Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1875-1878, 1877-05-09

Cousin Jerusha.
They wee all enjoying the breeze that
swept through the wide parlors that sum-
mer evening, it had been SO hot of late.
The month was May, and the place was
Philadelphia, and-I am almost afraid to
say this-it was the Centennial time. But
don't be alarmed, my reader; am not
going to describe the Great Exposition,
nor tell anything about it, nor shall I give
any information concerning rs Of either
this or the last century. I only intend to
relate an incident that happened to take
place then and there.
The people enjoying the breeze were a
family by the name of Fenton, and con-
sisted Of q father and mother, two grown
up daughters, one grown-up son and a
little girl.
Mrs. FentoE had just been saying that
she supposed they would soon be overrun
with visitors coming to spend few days
and see the Centennial. r+rsa rFf
tssWell, let them comet" said Mr.. Fen
ton, heartily, as he turned his paper in
side out. ~ don't know one I wouldn't
be glad to see.''
ssNor i" !" returned Mrs. Fenton. 81
am always 90 thankful that we needn' tbe
ashamed of any of our relations. There's
sister Kate !-wi1o could be more delight
full than she isY'
ooh, Aunt Kate is perfectly splendidr' r.
chorused the young people.
ttAnd. there's Uncle Phil and Aunt EN-
ily," said Mabel, the eldest girl.
.tAnd Cousin Joe and his wife, added
Florence, the second daughter.
'sAno John and his family" put in MIR.
Fenton,
s'Oh, If you go to counting up, you will
never get through, said Tom, the son
and heir. ssBut say, haven't we any OBJ.
jectionable connexions at all9 Isn't there
some old duffer who'll turn up just at the
wrong moment? A E.
"No, I haven't any," said Mr.. Fenton
ssNo-o.o-o," said Mrs. Fenton, rubbing
her forehead thoughtful'y. "Stop! I
think remember one. fcourse-cousin
Jerusha! I wonder didn't think before.
But I don't know that she is .objectiona-
Bile; the fact is, I don't know anything
about her. She's lived way up in Ver-
mont all her life. She's a niece Ct grand
fathers and is an old maid at least she
ought to be, if she isn't married or dead.
Her name is Hevington-Jerusha Heving-
ton. I always thought it such pity to
spoil such fine name as Hevington with
Jerusha- I hope she won't come; I'm
sure she must be perfectly awful!'
The two young ladies had been looking
at their mother in blank silence ever since
she had mentioned this unpleasant rela-
ton; Tom had gone off in fit of laugh
ter, so that Mr.. Fenton was the only per-
son who spoke.
fsWell, if she comes, all we can do is to
make the best of it. and treat her as well
as we know how
:'Oh, of course" said Mrs Fenton.
Tom here looked at his watch. and
started up, exclaiming that he should be
late, he had an appointment, and bolted
off, promising to be home early. Then
Mr.. Fenton settled down for nap; Mrs.
Fenton buried herself in "Lorna Doone,' -
and the girls yawned over their japanese
canuas, fearing dull evening.
The air gently futtered the lace cur
tains, the mellow light shown from the
many-globed chandelier upon the fresh
white mating, the linen draped furniture,
the pictures and statuettes, The three Ia
dies in their pretty evening dresses and
the old gentleman snoring behind his
all was quiet as quiet could
be, when a violent peal at the door-bell
made them all nearly jnmp out OF their
skins
"Who on earth is that?" asked Mr..
Fenton, bounding up a.
Mrs. Fenton dropped her book and
gave scared look into the hall.
Il suppose it's MIR. Vanderpool,' said
Mabel.
"Oh, no, he never rings like that said
Florence.
The old colored waiter had opened the
door by this time, and loud voice was
heare inquiring, s'Does Mr.. Fenton-Mr.
Samuel Fenton-live here"
eyes, ma'am, he does" old James an
swered respectfully.
"Wa'ali, then, 1 guess I'll walk right in
II seen the folks through the winder;"
and, apparently before the old servant
could stop her, the owner of the voice did
sswalk rig hit into" the parlor-a tall, strong
featured woman, with iron-gray hair, clad
in brilliantly-fowe-ed dress that bulg-
ing hoop skirt showed to advantage, and
shawl of vivid red and yellow plaid. A
bonnet of the shape called poke was On
her head, and from it dangled a thick
green veil. She wore gray cotton gloves,
and one hand firmly grasped a lumpy
carpet-bag, the other fat umbrella She
looked comfortable and common from top
to toe.. She peered at the groop through
her steel bowed spectacles, and tucking
her umbrella under the carpet-bag arm,
she extended her hand, "Wa'al, now,
s'pose yer don't know me. I'm Jerusha
Hevington-your cousin Jerusha Heving-
tom"
Tne stricken family were dumb. Mr..
Fenton was the first to recover. He took
the profered hand, shook it warmly, and
led the lady to chair, begging her to be
seated; he could not say that she was
welcome b11t he tried to make her feel as