Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-05-22
Miscellany.



KATE. love, who do you think con
templates a visit to Us, next month";"
:" 1t 1t please heaven, not your Aunt
Emily with her tiye unruly cherubsm re
piled my wife, upsetting her WOrk-box in
her CONSERVATION.
No, my dear" | replied, with an in
ward shuddcr at the suggestion, that. at
least, is spared Us. This letter is from
Cousin John DurhaIhn -
What our scientific relative! O, Har-
veyu'
MY dear consider we haven't seen
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
iul enough then. Do you recollect his
wiping his mouth with Mrs. Deans point.
lacc-handkcrchief, mistaking it for a nap
kin? Or, how he salted his coffee instead
OF his egg, remarking afterward, with a
surprised countenance, that the coffee had
somewhat peculiar flavor that morn
ing!"
'Eccentricities Of genuis,' my love, as
Mr. Pickwick says"
And =, his rOOmin pursued nv wife
unheeding the interruption; think how
II will look at the time he's here, swarm
ing with snakes and toads, and bugs with
dreadful Latin names, spitted on needles ~
There, take breath a little Kitty
Why, | thought you were really fond OF
John"
and SO am He's a dear old fellow
after all. But here's the rub. Harvey
Cousin tIOy is coming at the same time
Now, 10 bring a beautiful, fashionable
young lady into collision with such a queer
lG irh I,
clash And John is SO absurd with Young
girls, treats them as if they were children,
not worthy his notice. It's ridiculous, for
he's scarcely thirty-cight himself"
Nell, my love, | can only advise you
% get your rooms ready and-trust to
Providencem
Three weeks after arrived our charming
Cousin FlOy. One winter of bellehOOd in
New York had left the roses still unfaded
in her checks, and her eyes as bright a
blue rs ever. There was arustic freshness
and piquancy about her, sayOring 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 aud make a conquest of him"
Kate shook her head, laughing. II
wouldn't attempt it, Floy; you might as
we'll try to tlirt with an elephant"
I'VE shall SEE" said FLOW
Next day, about tea-time, John appeared.
A tinelooking, although not handsome
fellow; massive and broad -shOuldercd,
with pair of very dark gray eyes looking
out from black, OyCrhanging eyebrows
black hair curling thickly over his head,
ana complexion deeply embrowned by
his long soiourn in n southern land rather
careless in his dress, and dreadfulv 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 over
her shoulders, awaited us in the drawing
room
Our cousin, Mr. Durham, Floy," says
Kate. John, this is dear little cousin
Of mine-1iss Florence Bird"
Good evening, sir" said Flov, as she
glanced upward in timid admiration at
this tall broad ad-shouldered genius
How dye do sissy" SAYS John. shaz-
ing her little hand very kindly, though
scarcely glancing at her as he docs so.
Kate laughs-I laugh; FIoy, despite her
vcXation, laughs too. John stands grave
and puzzled, regarding us with wonder
ing attention
NY dear John" says Kate, at length
''were you aware YOU were introduced to
young LADY, Miss Floy has been out
a whole winter"
Il beg her pardon, most sincerely" re
piled John, bowjng low, with a degree OF
grave irony in his tone, for his second
glance had scarcely convinced him.
And so we all sit down-Floy pouting s
little: Kate rosy with the laughter she
tries vainly to suppress.
Well Cousin John, we were all deeply
interested in your last article in the --
Monthly" said l, after a pause.
Except me- if you please said Miss
Tlov, pertlv, for | never took the slight
est interest in flies and grasshoppers and
such disgusting creatures
looked at the little damsel in aston
ishment; she tossed up her hands disdain-
fully. John eyed her as he would very
saucy child
"Have some breads" he asked, coolly.
Thank you," said Floy; perhaps you
viii have the goodness to pass my third
cup of tea without drinking it, Mr. Dur
ham; you have disposed of two cups OF
tea that We're on their way to me, al
ready"
Florence, despite her displeasure, could
not avoid little hysterical giggle as she
spoke. John, really coloring. begged her
pardon. and passed her cup. Then, by
way Of Cancellation, he addressed a few
words Of conversation to her.
What school are you attending at pres
cnt miss-AIiss Flora2"
Il have completed my education, sir" in
trigidly dignitied tone.
Indeed! | wish | could say as much,
Miss FIoy," is Johns dry reioinder, as.
with IN amused smile. he turns away from
her to direct his conversation to Kate and
me. When John chooses to talk, his con-
yersation is truly delightful-even Flov
sits enranced, listening to his animated