Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-04-26
CATCHING A BUTTERFLY.

KATE, love, who do you think contemp
lates visit to US, next month";
=" If it please heaven, not your Aunt
Emily, with her five unruly cherubs ~
replied my wife, upsetting her work-box
in her CONSERVATION.
No, my DEAR" / replied, with an in
ward shudder at the suggestion. "That az
least is spared us. This letter is from
Cousin John Durham.
Harvey!o
my dear, consider-we havn't seen
him for over five years."
Sand consider, Harvey, how much
more scientific and absent-minded he will
be than he was five years ago; he was
dreadful enough then. Do you recollect
his wiping his mouth with Mrs. Deans
point-lace handkerchief, mistakipg IL for
napkin? Or, how he salted his coffee in
stead OF his egg, remarking afterward,
with surprised countenance, that the
coffee had somewhat peculiar flavor
that morningg"
"Eccentricities Of genius nay love, as
Mr.. Pick wick says"
And o, his room!' pursued my wife,
unheeding the interruption, "think how
1t will look all the time he's here,
~.
bugs with dreadful Latin names, spitted
on needles?''
There, take breath a little, Kitty.
Why, 1 thought you were really fond Of
john"
And so / am. He's dear old fel-
low after all. But here's the rub, Har-
vey-COusin Floy is coming at the same
time. Now, TO bring beautiful, fashion
able 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 worth his no.
tice. It's ridiculous, for he's scarcely
thirty-eight himself.'
"well, my love, can only advise you
to get your rooms ready, and-trust to
Providencep'
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 tribulations.
why, Kate, Pm delighted-what a
queer genius he must be. I'm going to
Try and make conquest of him."
Kate shook her head, laughing. "II
wouldn't attempt it, Floy; you might as
wen III gry 10 nirt with an elephant"
I'VE shall see," said Floy.
Ne1t uay, about tea-time, John ap-
Peared. A fine-looking, although not
shouldered, with pair of verv dark. .orav
eyes looking out from black, oyerhaneing
eyebrows; black hair curling tbickly ove1
MS head, and a complexion deepiv EN-.
Drowned BY his long sojourn in southern
iand rather careless in his dress. and \
oreadfully absent in his manners-such |
was John Durham, the hero of nv story.
sy, LsiSy, looking her sweetest. in white |
Sau S Dlue, her blonde ringlets falling over
room. us ILL INC ora"lhg-
Kat, our cousin, Mr.. Durham, Flow - saws
Of % John, this is dear little cousin
..Ge5Miss Florence Bird"
olarce%u evening, sire" says Floy. as she
fh;s ten upward In timid admiration at
'nls TAI, broa'lshouldered genins " "'
inc ~ hor ~ ye DO, sissy, !" says John, shak-
s ner little hand very kindly. tbongh
scarcely glancing at her ss he does so
verst;o I augnsIi laugh-Fley, d. spite her
se1 se11allon, iaughs too. John stands Uraye
;n u puzzled, regarding us with wonder.
:. WY NY dear John" says Kate, at length.
q vo, v,u you aware you were introduced to
! ! yg y9ung ladyf Miss Floy has been cont,
whole winter" o"'
niles Ieg Ieg her pardon, most sincerely" re-
pra, o9;nh, oowing low, with degree of
e ,,ane IRONY In his tone, for his Second
s'anos AnS mas scarcely convinced him.
anu anu 50 we all sit down-Flov nont;no
lr;ns n.1e, maze rosy with the laughter she