American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-05-31
Miscellany.
CATCHING A BUTTERFLY.

templates a visit to us, next month";
If it please heaven, not your Aun
Emily, with her five unruly cherubs!" re
piled my wife, upsetting her work box il
her CONSERVATION.
mo, my DEAR" l replied, with an in
least, is spared us. This letter is from
Cousin John Durham
what! our scientific relative, o, Har
veyr
MY dear, consider; We haven't Ger
him for over five years"
And consider, Harvey, how much more
scientific and absentminded he will be
than he was five years ago; he was dread
full enough then Do YOU recollect his
wiping his mouth with Mrs. Deans point
lace handkerchief, installing it for a nap
kim Or, how he sailed his coffee instead
of his egg, remarking afterward, with {
surprised countenance, that the coffee haC
a somewhat peculiar flavor that morn
ingln ---1
".Eccentricities of genuis,' my love, a.
Mr.. Pickwick- says"
And o, his rooml'' pursued my wife
unheeding the Interruption "think how
is will look at the time he's here, swarm
ing with snakes and toads, and bugs with
dreadful Latin names, spitted on needles y
There, take, breath a little Kitty
Why, thought you were really fond Of
John"
"And so am. He's dear old fellow
after all. But here's the rub, Harvey
Cousin Floy is coming at the same time
Nov, to bring beautiful, fashionable
young lady into collision with such a queer
genius as John Durham-they'll certainly
clash! And John is SO absurd with young
girls! treats them as if they were children
not worthy his notice. It's ridiculous fol
he's scarcely thirty eight himself"
"Well, my love, can only advise you
to get your rooms ready, and-truSt tC
Providencer'
Three weeks after arrived our charming
Cousin Floy. One winter of bellehood in
New York had left the roses still unfaded
in her cheeks, and her eyes as bright a
blue as ever. There was rustic freshness
and piquancy about her, savOring rather
of the woods and fields than of crowded
ball rooms and unhealthy hours. She
laughed merrily as Kate related her tribu
lations.
why, Kate, I'm delighted-what a
queer genius he must be. I'm going to
try and make conquest of him."
Kate shook her head, laughing. 81
wouldn't attempt it, Floy; you might as
well try to flirt with an elephant"
I'VE shall see," said Floy.
Next day, about tea-time, John appeared
A fiAe-looking, although not handsome
fellow; massive and broad-shouldered
with pair of very dark gray eyes looking
out from black, Over-hanging eyebrows
black hair curling thickly over his head
and a complexion deeply embrowned by
his long sOjOurn in a southern land rather
careless in his dress, and dreadfully alb
sent in his manners-such was John Dur
ham, the hero of my story.
Floy, looking her sweetest, in white
and blue, her blonde ringlets falling oveI
her shoulders, awaited us in the drawing
room.
'Our cousin, Mr.. Durham, Floy," says
Kate John, this is a dear little cousin
of mine-Miss Florence Bird"
"GoOd evening, sir" said FlOy, as she
this tall broad-shouldered genius.
"How dye do, sissy" says John, shak
ing her little hand very kindly, though
scarcely glancing at her as he docs so.
Kate lan ghsI laugh; Floy, despite hel
vexation, laughs too. John stands grave
and puzzled, regarding us with wonder
ing attention.
my dear john" says Kate, at length
"were you aware you were introduced tt
young lady? Miss Floy has been out
a whole winter"
Il beg her pardon, most sincerely" re
piled John, bowling low, with degree o
grave irony in his tone, for his secont
glance had scarcely convinced him.
And so we all sit down-FlOy pouting {
little !. Kate rosy with the laughter sht
tries vainly to suppress.
"Well, Cousin John, we were all deeply
interested in your last article in the -
Monthly" said I, after pause
Except me, if you please" said Miss
Floy, pertly, ''for never took the slight
est interest in flies and grasshoppers anG
such disgusting creatures" 81
i looked at the little damse1 in aston
ishment; she tossed up her hands disdain
fully. John eyed her as he would a very
saucy child.
"Have some breads he asked, coolly
THANK you," said Floy; perhaps yo,
will have the goodness to pass my thirt
cup of tea without drinking ii, Mr. Dur
ham; you have disposed of two cups o
tea that were on their way to me, al
ready"
Florence, despite her displeasure, coult
not avoid little hysterical giggle as sh,
spoke John, really coloring, begged he
pardon, and passed her cup. Then, BY
way of Cancellation, he addressed few
words Of conversation to her.
what school are you attending at pres
ent, miss-Miss Flora?"
Il have completed my education, SIR il
frigid1y dignified tone.
Indeed! l wish could say as much
Miss Floy," is Johns dry rejoinder, as
with an amused smile, he turns away from
her to direct his conversation to Kate ant
me. When John chooses to talk, his con
versation is truly delightful-even Floy
sits entranced, listening to his animated
descriptions of the new and strange coun
tries he had seen.
well, what do you think of your con
quest now?" whispers Kate, little ma
IiciOusly as tea ended we enter the mar
lor together.
"WhO wants to make a conquest of sucl
an old bear?" asks FIoy, shortly.
But next morning, 10 and behold! ap
peared Miss FlOy, in her simplest dress
her pretty fair hair braided round he
head, and an air of demure prOpriety dit
fused all over her little person. She greet
ed John with dignified humility. John
who had quite forgotten Yesterdays littl'
kindly, but took slight notice of her 9th
erwise. She tried to talk profoundly t.
him, and bored him terribly; and when
that evening, she approached him, bear
ing ponderous geological work, on,
passage of which she innocently asked
him to explain" John, am sorry to say
lost patience, and 'snubbed" our littl,
cousin shamefully.
"My dear Miss Floy," he said, yer,
blandly, eff were not afraid of offending
young lady who has completed her edu
cation 1 would advise you not to attemp
at present a work of this profound nature
Kate has in her library book entitle,
Short Lessons in Natural History fo
Youthful Beginners which, il you reall
desire to learn, you will find both anu:
ing and instructive"
Thank you, SIR" said Floy, colorin
scarlet, and making him a sweepin