The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-01-09

stomach.
You would have thought so to have
seen him eat. Sausages, ham, pota-
toes, cabbage, and brown bread disap-
peared like vegetation at the time OF the
plague of locusts in Egypt, until he had
made ample amends for all past omis-
sion.
1t was showing when they left the ho-
tel, and showed thicker and faster as the
day wore away, but the travellers kept ON
going hither and thither, as they heard
of farmer Dobson's fat two-year old, and
farmer somebody else's likely yearlings.
I've proposition to make to you,
said Mr.. Wiggin, as daylight began to
fail. i put up at your cousin S last
night, what do you say to putting up at
nty cousins tonight, neighbor CobbY
Neighbor Cobb didn't know as he had
any objection, but preferred to leave the
matter altogether with him.
Then it is settled in few words We
will go, returned Mr.. Wiggin. 1 don t
know exactly for positive where cousin
Otis lives, but it's somewhere among
these ere hills and one thing [ am GER
tain about, we shan't be bothered with
any of that are nasty smelling stuff for
to light up the rooms with, and there
won't be more cloth and sllyerware on
the table than is needed, I'll warrant you
that. Cousin Otis folks ant none of
your stuck.up gentry, or am mistaken,
though l han't seen any of them these
twenty years.
The chase for cousin Otis house was
a long and treacherous one but after
losing the way several times, and buffet
ing fierce northeastern till far into the
evening, they came in sight of a dim
light, which was supposed to show the
haven they sought.
Mr.. Wiggin jumped from the sleigh,
and cropping his way to the door, raped
loudly with his whip-stalk. This call was
answered directly by a woman aud two
large dogs. The man of few words was
not long in making himself known.
Most obedient, ma am: Does Otis Wig
gin live here? If so, his cousin Nehe-
miah has come to see him from Massa
chusetts, and [ am the man.
Before he had finished speaking, the
joy of the welcome began. Sure enough.
Otis It's your cousin Nehemiah come
from the old Bay State in this storm a
purpose to see us; only think cn't!
Otis had already retired for the night,
but his bedroom and kitchen being one,
he did not wait to dress before joining
his welcoming with his wife's. well
now, [ never did This is better than
gold diamond, ant it, Hepsy? Who'd
a believed it Clean from the old Bay
State. We liant had such a treat as a
cousin to see us these ten years, have we,
Hepsy?'
Even Mr.. Wiggin, with all his power
Of lung, was overpowered for while, but
he took advantage ofthe first hull to say
he had friend in his sleigh at the door.
This intelligence increased the delight.
Think of that, Otis A1other cousin
come to see US! Two on EN- in one night!
Here, wake up, children, we've got cous
ms from abroad come to see us.
While trundie- beds and hunks gave up
an incredible number of white headed,
occupants, cousin Otis was at the sleigh
welcoming Mr.. Cobb. walk right in !
walk right in don't stop to knock off
the snow; | am powerful glad to see you,
and so is Hepsy.
So be, and proud to know you took
pains to come and see poor folks like us,
said Hepsy, coming forward with a
coarse shabby dress hanging in disorder
about her gaunt form, and not bit of
grace or polish in her manner; yet with
such cordiality and warmth of heart
lighting up her hard care-worn face that
she seemed almost comely to the weary
travellers.
The poor room, too, with its uneven
floor and scanty furniture, looked cheerful
and attractive, as the biggest boy raked
open the Goals in the great stone fire place
and heaped on wood, which sprang into
flames, and sparkled and reared mp tho
blackened chimney.
Cousin Otis put the horse in the COW
shed, turning the COW in fora night
lodging with the pig tipped up the
sleigh to protect It from the snow, auc
brought in the buffaloes to dry by the
fire.
He is cousin too. ism t hep said Hep
sy, looking at Mr. Cobb, as she proceed
ed to stir up johnny cake for their sup
per.
Not cousin exactly, but nigh neigh
Dor of mine, and most excellent one,
can assure! replied Mr.. Wiggir.
I thought we were all cousin together
but he's just as welcome, I'm sure an(
it is all the kinder in him to come out o
the way to see poor folks like us, tina
ant no blood relation to him. reptile;
Hepsy, putting the cake before the fir
to bake, in a spider.
When done, it was served with milk
and eaten with relish while cousin OH
and his admiring family looked on, con
sidering every mouthful eaten as an es
peclal favor and compliment to them
selves.
When the meal was over, with read
thoughtfulness, Hepsy rcckoned the
must be tired, and wouldn' feel like Wis
iting any more that night. L am goin:
to have you turn into our bed, said sh
Hospitality. We can get along we
enough to campo down among the children
1t would be kinder handy to have anothe
room, but hope you will put up With
seeing as we are all cousins together, a
it were.
WEAKNESS of body and clear cor
science brought untroubled sleep TO guest
and hosts, although wild storm of win
and snow howled in at the broken viii
dows, and down the wide chimney, unit
at the proper time, morning came, bring
ing with it fair weather, and breakfas
of potatoes roasted in ashes, and garnish
ed with salt
In honor of the visitors, the ricket
table was covered with sheet, take
from the bed and Hepsy ate her break
fast with large butcher knife and VI
alloyed satisfaction.
/ want you to grant me the favor an
privilege of giving my name to this er
little chap Of yourn, if he isn't alread
provided with one, said MIR. Wiggir
who had been bordering on some delicat
method Of recompensing his entertain
ers.
It's her, replied Hepsy. looking a
the scrawny monthling with afectionat
pride, and we laid out to call her Helps
after me, but it dom. make no odds, W
had just as loose save it for the next one
Call her Polly, then after my wife