Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-04-26
COUSIN JACKS OOURTSHIP.

The trunks were all packed ami corded,
and the carpet bags were all piled up in
the corner of capacious old fashioned hall
How melancholy they looked, those em-
blems of parting and adieus. Not even the
merry laughter of the two or three young
girls who were gathered round stalwart
handsome fellow of about thirty, could en-
tirely Danish an impalpable something oI
sadness from the scene. Cousin Jack va:
going away, the general mischief maker
tormentor and tease of the whole family
and old Mr.. Chester, sitting by the distant
window, wiped his spectacles every five miG
utes, and declared, pettishly, that the type
of the evening paper was terrible trial to
his old eyes
Aye, you may laugh, girls said Jack
applying himself vigorously to the refractory
lock of portmanteau Perhaps you may
one day discover it isn't such a LAUGHING
matter. Think OF the loss the whole tami
iy is going to sustain in my departure"
But you'll come back soon, Jack dear, >
coaxcd Minnie Chester, the prcttiest anC
most roguish of all his cousins, and the one
who kept up fire of practical jokes ant
girlish tricks at his expense.
There she sat on the biggest trunk Of the
collection, the brown curls, hanging about
her round face, and her eyes flashing with {
Curious mixture Of fun and tears.
I'm not so certain of that, Miss Min
ME, said Jack decisively IF I succeed
in finding location to suit me, shall prob
ably decide to settle permanently at Thorn
vile, and turn landed proprietor on my owl
account
Only imagine our Jack gentleman ot
property - laughed Minnie appealing to
her sisters.
Il don't see anything so very ridiculous
in the idea," observed the young man, ,ra,h
er piqued at the amusement of his fair rel
atives. AT all events there is one incalcu.
liable advantage that may result from my
departure.
And what is that, Mr. Oracle r
THE fact is that you have played your
last freak upon me, you tormenting little
mink -
Don't be so certain of that, cousin
Jack. said Minnie, shaking her long curls.
What will you venture | dou't bestow a
parting trick on you yet? All have.'
settled with you for several little pieces of
impertinence, bat pray don't imagine they
are forgotten, sir -
My diamond sleeve buttons to your coral
necklace that you don't impose upon me
within the next three months, Minnie,
said Jack gaify.
Done, said Minnie Girls, you al
hear the wager don't you? | always covet.
ei Jacks diamonds. -
But you won have them, Madamoiselle
How dark it is getting in this cavernous old
hall Shall ring for lights, Uncle Chester
And by the way, have yOa written that let
ter of introduction to Mr.. Thorne 2
''AlI in good time, my boy-aIl IN good
time, said the Old gentleman, depositing
his large silver bound spectacfes IN theiI
case. You young people are all in des
perate hurry. Tell Betsey to carry lrght
into the library. girls And Minnie, where
l. my gold pen? won't be long about it,
and then we will have a nice long evening
TO gossip about Jacks prospects.
While Mr. Chester sat in his easy, rec
curtained library revising the letter he haC
been writing to his college friend, Jabei
Ihorne, of ThOrnville, TO the effect that hi:
nephew, John Lacy, was in search of al
eligible piece Of land, and wished to settle
down as planter in that vicinity, and re
questing Mr. Thorne's aid and co-operaticE
IN the selection of the same, Minnie opened
the door.
Papa. there some one down stairs WIZ
wants to see you Immediately, for one min
utel''
Very annoying, said the old gentleman
Just as | was finishing up this letter o
Jacks However, | can seal 1t afterward
Minnie, suppose you glance over it and do
the is and cross the is; I'm not 80 mucl
of 4 penman as used to be-
And old Mr.. Chester pushed back hi
chair and rose from the antique oak tabl
to attend to the claims of his urgent guest
Olive Chester was brushing out the heav
braids of her luxuriant hair before the dres
sing mirror of her own apartment, tw
hours later, when Minnie ran in with
countenance eomically divided between dis
may and delight.
My dear Minnie what has happened p
exclaimed the elder sister, dropping he
hair brush and letting all her raven tresse
ripple down over her shoulders.
I've won the diamond sleeve buttons
Olive! But, sh. l didn mean TO- Wha