Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-03-11
BACHELOR BROWNS COURTsHIP.

Richard Brown had lived bachelor 70,
forty years, and declared his intention of con
tinuing in the state of single blessedness the
remainder of his lfe-greatly to the satisfac-
tion Of his relatives, the Hinkles with whom
he resided; for, be it known, Uncle Richard
was worth cool 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 two own cousins or their
children?
+ Hopeful as poor human nature is of longev-
ity, Mr.. and Mrs. Hinkle scarcely expected tc
survive their cousin, who was their junior by
ten years, but Adelaide and Rose, and Charles
and William might in all probability be hi;
heirs, and to this end their parents labored
Uncle Richard had the best room, the bes
chair, the most particular consideration. Hi;
wishes were deferred to and his advice taker
on every occasion, aad he actually came tt
be loved; for with all his quaint, old fash
ioned ways, and his habit Of sitting as utterly
silent as though he had been deaf and dumb
he was lovable man. Matters progressed
smoothly enough until it was habit and mo-
hypocrisy which made cousin Richard master
of the house.
He was very obliging-wonderfully SO il
most respects. He would attend to any thing
for anybody-match ribbons when nobody elst
could-escort the girls to places of amuse
ments-go dutiiully to church with theil
mamma-attend to marketing and the post
ino nf letta-s. aoa tI- @,-,-,-.--. = -.
ing off of The water in frosty weather. H'
was always ready to search the house witt
the poker at the dead Of night, when any on
"heard noise"
He went to the dentist with people wh
wanted their teeth drawn, and always seeme
to have sugar plums in his pocket. But on
thing Cousin Richard would not do, and tha
was, to exhibit the least sign Of politeness
lady visitors.
He never saw one home. he never eve
spent the evening in their company. lie ii
variably shut himself up in his own room an
had his tea there when one of these iudiVid'
ais WAS reported to be in the house; ant
when travelling, had been known in a trai
to shut his eyes tight when young lady Ell
tered, remain with them closed until she lie
the carriage. As general thing, indeed, /
always chooses carriage where he would n
be intruded upon.
sit was just as we'll, after ALL" said Ml
Hinkle, hut 1t was peculiarly not quite
agreeable to Mr.. e., when he found the plea
ant task of seeing Miss Smith or Miss Jon
home, imposed upon himself. He urged I'll
such duties were Cousin Dicks, though
never told him so. It would not be SO ple'
Q ant to provoke him, and if anything cou
have offended Bachelor Brown mortally,
would have been to insist upon his offeri
> any gallant attentions to the softer sex.
However, a day came at last which set
;, whole household in cemmotion.
Miss Amanda Dove had been invited
. spend a week with the Hinkles and M
Dove, being stranger, was 20 wait at
station uatil some one came for her in c
riage.
J. The IIinkles resided some miles out
town, and had not occupied their residel
;. for many months, so that people were not
ways properly directed by the neighbors.
It was decided that Mr.. Hinkle should
cort Miss Dove, but before the day Of her
rival dawned, business had called that gen
ma 10 Sheffield. Moreover, Mrs. Hinkle
:. v the influenza, and the two boys were at boa
4 i,g :hool. No one Was to be found to DIR
e, and neither Rtse ror Adelaide could han
IS, the reins. Miss Dove was to come at 4
a and what would she think of them If no
~ came for her?
w. "InJeed," said Mrs. IIinkle, 1T would
=. ~ shocking treatment for the dear girl. In
ask your Cousin Richard"
"You never dare, ma" said Miss Hin
aghast.
"In such case, you know" said !
: Hink!e.
aHe'll not do it," said Adelaide.
"Of course not" said Rose.
Mrs. Hinkle shook her head.
ST fear he will not" she said, and ass
ing an expression which would have
credit to Joan of Arc, mounted the stail
| Cousin Richards study.
"Are you busy, Richard 2" she aske
,e she entered.
me. "Not at all-sit down." said Bact
iiis s Brown.
. Mt "You see how i'll I am," said Mrs. Hi
"I can hardly hold up my head, much
:; drive, and Mr.. Hinkle is away, and the
: too, and no one can handethe reins, and
DWELL" said Bachelor Brown.
a And there is poor Miss Dove at the
a sas. ton, with her trunk by this time," said
.sIl. Hinkle with gasp. -. -
aAhr' said M-. Brown, "what a p
ILL.,, p.o,yr conId not understand