Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-05-31
Cousin Percy's Double.

shire village there stands, away back
from the road, amid some tall, wide
spreading elm trees, an old-fashioned
house, wherein do eat, drink, sleep and
exist the Misses Grimwood, three eld-
erly unwedded females of shrunk- up
and withered appearance, who represent
with great credit, that class of human
beings known-in somewhat expressive
language-as the "vulgar aristocracy"
The Misses Grimwood were very pre-
else and particular, in their manner of
saying and doing things, for fear they
should appear "low' and impolite,
and too much like common people,"
to be regarded with that respect which
their great wealth and small brains
ought Judging from the way such
things usually are) to confer upon
them.
One pleasant day in June, the three
old maids sat together in large bay
window, that commanded an unlimited
view of the graveled walk, leading
down between to rows of trees to the
road, and the road itself that wound its
way toward the little village family seen
in the distance.
Elmira, my love-" murmured the
eldest Miss Grimwood to the next
younger, with an air of Incidence and
lansuor, that was supposed to be fash
ionable.
" Yes, my DEAR" said Elmira, with a
weary sigh, as if it cost her great eff
fort to speak at all.
"Do you suppose that cousin Percy
will come out to see us this summer :?
You know we haven't seen him for four
or five years, and I've heard he is very
stylish and so polite, and SO gentle
manly-I do wish he would"
{" l don't know, my love" replied El-
mira, 81 wrote him an invitation
nearly ten days ago, but have received
no reply. / Go wish lie would come,
he is SO wealthy and handsome"
/ " And has such lovely moustache,
Amelia wrote, said the younger of tie
sisters, who affected to be sentimental.
Cornelia," said Elmira, with a
slight frown, chow much must / re-
mind you that you must not interrupt
me while l am speaking? It's low, and
not gentecl. AS was about to remark.
/ hope our cousin Percy will come, for
he will make such nice match for YOU,
and you can get him if you are only
stylish and agreeable"
"And has our assistance" said the
the eldest Miss Grimwood, with a pre-
else air of superior wisdom.
Yes, assentcd Elmira, with bow,
land has our assistance.
Miss Cornelia simpered, and hid her
face in her handkerchief, and tried to
blush, but she failed, completely.
After this the three, having exhausted
their stock of ideas, became lost in an
absorbing reverie, thinking about moth
ing.
81 DECLARE" said the eldest sister,
suddenly arousing herself from the
state of imbeeility into which she had
fallen, and gazing out down the walk
to the gate, through which young
man, evidently cone of the common
people," was just coming. "I declare
what is that vulgar man coming into
our premises forq Go, ask that fellow
what business he has to intrude on our
private grounds, sister Cornelia."
"Oh! OH" said the delicate young
lady addressed, almost thrown into con-
vulsions by the monstrosity of so hor-
rid proposition. ell can't! He's
SO ragged"
II suppose that it is hardly proper
you should be seen speaking to such a
common person" said the eldest, with
a great deal of importance; =" but what
can we do? Our man-servant is not at
home, and if he keeps on he will ac-
tually come upon our front steps. Dear
me, do wish these low people would
know their places"
After great deal Of talk, it was final
ly decided that, owing to the extreme
urgency of the case, all three should
|
go out and accost the man, and ascer-
tain what business it was that made
him presume to defile the ground of
the Grimwoods with his loathsome
presence. ..~
Accordingly, the three arose, and
with very stiff and precise appearance,
that the man might be at once impressed
!