Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-06-10
~ cousIE goHNp VIII.


Cousin John. Twin proceed to say I
have Cousin John. I'wiah I might
add that he has always been an orna-
ment to society and IN honor TO himself,
and the "flower Of the faznily.." A
strict regard for 'veracity it answers
my purpose upon the occnsion-forbids
any such observation on my part. I
am obliged to say that This masculine
specimen Of our ancient race was abSo-
lutely the fag end Of our characters.-
Seemingly, he was the recipient Of what
was left after furnishing the heads and
hearts Of all the Others. When the
grand danes, aunts or uncles desired TO
.. illustrate any particular vice, John was
held up rs the frightful example. Not
that lie was an assassin, . higbwayman,
or q politician. He Was simply . mels-
from Of carclessness and generosity.-
If It had not been for the good luck
which always followed him, he would
have made first class vagabond. Az
it was, he made out 10 be Q well dressed,
handsome, ''good fellow" Beyond that
he could not be trusted, and then only
when ones eyes were on him.
I was sitting in my solitary parlor
one morning. in monetary expectation
Of receiving an appeal from sister Jane
i. to hasten to '"The Naples, as the twins
were down with the measles; q sum.
mons from Aunt Hannah TO bid her q
last lingering farewell lingering is the
proper word, a. I had been through the
ceremony sevea times; an invitation
from Cousin Susan 4Arun over and turn
her black silk. Besides that I had my
own sorrow. Ny Tabby had been in
visible for two days. The evening be-
fore she disappeared she had refused
the fifth saucer Of milk for supper, and
appeared pensive. / feared she had
committed suicide, or wandered out into
this unfeeling world, because neighbor
Braw's Tab lad Tilted herfor Mrs. Ray 9
green-eyed, black, ugly feline she had
the audacity to call "Beauty."
/ Just then, rs I was bitterly regretting
I, that had not taught Tabby, from my
! own experience, something Of the 6ckle-
ness of the world, and mankind in par
: ticular, who could come laundering in
/, but John. Of course he upset chair,
: overturned my work basket, Knocked a
book off the table, stepped ON my wealth.
er-oracle toe, and tumbled into my best
chair with q crash. Then he reached
over to the stand beside me, and, taking
q pin, began to draw figures upon my
wood writing desk.
/. "Good-morhing, John," I remarked
"Say, Sebrina," he replied, jabbing
at his forehead with q pin, 81 am to be
married next week"
a.. "You surprise me, John"
Doubtless; but it's settled fact
I have purchased the little cottage on
the hill yonder; it is prepared for the
bride. Now l want you to 60 over and
make the place home-like. Have jol.
~ supper ready next Thursday night
when we come. You can Sebrina; you
have no husband"
"John," cried, 'it isn't for you T.
say. I might have dozen husbands, y
with a touch of pride. + 2.
"And all died Of broken heart" be
laughed. "But will you go a'' 'ai..
! Having survived in the championship
Of my own cognomen until / had ar.
rived at q respectable age. I was accus.
toned to being . convenience. I thinl
our family had habit of considerins
F; it q charity to make me useful. There.
fore I didn't say 'tnay," John.
In due time / went over 10 the cot.
tagc. 1t was cosy and pleasant, say,
that varnishv cdor which always clings
to new furniture. How the relatives
did run over the nev place. What
i comments were made! They ended ths
siege nj last by declaring, now thai
John was to be married, he would b
entirely lost unless hn wife had sui
cient decision 10 insist upon the turn.
ing of q new leaf in his conduct. And
a. he had been % neglectfal a. to con.
suit none Of them, probably she vas n
unsuitable person. -. -
! They came. John introduced me Il
"My Matte" with great flourish
Ny heart misgave me. "Ny wife Mat,
tie" was . tiny pink and white doll
topped with . profnsion Of light curl,
and frisses. When I leoked into he,
large. laashing blue eyes, / almost criei
~ I thought how SD they would grow
under Johns treatment. promised 1,
remain with them until Matte shoul,
become acqtainted with the place
She had left an immense number Of sis
|. ters and brothers-John was sare !,
marry into large fanily-and vol,
be lonely. -
For 8 whole fortnight everything NJ