Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-04-12
The Country Cousin,
BY S. NJ. HUMPHREY.

reading.
"Only think; to be bored for a
whole fortnight by vulgar country
cousin, and that, too, during the gay
season. 0 dear what will the Will
mots think? But there it is; I must
write her to come, for father has Civ
en- her pressing invitation-of course,
never once thinking she would accept" :"
And she seized her pen and wrote
pretty note, and hastened to the
bearer-who was waiting an answer
in an adjoining room-with a face
wreathed in smiles she presented it.
But alas ! not one syllable of her vehe-
ment soliloquy had escaped the gen.
tleman and. being a friend of the fam
lily by whom he had been commission
ed to deliver the message, on his re-
turn he related the whole affair to
Louisa Dalton, the country cousin.
On being left alone, the astonished
girl burst into tears-tears of disap-
pointment, indignation and mortified
pride. But she soon recovered her.
self, and wiping her eyes, seemed lost
in thought, when, suddenly a merry
laugh burst forth, and she rogui8hly
said.
cay, that will be fine; at all events
I'll make the most of my visit, and
the foolish, deceitful Emily Howard
shall find that her country cousin in
point of vulgarity, Is quite up to her
imagination. | am sure that it is but
fair that she should be punished, and
as to her opinion or that Of her as5o-
ciates, it matters but little to me-
True, it will be a difficult part to play,
but trust much to my powers of imi-
tation in carrying out my plan, which,
fortunately, according to the science
Of phrenology, are uDcommonly de,
veloped.
Could Emily Howard, at this time
have looked in upon her expected
guest she would have dismissed all
fears Of being disgraced by her, as
even she, the admirable belle, in point
Of beauty and accomplishments, could
not rival her. She was gracefully re-
clining on a luxuriant lounge, in a
rich and tasteful apartment. The
light Of the departing sun was stream
ING through the window, and the dam
ask curtains reflected deeper hue to
the rose tint on her cheek. Though
the traces of tears were still visible.
sunny smile played around the lips
Of Madonna beauty, and every feature
seemed radiant with the sweet light
of warm affection and young hope
Oh ! joyous, happy season, when life
with its varied charms, opens upon
the young maiden, with only rainbow
hues, when on the sunny landscape,
she sees no dark spot, no eclipse.
The father of Louisa had acquired
a competency, and being fond of rural
life, while she was still a mere child,
had chosen lovely sequestered re-
treat. Here amid natures sweet
adOrnings of flowers and shady groves
with tond father and tender mother,
she had passed her happy childhood
and here she had numbered her eigh-
teenth year. She was possessed OF
fine natural talents and, under the
guidance Of her accomplished mother,
had made great proficiency in both
the solid and ornamental branches
Although she had travelled much with
her parents, for one Of her years, had
seen much Of the gay world, though
admiring eyes had gazed on her, and
tlatteryS seductive voice had breathed
in her ear, she still retained that
sweet simplicity and love of nature
which ever sprang from a pure heart
Mr.. Charles Howard, her mothers
brother, resided in a distant city out
owing to a slight misunderstanding
between himself and Mr.. Dalton (the
nature of which will not interest my
readers the families had never been
on terms of intimacy-until within q
few months, did not visit-when Mr.
Howard, in compliance with his sis
ter's earnest request, spent a few
days with them at their delightful
home. He had ever fondly loved hi;
sister, and the attachment was warm
ly returned by her; so that a satisfac
tory explanation of the misunderstood
ing. which had occasioned the breacE
was highly gratifying to both, ant
they only regretted the reconciliation
had been so long postponed. Mr.
| Howard was delighted with the gen
ius, beauty and accomplishments o
Louisa, and could not forbear con
trasting the graceful modesty of he
manners with the lofty bearing AM
naughty afectation of his own beloved
child and when he urged an accept
ance Of his invitation, it had been will
the hope of beneftting her, not les
than desire for the congenial societ,
of his niece. He was aware that hi
daughter, having seen only rusti
beauties, had imbibed a foolish bu
strong prejudice against those who's
lot was cast without the pale of POP
ulous city, and he forbore making an,
comments upon their expected guest
as he wished to witness the surpris
of Emily, when she should discove
the superiority Of her country cousin
But at every mention Of the visit, th
fallen countenance of Emily betraye,
to him how unwelCome it was, and b
well knew that she was bitterly ar
ticipating many humiliating mortif
cation and trying position, to whic
her visitor might expose her. Sh
dared not complain to her father, 70
she understood his views too we'll t
expect sympathy; and she knew tha
he would require of her every poss
BILE attention to her cousin.
The expected day at length arrived
and, with a sickening heart, Emily
for the first time in her life, beheld
stage coach stop al her fathers mar
sion. As she could restrain herSeI
no longer, and forgetting her father
displeasure, with a scornful manne
and distressed tone, she exclaimed
"a dusty stage-coach Oh, pa, hoy
could you doom me to such annoy
ances ? and all for the sake of mis-
cradle country girl! What on cart
will the Wilmots say p
IL l.