her fathers mansion.
AS she had great aversion to such We
hicles. she conld restrain herselfno long
er, and forgetting all fears of her faith
er's displeasure, with scornful manner
and distressed tone, she loudly ex-
claimed:
"a dusty stage-coachi Oh, papa!
how could you doom me to such annoy
ances, and all for the sake of miserable
country girl? What on earth viii the
Wilmots say?
The color mounted to the temples OF
Mr. Howard, and Emily's cheek blush
ed beneath the harshest look of reprov-
al which she had ever seen on his usu-
ally benevolent face. As she reluctant
ly arose to receive her guest he coldly
said: