The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-03-22
COUSIN JERUSHA.

that SUMMER CVculuS, ~ Ae'NA r
hot of late. The month was May, Tue :
place was Philadelphia, and am al.
most afraid to say this-lt was Cne
Centennial time. But donC De :
alarmed, my reader am not going
to describe the Great Exposition, nor
tell anything about it, nor slan 30
give any information concerning
of either this or the last century. l
only intend to relate an lncldenI that
happened to take place then ana there'
The people enjoying the breeze were
a family by the name OF Fenton, anu
consisted of a father and mother, TWO
gfown-up daughters, one grown-up SOU
and little girl.
Mrs. Fenton had just been saying
that she supposed they would soon be
overrun with visitors coming to spend
few days and see the Centennial.
"Well. let them come!' said Mr..
Fenton, heartily las he turned his paper
inside out. 81 don't know one that l
wouldn't be glad to see.'
"Nor - returned Mrs. Fenton.
81 am always so thankful that we
needn't be ashamed Of any of our re-
lations. There's sister Kate VINO
could be more delightful than she IS 8!
.sOh. Aunt Kate is perfectly SPLEEN
did ~ chorused the young people.
"And there's Uncle Phil and Aunt
Emily, said Mabel, the eldest girl:
"And Cousin Joe and his wife,
added Florence, the second daughter.
"And John and his family" put IN
Mr.. Fenton.
sob, if you 60 to counting up you
will naver oct through" said Tom,
the son and heir. "But l say,
haven't we any Objectionable connec
tions at all Isn't there some Old dur
fer who'll turn up just at the wrong
moment y
''No, haven't any, saio NIL eh'
ton.
"No.o-o.o,' said Mrs. Fenton, rub
hing her forehead thoughtfully :.
"Stop! | think | remember one. VI
course-cousin Jerusha! wonder |
didn't think before. But don't know
that she is Objectionable the fact is, !
don't know anything about her. She
lived way up in Vermont al her llie
She's niece or grandlatnei ailo
is an old maid; at least she ougnC "
be, if she isn't married or deao
Her name is Hevington-Jerushs
Hevington. always thought 1t sucl
a pity TO spoil such a fine name as HeV
lngton with JerUsha. | hope sh'
won't come ; I'm sure she must be per
fectlv awful y
The two young ladies had been look
ing at their mother in blank sllenc
ever since she had mentioned TIL
unpleasant relation Tom had gon
off in a fit of laughter, so that MI
Fenton was the only person wh
spoke.
"Well, if she comes, all we can DO
to make the best of it, and treat her
well as we know how
"Oh, of course said Mrs. Fen
ton.
Tom here looked at his watch, an
started up, exclaiming that he shoui
be late, he had an appointment, an
bolted off, promising to be home earl
Then Mr.. Fenton settled down for
nan: Mrs. Fenton buried herself
Lorna Doone," and the girls yawnt
over their Japanese canvas, tearing
dull evening.
The air gently huttered the lace Gu
tains, the mellow light shone dow
from the -globed chandelier up
the fresh white mating, the line
draped furniture, the pictures al
statuettes. the three ladies IN the
pretty evening dresses and the old &C
tleman snoring away behind his new
paper all was quiet as quiet could
when violent peal at the door-b
made them all nearly jump out of tn
skins.
.Who on earth is that - asked
Fenton, bouncing up.
Mrs. Fenton dropped her book
gave a scared look into the hall.
81 suppose it's MIR. Vanderpoo
said Mabel.
ooh, no, he never rings like tina
said Florence.
The old colored waiter had opel
the door by this time, and loud VIC
was heard inquiring, "Does Mr.. +
ton-Mr. Samuel Fenton-live here
eyes, ma'am, he does old Jal
answered, respectfully.
"Wa'll, then, guess III walk II
I'M seen the folks through the
der :" and, apparently before the
servant could stop her. the owne
the voice did ''walk right into
parlor-a tall, strong-featured won
with iron-gray hair, clad IN orilll
Uncovered dress that a bulging II
skirt showed to acknowledgement 81
of vivid red and yellow plaid. A
net of the shape called poke was
her head. and from it dangled a |
green veil. She wore gray &C
gloves, and one hand firmly grasp
iumpy carpet-bag, the other tat
bre,la. She looked comfortable
common from top to toe. She pc
at the group through her steel-o'
spectacles, and tucking her umh
under the carpet-bag arm. she ex
ed her hand, "Wa'al, now, | S
yer don't know me. IN JeI
Hevington-your cousin. Jerusha
The stricken family were d
Mr.. Fenton was the first to rec
He took the proffered hand, sho
warmly, and led the lady to
begging her to be seated ne coul
saw that she was welcome, but he
a. pooLo her feel as il she were.